Freedom to Learn - Annotated by Art Willans & Cari Williams (Paperback)

About the Book

Freedom to Learn combines an application of behavioral science and neuropsychology to create a powerful process for classroom environments in which the universal needs of children are met and students want to succeed. Packed with practical teaching methods this guide gives teachers the tools to transform even difficult classrooms.

Book Synopsis

Ditch the behavioral charts and start teaching for universal success

Disinterested students and behavioral problems are all too common in schools. Yet results show that behavior charts and other reward-and-punishment systems simply don't work. Teachers are burning out and students are failing. But what can be done?

The secret lies in a unique combination of behavioral science, neuropsychology, and group dynamics. When teachers get the classroom experience right, students want to succeed and achieve to their potential, while behavioral problems largely vanish.

For decades, it has been widely accepted that children have motivating needs including the need to avoid pain, a need for autonomy, and the need to belong. The authors harness these motivations into a method of interactions that increases cooperation, and in which children want to succeed and help others to thrive.

Packed with real classroom examples and practical guidance for using the methods, this guide gives teachers the tools to transform even difficult classrooms.

Start teaching for universal success in classroom management and academic accomplishments.

From the Back Cover

Ditch the behavioral charts and start teaching for universal success

I was hooked on the book on the first page of the preface. -- Dr. Stan Paine, former National Distinguished Principal and Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year

Provides a comprehensive and flexible means of managing psychological and physical needs in children to motivate growth through effective learning. A must read, must know, must teach. -- Dr. Dustin Marsh, Psy.D.

DISINTERESTED STUDENTS and behavioral problems are all too common in schools. Yet results show that behavior charts and other reward and punishment systems simply don't work. Teachers are burning out and students are failing. But what can be done?

The solution lies in a unique combination of behavioral science, neuropsychology, and group dynamics. When teachers get the classroom experience right, students want to succeed and achieve to their potential, while behavioral problems largely vanish.

For decades, it has been widely accepted that children have motivating needs including the need to avoid pain, a need for autonomy, and the need to belong. The authors harness these motivations into interactive methods that enhance cooperation and develop children who want to succeed and help others thrive.

Packed with real classroom examples and practical guidance for using the methods, this guide gives teachers the tools to transform even difficult classrooms. Start teaching for universal success in classroom management and academic accomplishments.

Holds the wisest, most reasonable, and compassionate treatment for every student. -- Karen M. Smith, M.Ed, Ed.S, National Certified School Counselor

Dr. Art Willans holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in education and a Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology. He operates a preschool/therapeutic preschool, where he has refined his revolutionary methods. He and his wife live in Reno, NV.

Cari Williams is a teacher with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Special Education K-12. She lives in Reno, NV with her husband and three children.

About the Author

Dr. Art Willans holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in education from Emporia State University and a Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology from the University of Kansas. He has taught in the fields of education, special education, psychology, and child development, and administered several programs including a shelter for abused and neglected children and residential homes for behaviorally disordered children. He operates a preschool/therapeutic preschool, where he has refined his revolutionary methods. Art and his wife live in Reno, NV, and during the summer can often be found hiking trails high above Lake Tahoe.

Cari Williams is a teacher with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Special Education K-12, and an endorsement in Early Childhood/Special Education from the University of Nevada, Reno. She met Dr. Willans when she interviewed for a position at his school and learned the basic methods in the book from him, while going on to make significant contributions to the methodology. Cari's professional experience includes serving as a Special Education Resource teacher for students from kindergarten through sixth grade, teaching Early Childhood Special Education, and currently teaching kindergarten. The concept for this book originated from her remarkable success in getting students to excel academically. Cari lives in Reno, NV with her husband and three children.