Language can help lift or limit students. Based on brain research and authentic classroom experience, this book will help you get back to the optimism of teaching by reconnecting with the possibility of each student. From classroom practice to systemwide policies, readers will find strategies for shifting the way we approach teaching to cultivate the gifts each student has to offer.

Teachers and leaders will:

• Understand how limiting language stifles student growth and academic success


• Utilize figures and other resources to better recognize limiting language and replace it with positive language


• Reflect on the culture of your own school and improve collaborative work


• Access and analyze data that will equip you to better handle obstacles in developing your professional learning community


• Improve communication among all classrooms within your school or district

Contents:

Foreword by Anthony Muhammad

Introduction

Part 1: What We Say About Students

Chapter 1: Talking About Underserved Students

Chapter 2: Talking About Expectations for Students

Chapter 3: Talking About Student Motivation

Chapter 4: Talking About Student Data

Part 2: What We Say About Colleagues

Chapter 5: Talking About Taking Responsibility

Chapter 6: Talking About Research and Best Practices

Chapter 7: Talking About Teacher Individuality

Chapter 8: Talking About Collaboration

Chapter 9: Talking About Trust

Epilogue