Books with author James M. Lang

Employ cognitive theory in the classroom every day Research into how we learn has opened the door for utilizing cognitive theory to facilitate better student learning. But that's easier said than done. Many books about cognitive theory introduce radical but impractical theories, failing to make the connection to the classroom. In Small Teaching, James Lang presents a strategy for improving student learning with a series of modest but powerful changes that make a big difference―many of which can be put into practice in a single class period. These strategies are designed to bridge the chasm between primary research and the classroom environment in a way that can be implemented by any faculty in any discipline, and even integrated into pre-existing teaching techniques. Learn, for example: How does one become good at retrieving knowledge from memory? How does making predictions now help us learn in the future? How do instructors instill fixed or growth mindsets in their students? Each chapter introduces a basic concept in cognitive theory, explains when and how it should be employed, and provides firm examples of how the intervention has been or could be used in a variety of disciplines. Small teaching techniques include brief classroom or online learning activities, one-time interventions, and small modifications in course design or communication with students.

The inspiration for this book comes from the ancient Korean history of the Hwarang— young student-warriors who worked to strengthen their spirits as well as their fighting skills. Author Jim Langlas, an educator and Taekwondo master, presents seven principles that are rooted in the long tradition of Taekwondo and are also tied to modern character education: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit, community service, and love. Breaking each of the principles into four fundamentals, Langlas explores them through a mix of storytelling from the Hwarang and writing from his own former students, describing ways in which they’ve applied these principles to their own lives and inspiring readers to do the same. Rounding out the narrative are questions to spur reflection, discussion, and action. A background or interest in Taekwondo or other martial arts is by no means necessary for readers to understand and benefit from this engaging book. Its storytelling aspect—and especially the enduring appeal of traditional master/student tales—will resonate with teens of varying interests and backgrounds.

Your name is special and important. It has meaning and helps to define who you are. Without your name, who would you be? I don’t think you want to find out! But what if you woke up one day and your name was gone? What if all the names of the children in the world disappeared? Only a seriously bad character would steal something so precious. This is the story of the Name Masters, a top-secret agency responsible for building and delivering names to all humans at birth and then protecting them at any cost. Wilfrid is an owl-like creature and leader of this elite organization. However, he’s not perfect, especially when dark forces are at play as a routine mission of name delivery gets derailed. The delivery should have been simple, but a certain ordinary boy turns out to be not so ordinary. There’s a cupcake disaster that causes chaos for the Name Masters. Even mythical creatures show up, and their egos bruise easier than their behinds! Can Wilfrid and his team regain control of the all-important names, or will a deviant beast steal the identities of children worldwide?

Your name is special and important. It has meaning and helps to define who you are. Without your name, who would you be? I don't think you want to find out! But what if you woke up one day and your name was gone? What if all the names of the children in the world disappeared? Only a seriously bad character would steal something so precious. This is the story of the Name Masters, a top-secret agency responsible for building and delivering names to all humans at birth and then protecting them at any cost. Wilfrid is an owl-like creature and leader of this elite organization. However, he's not perfect, especially when dark forces are at play as a routine mission of name delivery gets derailed. The delivery should have been simple, but a certain ordinary boy turns out to be not so ordinary. There's a cupcake disaster that causes chaos for the Name Masters. Even mythical creatures show up, and their egos bruise easier than their behinds! Can Wilfrid and his team regain control of the all-important names, or will a deviant beast steal the identities of children worldwide?

A cockroach wakes up one morning and discovers that he has turned into a boy. Shoebag likes his life as a cockroach. Like the others in his "tribe", he was named for the place of his birth - in his case, a white summer sandal. He enjoys living in a Boston apartment building with his parents, Drainboard and Under The Toaster, although they've lost countless relatives to jumping spiders, water bugs, beetles, and the deadly fumes of the dreaded exterminator. So when Shoebag discovers that he's been transformed into a person, he's horrified. But the worst is yet to come. Shoebag is adopted by the Biddle family and renamed Stu Bagg. Mr. Biddle enrolls him in Beacon Hill Elementary School, and every night for one hour before bedtime, he watches television with Eunice "Pretty Soft" Biddle, his new seven-year-old sister, who loves the color pink and is the star of toilet paper commercials. At school, Shoebag tries to fit in as a human, while back home he tries to protect his insect family from spiders, cats, and the Zapman. Then Shoebag discovers a secret formula that could change him back into a roach. All he has to do is choose.