Fires in the Mind

Teens talk to adults about how they develop motivation and mastery Through the voices of students themselves, Fires in the Mind brings a game-changing question to teachers of adolescents: What does it take to get really good at something? Starting with what they already know and do well, teenagers from widely diverse backgrounds join a cutting-edge dialogue with adults about the development of mastery in and out of school. Their insights frame motivation, practice, and academic challenge in a new light that galvanizes more powerful learning for all. To put these students' ideas into practice, the book also includes practical tips for educators. Breaks new ground by bringing youth voices to a timely topic-motivation and mastery Includes worksheets, tips, and discussion guides that help put the book's ideas into practice Author has 18 previous books on adolescent learning and has written for the New York Times Magazine, Educational Leadership, and American Educator From the acclaimed author of Fires in the Bathroom, this is the next-step book that pushes the conversation to next level, as teenagers tackle the pressing challenges of motivation and mastery.

Foreword by Dennis White ix 1. What Does It Take to Get Good? 1 Young people are developing mastery in ways we easily overlook 2. Catching the Spark 11 Kids tell what draws them in and gives them confidence in learning 3. Keeping at It 31 When do young people stick with something and make it their own? 4. Asking the Experts 55 Looking at how experts work, students make sense of their own process 5. Exploring Deliberate Practice 71 Young people look closer at what makes practice effective 6. Practice and Performance 87 Demonstrating mastery also helps students improve 7. Bringing Practice into the Classroom 97 Students imagine the classroom as a community of practice 8. Is Homework Deliberate Practice? 117 Whether, when, and how to give kids practice after class 9. School Projects That Build Expert Habits 135 Students talk about their most compelling curricula 10. Making School a Community of Practice 153 Kids suggest ways that schools can foster expert habits Appendix A: The Practice Project: A Five-Day Curriculum Outline for Secondary Teachers or Advisers 159 How to help students investigate the expert process Appendix B: Resources That Help Light Fires in the Mind 165 Inspiration, tools, organizations, and other resources The Student Contributors 173 Acknowledgments 177 About the Author 181 About What Kids Can Do 182 Index 183