Surpassing Standards in the Elementary Classroom: Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement Through Educational Drama: 330 (Counterpoints: Studies in Criticality) - Softcover

"The power of Lee R. Chasen's new book, `Surpassing Standards in the Elementary Classroom', lies in his compelling argument that learning is about integration. As an emotionally intelligent and creatively wise writer, Chasen provides clear and concise examples of how and why an optimal education must integrate mind and body, feeling and thought, play and reflection, text and sub-text. Chasen's important book is a must-read for all elementary school teachers searching for the best practices to meet the developmental, psycho-social, and creative needs of their students." (Robert J. Landy, Professor of Educational Theatre and Applied Psychology; Director, Drama Therapy Program, New York University) "This user-friendly text offers important insight into the practical ways social-emotional development can be integrated into everyday curricula. As a first year teacher, I found Lee R. Chasen's perspective to be inspiring and full of awareness in regards to the positive effect social-emotional development can have on students' intellectual growth, as well as building good character skills. Teachers will be motivated and enthusiastic about implementing these creative and realistic lesson plans in their classrooms." (Krista Granieri, Elementary School Teacher, Literacy Graduate Student, Dowling University)

Surpassing Standards in the Elementary Classroom outlines a new theoretical and practical approach to classroom instruction and student achievement in language arts and social studies. This inspirational guide provides elementary classroom teachers with comprehensive, easy-to-implement lesson plans and specific activities that engage and integrate emotional intelligence skills in order to empower intellectual understanding within the academic curriculum. The book would be an asset for undergraduate or graduate courses or teacher training programs that deal with elementary education, educational theory and practice, curriculum development, content and instructional styles, and is a valuable tool for elementary school teachers and counselors, administrators, staff developers, college students training to be teachers, and professional development and staff training seminars.