From Tired to Inspired by Mary Kim Schreck teaches strategies to engage students in literacy. However, as with some of my other resources, the strategies in this book can also be transferred across various subject areas. Schreck describes the importance of improving the quality of “talk” in the classroom. There needs to be a change in who is doing the talking and how it is structured. Teachers need to encourage an inquiry-based approach to learning and move away from interrogations. Conversations are a high-quality opportunity for deeper learning and teachers needs to provide opportunities for students to question, converse, and be active listeners. In accordance with 21^st century learning, teachers need to move away from the front of the room, both figuratively and literally. However, when teachers are providing instruction, responding with something as simple as “yes, and…” as opposed to “yes, but…” to a student’s response can go a long way. If educators can teach students through rehearsals (i.e: possible methods of solving problems), modeling (i.e: there can be more than one right answer), and role-playing activities, students can become active learners and use class discussions effectively to engage with the learning material.

Schreck, M.K. (2013). From Tired to Inspired: Fresh Strategies to Engage Students in Literacy. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.