"This one will be dog-eared, highlighted intensely, and readily accessible on the corner of my desk. However, in the spirit of this bookβ²s call for independent thinking, donβ²t take my word for it. Read and judge for yourself. You wonβ²t be disappointed." --Rick Wormeli, Columnist Middle Ground Magazine, National Middle School Association Learner independence = student success! While every teacherβ²s goal is to help students become independent thinkers, determining exactly how to lead students toward self-sufficiency can be a challenge. This straightforward resource invites teachers to reflect on their philosophy of teaching and learning, and helps identify the key ingredients for creating a classroom that promotes student success and independence. Teachers will discover how to build on student strengths and interests and provide authentic learning experiences. The book includes checklists, examples, and tips, and shows readers how to: Identify practices that hinder independence as well as those that foster student self-sufficiency Engage learners so they can contribute information about how and what they want to learn Promote development of good work habits, self-motivation, resiliency, and peer-to-peer problem solving Strengthen studentsβ² critical thinking and inquiry skills Incorporate differentiation and formative assessments Infused with research and real classroom experiences, this readable handbook helps educators develop students who can solve problems and learn independently.