Creating a Sense of Place in School Environments guides its readers to the characteristics that tend to generate a sense of place through children’s vivid descriptions of their school and provides a body of critical information that can be employed to design a better school environment that can imprint cherished childhood memories. The childhood school environment calls for special attention regarding the sense of place it creates. The sense of place in childhood both affects children's current quality of life and frames their lasting world view. It is well known that children's cognitive development is closely related to their place attachment to their surroundings, and that children’s adaptation to a given environment depends on how such place attachment can be created. Therefore, it is natural that people’s identity in the world is the accumulation of their experience of place while in childhood. Cross-checking between the imprint of adults' memories of places in school and children’s current "lived experience" of their favorite school place confirmed that certain spatial configurations, which the author herein refers to as "place generators" can generate positive attributes of physical settings that construct a sense of place and last as lifelong memories. It is an ideal read for academics, students, and professionals.

"Place: it's where we're from; it's where we're going. . . . It asks for our attention and care. If we pay attention, place has much to teach us." With this belief as a foundation, The Power of Place offers a comprehensive and compelling case for making communities the locus of learning for students of all ages and backgrounds. Dispelling the notion that place-based education is an approach limited to those who can afford it, the authors describe how schools in diverse contexts—urban and rural, public and private—have adopted place-based programs as a way to better engage students and attain three important goals of education: student agency, equity, and community. This book identifies six defining principles of place-based education. Namely, it 1. Embeds learning everywhere and views the community as a classroom. 2. Is centered on individual learners. 3. Is inquiry based to help students develop an understanding of their place in the world. 4. Incorporates local and global thinking and investigations. 5. Requires design thinking to find solutions to authentic problems. 6. Is interdisciplinary. For each principle, the authors share stories of students whose lives were transformed by their experiences in place-based programs, elaborate on what the principle means, demonstrate what it looks like in practice by presenting case studies from schools throughout the United States, and offer action steps for implementation. Aimed at educators from preK through high school, The Power of Place is a definitive guide to developing programs that will lead to successful outcomes for students, more fulfilling careers for teachers, and lasting benefits for communities.

Unlock a treasure trove of learning—make room for belonging in school Belonging is an instinctual feeling: you know when you feel it—and you really know when you don’t. Creating a sense of belonging in the classroom has a significant impact on student learning and well-being; it serves as a gatekeeper for other aspects of learning to take root. But how do we create classrooms and schools where every student knows they belong? This easy-to-use, illustrated playbook has you covered. 11 evidence-based modules feature actions and strategies that teachers can apply to help students feel more included. Interactive features such as essential questions and reflective prompts are designed to engage educators and deepen their understanding of the importance of connection and belonging in a student′s educational experience. Readers will find Detailed coverage of the 11 dimensions of belonging Evidence-based actions in every module to help foster belonging, balanced between elementary and secondary levels Interactive features like Essential Questions, Two Truths and a Lie, Case in Point, What′s Your Advice? and What′s Next? to facilitate engagement and reflection A highly visual illustrated style to promote comprehension and information retention By utilizing this playbook’s strategies to create environments where students feel a sense of belonging, educators can help improve learning outcomes and academic performance while supporting the overall well-being of their students.

An examination of the secret world of children that shows how important special places are to a child's development.

What would a school look like if it was designed with mental health in mind? Too many public schools look and feel like prisons, designed out of fear of vandalism and truancy. But we know that nurturing environments are better for learning. Access to nature, big classroom windows, and open campuses consistently reduce stress, anxiety, disorderly conduct, and crime, and improve academic performance. Backed by decades of research, Schools That Heal showcases clear and compelling ways--from furniture to classroom improvements to whole campus renovations--to make supportive learning environments for our children and teenagers. With invaluable advice for school administrators, public health experts, teachers, and parents Schools That Heal is a call to action and a practical resource to create nurturing and inspiring schools for all children.

First released in the Spring of 1999, How People Learn has been expanded to show how the theories and insights from the original book can translate into actions and practice, now making a real connection between classroom activities and learning behavior. This edition includes far-reaching suggestions for research that could increase the impact that classroom teaching has on actual learning. Like the original edition, this book offers exciting new research about the mind and the brain that provides answers to a number of compelling questions. When do infants begin to learn? How do experts learn and how is this different from non-experts? What can teachers and schools do-with curricula, classroom settings, and teaching methodsâ€"to help children learn most effectively? New evidence from many branches of science has significantly added to our understanding of what it means to know, from the neural processes that occur during learning to the influence of culture on what people see and absorb. How People Learn examines these findings and their implications for what we teach, how we teach it, and how we assess what our children learn. The book uses exemplary teaching to illustrate how approaches based on what we now know result in in-depth learning. This new knowledge calls into question concepts and practices firmly entrenched in our current education system. Topics include: How learning actually changes the physical structure of the brain. How existing knowledge affects what people notice and how they learn. What the thought processes of experts tell us about how to teach. The amazing learning potential of infants. The relationship of classroom learning and everyday settings of community and workplace. Learning needs and opportunities for teachers. A realistic look at the role of technology in education.

This volume brings together several leading scientists and practitioners from around the world to discuss the ecological and salutogenic design principles for creating a healthy built environment. These principles and applications are the most important scientific topic of health promotion that provides the context for a healthy lifestyle. The challenge for ecological design is to provide a green context for a healthy society dealing with built infrastructure that creates clean air, clean water, clean food, and clean land, which in turn are necessary for human health and wellbeing. In this book, these principles are intertwined with those of salutogenic design, which support human health globally.

"Arron and Richard Wood's successful method of engaging youth on the big environmental challenges facing our planet is truly inspiring. They bring renewed hope for encouraging activism by future generations. This book is about the evolution of Kids Teaching Kids and it's relevance as an effective formula for educating young people and motivating them to take action in their own lives both in and out of the classroom. Arron and Richard developed this highly effective model for Australian schools. The UN Works Programme is collaborating with them to integrate this approach into educational outreach to students around the world."--BOOK JACKET.

As environmental concerns become more prevalent, it is important for today’s youth to be exposed to green practices. The introduction of environmentally sound principles into educational systems and institutions helps establish a positive viewpoint on sustainability as well as promote green practices. Marketing the Green School: Form, Function, and the Future features the latest research surrounding the operational efficiency, financial and legal considerations, and effectiveness of environmentally friendly school systems, as well as the integration of environmental education curriculum. Investigating the impact a green environment has on student well-being and success, this book is an essential reference source for school superintendents, school business managers, contractors, architects, and civil engineers interested in the development and promotion of green initiatives in educational institutions.