ASCD Arias Publication

Classroom environment is one of the most important factors affecting student learning. Simply put, students learn better when they view the learning environment as positive and supportive. We all know the factors that can threaten a positive classroom environment: stress from testing, lack of motivation and problems that students bring from home, for a start. What if we could implement some simple practices to buffer against these factors’ negative effects?

The good news is that we can. Encouragement in the Classroom explores the small yet high-impact changes that teachers can make to transform students’ school experience every day. Drawing from positive psychology research, educator Joan Young explains how fostering humour, mindfulness, resilience, curiosity and gratitude in the classroom empowers students to learn from their mistakes, celebrate successes and actively engage in learning. Filled with examples, this publication offers practical, classroom-tested strategies, routines and rituals that teachers can use immediately to defuse the negative effects of stress and create a stimulating and supportive classroom culture.

Encouragement in the Classroom is part of the ASCD Arias series of publications providing concise answers to challenging questions in a convenient format that you can read in one sitting and immediately put into practice. Arias books are the next-generation, immediate-need resources for everyone committed to the success of each learner.