This week, May 3rd-7th, 2021, John Catt Publishing is offering a 40% discount! That means that you can finally pick up those copies of Connect The Dots: The Collective Power of Relationship, Memory and Mindset In the Classroom that you’ve been meaning to purchase! Yes!!
40% Discount with code: TAW40
Thanks, John Catt Publishing, for this Teacher Appreciation discount!
What is Connect The Dots: The Collective Power of Relationships Memory and Mindset in the Classroom?
This book, written by Tricia Taylor with Nina Dibner (of PowerTools), leads you though a comprehensive and research-based deep dive in to three keys of educating: building relationships, helping youth maximize their memory, and developing/honing a learning mindset. Each chapter starts with a research section that lays the foundation for the practical and student-tested K-12+ grade applications featured in the second section. The chapters are rounded out with a third section that provides a professional learning session outline and related tips on the chapter’s topic.
This is the book you'll wish you had read years ago! This book takes into account new learnings in cognitive science, trauma informed practice, culturally responsive practice, and Social Emotional Educational Learning. I learned things working with Tricia on this book that I had never known during my 13 years of teaching (plus 13 years of consulting). I promise you’ll learn something new, and you’ll boost student engagement at the same time.
Fun fact: Tricia and I met while teaching in Bushwick, Brooklyn decades ago. Tricia later moved to London and our mutual respect and friendship endured. This book, many years in the making, spans two continents as Tricia continued to teach and consult in London, and I run PowerTools from NY. The book is incredibly relevant for both US and UK schools, and you’ll soon spot that the spelling is in British English. Tricia is now teaching in gorgeous Mallorca, Spain.
Should I buy Connect The Dots? (short answer: yes)
1) If you’re a teacher, you’ll appreciate the applicable, relevant and practical nature of this book! We bring the research to you and provide examples and activities for grades K-12+ that help you deliver pedagogically strong ways to build relationships, maximize student memory, and help student develop (or hone) their learning mindset. This book is like a manual- you can read through any section that speaks to you, without having to read the whole thing before knowing how to apply the teachings. Most importantly, it’s written by teachers (us!). We know that there’s no magic bullet or perfect classroom. We’re sharing strategies that we’ve used, developed, and practiced with real students.
2) If you’re a school leader, educational consultant, or professional development person, you’re in luck! The book has a Leadership section at the end of each section, with a Professional Learning Session outline right there! You can train your staff in the content, even if they don’t have the book. However, we find this book to be an excellent investment for your staff! That way, you’ll have a fidelity of language, a heightened level of practice, and a great resource you can refer to in PD sessions and classroom visits. Some schools use Connect The Dots for whole staff PDs, staff book clubs, department-wide guides, and for use by Assistant Principals to guide coaching. This book is going to help you support new and veteran educators alike.
3) If you’re in pre-service and will be an educator soon, this is the book for you! You’ll be ahead of the crowd by knowing the why and how of these three key ingredients of teaching.
4) If you’re teaching (or leading) in a hybrid environment, this book is key. Connect The Dots hit the shelves in February, 2020, a month before things started really shutting down and shifting academically world-wide. Although we don’t offer explicitly online strategies, this book is a great guide for you. We center building relationships, and take a trauma-informed lens, which is what all educators need at this juncture. Students need a sense of psychological safety and belonging. They need a low-stress environment where they can be taught to appreciate and enhance their self-efficacy. They need and deserve effective pedagogical strategies that reflect youth development (cognitively and emotionally).
A page from the research section of the Relationships chapter.
Finally, send us your feedback!
We’ve gotten great reviews so far from some top educational thinkers, AND we’d also like to hear from the experts on the ground: YOU! Write in the comments or email Tricia or Nina with your thoughts. Also feel free to follow us- Tricia’s Twitter is @TriciaTailored. Nina’s is @PowerTools_1