Teaching Beyond the Book

When teaching to the “typical” student doesn't work, teachers can tap into students' areas of greatest comfort, confidence, and passion and teach to their strengths. Five principles guide this work, which involves learning to recognize diverse student strengths, helping students see their capabilities in a positive light, helping students appreciate one another's strengths, making learning a positive experience, and helping students use their strengths to overcome weaknesses.

The principles are illustrated by stories of teachers who learned to watch for and teach to their students' strengths, and they are illuminated by the work of researchers and expert practitioners.