Feeling emotionally safe and having a way to connect learning to life are conditions that boost achievement. The authors' immigrant English language-learning students have told them these emotional supports are crucial. Mountain Valley School District in Colorado, which has recently increased the number of its immigrant students, took these…

A former surgeon has revealed that nutrition and exercise have positive effects on the school environment and also on student academic achievement. Some of the guidelines and recommendations for physical activity that can be adopted in schools are described.

Focusing on the brain's natural functions, this article discusses specific teacher characteristics, teaching methods, and peripheral stimuli helping to activate appropriate learning behavior. Also identifies particular events and teacher behaviors that block learning and frustrate the brain's efforts to harmonize conflicts and admit new…