Engaging 'Tweens and Teens: A Brain-Compatible Approach to Reaching Middle and High School Students

"A must read for all educators who want to get inside the teenage brain."
―Eric Jensen, Author and Consultant

"Masterfully distills brain research into easily understood concepts, connecting each to simple teaching methods that lead to peak academic performance."
―Jeff Haebig, President, Wellness Quest

Make connections in the adolescent brain!

Teachers and parents know all too well that teens are one of the most unpredictable forces of nature. Armed with a solid understanding of subject matter and the very best of intentions, even the most skillful teachers face roadblocks in decoding the frustrating and often puzzling behavior of adolescents. New findings in brain research, however, are shedding light on teenage behavior. In this much-needed book, author Raleigh Philp incorporates what′s known about neurobiology and illustrates practical methods for creating meaningful learning experiences.

Guiding middle and high school teachers through brain-based educational practice, Engaging Tweens and Teens explores:

• Common emotional states of students in grades 6–12
• Effective techniques that prevent students from mentally checking out
• Familiar technologies to engage learners, such as blogs, wikis, and iPods
• Music as part of classroom instruction―from classical to pop to hip hop
• Risk-taking behaviors such as violence and substance abuse

Combining what the heart says with knowledge of how the adolescent brain works, teachers are sure to improve the social and academic outcomes of their students.

Raleigh Philp has taught at every level of public and private school from grade school through graduate school. Currently, he is a consultant for the California State Department of Education’s health related programs, and an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, teaching science and health methods courses in the graduate school of education.

Over the last decade, Raleigh has devoted his academic efforts to studying the literature on brain research.  He is primarily interested in the application of neuroscience to learning. He is committed to helping educators better understand adolescent brain development so they may focus their instruction to reach students with varied learning methods. Raleigh has presented brain-compatible learning workshops and been a keynote speaker at universities, county offices of education, and school districts throughout California, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming. He is a past recipient of the California Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, as well as a Fulbright grant.