Surviving the Move and Learning to Thrive: Tools for Success in Secondary Schools, Grades 6-12

Surviving the Move and Learning to Thrive: Tools for Success in Secondary Schools, Grades 6-12 is collection of seven chapters that provide tools for all students, especially struggling and reluctant learners, to find a better path to learning while moving through middle and high school. Each chapter addresses critical areas of need from learning styles to parent involvement in a way that is easy to understand and implement. This text helps students and parents move with teachers from grade level to grade level with a greater ease and higher capability to secure success.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Prologue Chapter 3 Chapter One – Transition With Style Chapter 4 Chapter Two – Jump Start With Textbook Feature Analysis Chapter 5 Chapter Three – Listen, Take Note, and Learn Chapter 6 Chapter Four – Establishing Study Habits Chapter 7 Chapter Five – Content Comprehension Strategies Chapter 8 Chapter Six – Become a Strategic Reader Chapter 9 Chapter Seven – Parents and Students Secure Success Chapter 10 Appendix A – Textbook Feature Analysis Guide Chapter 11 Appendix B – Active Listeners Report the Facts Chapter 12 Appendix C – Active Listeners Research Chapter 13 Appendix D – Organize with Outlines Chapter 14 Appendix E – Cause and Effect Flowcharts Chapter 15 Appendix F – Survey Data (9-12) Results 2010-2011 Chapter 16 Appendix G – High Interest Book Recommendations

About the Author :
Lisa A. Fisher is a literacy leader for Pasco County Schools in Florida and an adjunct instructor at Pasco-Hernando Community College. She believes that every student can learn to use literacy to be successful in school and life.

Review :
The transition years have traditionally derailed many students. This book shines a light on this challenge and discusses practical ways to help students transition successfully. Lisa Fisher draws on her extensive experience as a practitioner to suggest tools and strategies that teachers can readily incorporate into their own classrooms. The book is full of ideas and resources that busy teachers can easily access and implement to improve student outcomes. Parents have a great impact on their children, and I love how this book discusses modeling as an appropriate strategy. Our children look up to us every day and are watching us even when we don't realize it, so we must model good reading strategies, have meaningful discussions, and take the time to listen to them. The more we model this behavior, the more our children will become successful students in the classroom. A great guide for parents looking to become more involved in their children's studies! Lisa Fisher's book on helping the student transition to middle school or high school is very helpful for both beginning and veteran teachers. The chapters range from exploring methods of getting to know the students in order to reach them better to addressing note-taking which includes clever ideas such as the 'Parking Lot' sticky notes idea. Lisa blends her expertise of the reading specialist with a clear understanding of the student's point of view.