Teaching Kids to Thrive

Teaching Kids to Thrive explores the key elements of learning that go far beyond subject matter knowledge and academic skill measurement. The book covers what it takes to help students --all students-- move beyond merely coping and surviving. The authors aim to teach students how to thrive and how to navigate successfully whatever the future holds for them. The authors explore teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) skills as dispositions toward lifelong success. After reading this book, teachers will be more able to:

Use mindfulness strategies to help students focus and access their inner strengths. Help students build upon their existing ability to self-regulate and motivate themselves. Guide students in developing their growth mindsets so they can visualize their goals and make plans to achieve them. Cultivate an attitude and culture of perseverance in the classroom. Incorporate resilience practices into everyday lesson planning and interactions. Clarify what it means to be a responsible community member and help students internalize how they can be responsible students and citizens. Demonstrate how honesty and integrity can help build stronger relationships and foster a community of people who support one another. Rethink their capacity for empathy and employ new tools and techniques for expressing empathy to students and colleagues. Formulate an ethos of everyday gratitude so that students, regardless of their socioeconomic status, learn to honor the gifts they have and appreciate the pluses in their lives. Use the strategies, tips, guidelines, stories, reflections, and inspiration from this book to ensure that students excel not only in their academic skills, but also in their Thrive skills, which lay the foundation for a healthy, whole, centered, and grounded young adulthood.

“"Why should you read Teaching Kids to Thrive? Students today may be the most connected generation in history, but they can't find ways to connect with themselves. Dr. Debbie Silver and Dedra Stafford masterfully illustrate that "Thrive" skills can no longer be considered soft. This book evidences that learning how to control their bodies and emotions is every bit as essential to the modern learner as understanding how to control the devices that students love so dearly."”

"It is now time for student to truly thrive! Educators have been looking for a resource that puts the reality back in education. Silver and Stafford have done just that. The authors know about the importance of students understanding content, but they also realize that students must be optimistic, show integrity, understand empathy, and believe in gratitude. What we can learn from this book is that you may never lose a job in life because you're too smart; you get fired because you're not a nice person. Make sure you look at their examples and situations and try to change your practices within our classroom or school. Let's help our students thrive in all aspects of their life!" -- Jack Berckemeyer, Educator, Author, Humorist and Consultant "Plain spoken and practical with enough neuroscientific research to support what teachers and parents have been sensing but didn't have the knowledge to articulate." -- Dr. Susan Grant,Ph.D, LLC "There are no convenient, instant answers to solve tough issues in education, and no one "event" can make a difficult student easy to teach. Great teaching is hard work. This book lays out a brilliant process for building Thrive skills. Read the book. Practice the skills. Practice patience and perseverance. Enjoy the rewards." -- Dr. Monte Selby "I am doing backflips over having this book in my life! I work with teachers every day and every day I field questions on how to support learners in being open and present for learning. It is true-- we are educating a different type of learner than those of earlier generations. And so our teaching must shift, remembering that we teach children, not curriculum. Silver and Stafford have written the guide to working with this new generation of students; one which begins with the social-emotional health of each learner. They tackle head-on the most challenging and real moments of teaching, creating a research-based, practical, tried-and-true (yet cutting edge) handbook to simply and powerfully show learners how to ground and bloom. While this book focuses on students, the outcomes will bring joy, fulfillment, and gratitude to teachers. I have been waiting for this book without knowing it and now it will be my go-to resource and recommended text on teaching students how to thrive in all educational settings and in life." -- Patty McGee, Author/Consultant "Silver and Stafford have answered the question educators have asked time and again: "How, exactly, do I create a classroom culture conducive to growth, collaboration and critical thinking?" The book explores the importance of resilience, empathy, persistence and skills related to active listening to creating the mindset that will nurture and accelerate the continuous-improvement process. These are not "soft skills" that live on the periphery of textbook-driven, correct-answer-seeking lessons. They are life skills students need to practice - and teachers need to model - on the road to success in school, college, the workplace, and in a democracy. This is an eminently practical resource with enough research, examples, frequently asked questions, exercises, stories and humor for all educators; and all educators should have a copy of this book." -- Ron Nash, Author/Consultant "Teaching Kids To Thrive: Essential Skills For Success is an excellent practical guide for educators who want to apply the ideas of Social Emotional Learning to their classroom." -- Larry Ferlazzo, Teacher, Author and Education Week Teacher advice blogger -- Jared Covili, Author "In college courses, education students learn how to teach academic content. In Teaching Kids to Thrive, Silver and Stafford emphasize the importance of also teaching students. In a world changing at a pace rarely seen in human history, merely learning coursework won't be enough. Today's children need to be prepared to face challenges, and have the capacity to flourish, regardless of what life throws at them. Thrive has teacher-friendly strategies and support that allow even the most experienced educators to see real cognitive, social, and emotional growth in their students." -- Cheryl Mizerny, Educator and Blogger "'Good teachers teach subjects. Great teachers teach students.'" This often repeated quote of unknown origin typifies both the authors of this book and the intent of the book's content. In a world where "all data counts but all that counts in not data" Debbie Silver and Dedra Stafford provide guidance and important information on how teachers can teach students some of the most important of all lessons, things that do not become part of the data base which too often defines students. Teaching students to Thrive guides teachers in how to incorporate essential social and emotional skills into daily routines. These are the essential skills students need in order to realize their potential not only as students but as successful and fulfilled members of society. As well as essential information, the authors incorporate practical activity guides to enable teachers to help their students become more successful in school and in life. Anecdotes, examples, and practical activities guide the reader to become more adept in incorporating social and emotional learning skills into everyday classroom environments. This book is a must-read for all teachers who harbor the desire to help their students develop the skills to successfully navigate not only school but life itself." -- Duane Inman, Ph.D., Professor of Education "Hoorah! Here is help with the overlooked aspects of teaching that matter most. Don't just read it, study it, live with it, and you too will thrive." -- John Lounsbury, Dean Emeritus "Debbie Silver and Debra Stafford go to the heart of schooling students in this century - addressing the power of mindfulness, the value of empathy, and boosting the resilience of young people at a time the world requires such a skill the most. Using relatable stories and strategies the goal to help students THRIVE is central in every chapter. Like a favorite piece of music, the authors' passion for education is extremely contagious and memorable." -- Jennifer Buchanan, MBA, MTA "There are some books that you pick up and just cannot put down. Well, this is one of them. If you are ready to move beyond grit, then Teaching Kids to Thrive is the linchpin needed in every school system. The authors provide relevant research to build their case and share easy and simple teacher-approved strategies that can be used immediately. Any stakeholder in education who wants to transform school culture must make Teaching Kids to Thrive required reading." -- Simon T. Bailey and Marceta Reilly, Authors "Reading Teaching Kids to Thrive was like feeding my brain with PopRocks! It had me captivated, wondering, and marveling...all at the same time. Debbie and Dedra provide insightful research, actionable skills, and inspirational stories, while recognizing the voices of students and teachers at the turn of every page." -- Dr. Russell J. Quaglia, Executive Director "Teaching Kids to Thrive: Essential Skills for Success is a book that not only argues effectively for including social and emotional learning in every classroom, it also shows teachers how to do it. Debbie Silver and Dedra Stafford demonstrate how SEL instruction can be woven into all subject areas at every level of preK-12 education. They descriptively outline what SEL-friendly classrooms look like, and they provide a wealth of tools and strategies for educators who want to teach beyond the standards. I recommend this book for new and veteran teachers alike who want to help students learn to thrive both now and throughout their future lives." -- Todd Whitaker, Professor of Educational Leadership "The 2017-2018 school year started off with a great excitement in Roxbury this year! With the support of Corwin, our district was delighted to welcome Mrs. Debbie Silver, author of Teaching Kids to Thrive, Deliberate Optimism, and Fall Down 7 Times, Get up 8, as keynote speaker. She delivered an exhilarating address to over 500 staff members getting them excited about the prospect of a new school year, mindfulness strategies, and self-efficacy. She then led independent breakout sessions for our elementary and secondary populations with a focus on stress management and deliberate optimism. I can't imagine a better way to have kicked off our school year and gotten our staff excited about the return of our students than Debbie. She was entertaining, heart-warming, and knowledgeable, what a perfect combination. I would recommend Debbie to any school looking to establish these skills without hesitation." -- Charles Seipp

Learn more about Debbie Silver's PD offerings

Debbie Silver is truly a "teacher's teacher!" She is a former science teacher and an award-winning educator with 30 years experience as a classroom teacher, staff development instructor, and university professor. Her numerous recognitions include being named the 1990 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year and the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus from the College of Education at Louisiana Tech University. Along the way she has taught almost every grade level and most every kind of student.

Debbie is one of the most popular keynoters and professional development presenters in the United States. Audiences everywhere respond to her use of humor and sensitivity to remind them of how important teachers are in the lives of children. Her insights into student and teacher behavior are extraordinary. Through research-based theory, poignant stories, and hilarious characterizations she connects with the souls of all who are involved in education.

Dr. Silver has been an invited author for several educational journals and has given keynotes at state, national, and international conferences in 49 states, throughout Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, and Asia.

Debbie is the author of the bestselling book, Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers: Finding the Rhythm for Differentiated Learning. She is a co-author of Because You Teach and Middle School Matters. Songs she co-wrote with Monte Selby are featured on his latest cds. She and her husband, Dr. Lawrence Silver, have five grown sons, three daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren (so far). They live with two dogs in Melissa, Texas.

Debbie can be reached through her website:

Dedra Stafford is a dedicated consultant and a proud member of the Association of Middle Level Education and National Association of Secondary School Principals Speakers Cadres. She is an Educational Speaker and has presented at international, national, state, and local conferences across the nation including NMSA (National Middle School Association) sharing inspirational ideas, from technology to school climate. Dedra is passionate about providing quality staff development for educators. She an internationally known speaker, trainer and author in the educational world. Dedra creates entertaining workshops that get crowds energized, motivated, and inspired to be their 'best' for the students they serve. As a former classroom teacher, she understands the need for professional development where practical ideas can be implemented immediately into the classroom. She creates fun-filled workshops designed to be hands-on and interactive. Dedra has a unique ability to put educators at ease as she teaches concepts and beliefs incorporated with humor in a user friendly way. She speaks on the topics of about technology, climate, curriculum, and classroom techniques resulting in her audience laughing, learning, and having new enthusiasm for their work.

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