Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8: Teaching Kids to Succeed

In today's educational setting there seems to be a universal call for student engagement. The topic of student motivation is foremost in almost every attempt at educational reform. Recent research on the topics of motivation, self-efficacy, attribution theory, implicit personality theory, goal orientation, and resiliency has provided new insights about the malleability of mindsets in learners. Appropriate challenges and feedback seem to be the key factors in determining whether a student gives up or perseveres towards an objective. This book is written for teachers, parents, and other student advocates who want to help students become autonomous, enthusiastic lifelong learners. The purpose of this book is to inform adults about motivational theory, and more importantly, to give them concrete, applicable guidelines along with specific examples about what to say and what not to say to learners. The title, Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8, implies that failure in not only a possibility, it is a very concrete way of gaining ground. The author aims to change the conversation from today's. Failure is not an option. We can utilize what seems to be failure as the next logical step towards one's goals. Students need to be taught to view failure as a temporary glitch and a step towards success rather than as a permanent state of being. In layman's terms the author explains the research behind her ideas while offering down-to-earth, often humorous, real life examples.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Carol Ann Tomlinson Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Self-Motivation - What Is It, and How Do We Use It to Empower Children? Albert Bandura and Self-Efficacy Motivation or Self-Motivation? Try This TUH-tuh-tuh-DAH! for Kids Amy Chua, Author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother Adults Need to Work in Tandem With Children's Motivation Entitlement or Empowerment? Sample Adult Statements 2. Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) Mastery Learning Experience Lev Vygotsky and "Zone of Proximal Development" 3. Self-Regulation, Deliberate Practice, and Failure Instant Gratification and Its Implications Adults Modeling Self-Regulation Ericsson's Deliberate Practice Expertise and the Ten-Year Rule Failure? There's an "App" for That My Skating Rink Story Helping Kids Deal With Failure Adults Modeling Recovery Practices 4. Attribution Theory - Why Did I Succeed (or not)? More on A Simplified Version of Attribution Theory Learned Helplessness Effective Feedback The Littering Experiment Rosenthal's Self-Fulfilling Prophecy 5. Mindset - The Key to Self-Motivation Fixed Mindset/Growth Mindset Taking the Joy From the Artist Gifted Kids and Coping With Failure Fostering a Growth Mindset in Children Feedback That Changes Perspectives Conclusion 6. What Do I Get for Doing It? (Examining Rewards) My Parents and Rewards My Love Affair With Rewards My Aha Moment With Rewards My Reward Fiasco Varying Degrees of Rewards Paul Chance, The Voice of Reason Praise As a Reward No More Stars, Stickers, or Trophies? Really? Motivating Kids to Do Unexciting Tasks Rewards as Affirmations Conclusion 7. Autonomy, Time, and Flow Autonomy Optimal Learning Environment and Flow 8. Helping Students Stay Motivated as They Get Older Procrastination Helping Older Children Cope With Failure 9. Inspiring Young Children Wiped Out Be Careful About Indirect Communication Helping Kids Who Are Afraid 10. FAQs About Teaching Students to Be Successful The Story of a Phoenix Glossary Discussion Guide References Index

About the Author :
Dr. Debbie Silver is a humorist, consultant, and retired educator with over thirty years of experience as a classroom teacher, staff development facilitator, and university professor. As a classroom teacher, Debbie won numerous awards, including the 1990 Louisiana Teacher of the Year award. She speaks worldwide on issues involving education and is a passionate advocate for students and teachers.  Debbie wrote the best-selling books, Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers and Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8. She co-wrote the best-selling Teaching Kids to Thrive. In 1990, Debbie Pace and Lawrence Silver merged their families of 3 boys (Debbie) and 2 boys (Lawrence) as they married and eventually both earned their doctorate degrees (to form a “pair-a-docs”). They currently reside in Melissa, TX.  One of the nation’s most popular keynote speakers and professional development presenters, Debbie has given presentations around the world (including 49 states [Hey, Delaware, let’s talk!], Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, and Asia), helping audiences to interact with students on a more meaningful level.  While inspiring educators to enjoy the job they once loved, she reminds them of how important they are in the lives of children, their families, and the world. Through her writing and her speaking she makes essential points while sharing poignant stories and lots of laughs.

Review :
"This is the best book on success factors related to learning that I have read. Debbie Silver does a masterful job of weaving theory, practice, research, popular literature, applications, and personal experiences together to provide readers with a multi-faceted presentation on each success factor." -- Karen L. Tichy, Associate Superintendent "A truly fresh take on getting more from our kids! Read this book if you want to work smarter instead of harder and to bring enthusiasm back to your classroom or school." -- Scott Bailey, Principal "This book is a wonderful and dynamic weaving of ageless wisdom, personal experience, and research-based knowledge of the art and science of effective teaching. Her writing is accessible, engaging, personal, and thought provoking, just as good teaching should be. Read this book!" -- Chris Toy, Senior Partner "This is a 'must read' book for anyone desiring to help young people become confident, self-directed learners. Readers will walk away not only challenged in their thinking, but with a multitude of strategies that help students develop the internal motivation so necessary for success in today's world." -- Patti Kinney, Associate Director "The joy and energy that Debbie Silver brings to her amazing presentations shine on each page of this book. Every teacher will appreciate Silver's enthusiasm and positive outlook. Use this book to infect your students with a love for learning!" -- Dr. Danny Brassell, Author, Speaker & Founder "Debbie Silver's insightful book is a must read for anyone ready to embrace proven skills to help kids motivate themselves for success. Discarding practices that don't work, she illustrates parenting and classroom strategies that teach children productive habits, happiness and inspiration. This book will be shared and recommended for years to come!" -- Dr. Monte Selby, educational speaker, author, and songwriter "Debbie Silver's clear and effective responses to difficult classroom situations make so much sense, teachers and principals will use them as templates for decades to come. She makes connections among motivational theories and everyday practices that only someone with her intellect and experience can make, and she does it with a skilled storyteller's craft and a gifted parent's humanity. The book is revelatory." -- Rick Wormeli, Author of "Meet Me in the Middle: Becoming an Accomplished Middle Level Teacher" "Dr. Silver brings together the key aspects of motivating young learners that help teachers and parents develop self-directed individuals. She presents important frameworks in accessible ways along with actionable, proven techniques. Recommended reading!" -- Eduardo Briceno, CEO The book uses a number of case studies and scenarios where the reader is asked to make the best choices in terms of dealing with situations. It also includes a discussion guide which proposes a number of discussion topics relating to each chapter. These would form a good basis for group discussion or for reflective practitioners. -- SEN Magazine In readable, heartfelt prose, Debbie Silver offers pragmatic guidance on making all children independent, motivated, resilient and successful learners. I want my grandsons' teachers to memorize this book. -- Doug Johnson, Director of Media and Technology "This book offers real-world, humorous examples of the guidance teachers give to students to help them achieve and overcome obstacles, joining together success factors and their theory and applications." -- Midwest Book Review, September 2012 "Reading Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8 was like a breath of fresh air. THIS I can use to inspire. THIS will give teachers practical ways to approach their students. I just counted 18 tabs now in my book-each marking a place I wanted to remember or share." -- Julianne Scullen, Board of Directors 2013-2016