Peter Johnston talks about writing Opening Minds

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Peter Johnston is a Professor Emeritus at the University at Albany. His recent research has focused on the consequences of teachers’ classroom talk for the ways children learn and experience themselves and each other, and how engaged reading influences children’s social, emotional, moral and academic development. A member of the International Reading Association’s Literacy Research Panel and the Reading Hall of Fame, he received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activities. His book Choice Words, was recently awarded the P. David Pearson Scholarly Influence Award by the Literacy Research Association for having “demonstrably and positively influenced literacy teaching in classrooms and districts nationally.” His newest book is Opening Minds.

Opening Minds:  Using language to change lives

Research shows that the classroom talk and student engagement affect children’s learning and development, individually and collectively, and the qualities of the learning community.  The session will show how apparently small changes in classroom practice can affect student learning and leverage larger changes in school behavior, self-regulation, literacy learning, and, among other things, happiness (yes, happiness).