Book description
An empowering guide for parents and teachers seeking a positive, practical alternative to the confusion and struggles of middle school."A must-read for anyone who has a tween or works with tweens." - Madeline Levine, New York Times bestselling author of The Price of Privilege and Ready or NotHow can parents stay close with their children through middle school? How do we help middle schoolers discover who they are, enjoy friendships, and manage their growing emotions? What kinds of learning experiences will keep them curious and motivated?These and more questions are answered in this highly engaging and informed guide to the middle school years. Chris Balme draws on his experience as a middle school founder, principal, and teacher, together with the latest adolescent neuroscience. He shows what is going on in the brains of middle schoolers, and how that affects everything from their friendships to the way they relate to parents or show up in a classroom.Parents will gain insight into how to transform their parenting to help middle schoolers find greater independence, connect well with peers, and have the deepest learning possible in and out of school. Educators will learn about the developmental keys to making middle school a place of belonging, with deep social and emotional learning and academics that draw out students' full motivation and potential.Praise for Finding the Magic in Middle School"I love Finding the Magic in Middle School - as a parent of tweens, an educator, and a school design innovator. Chris's love for young people and the awkward but powerful path of self-discovery they travel in the middle school years is obvious, and its clarity inspires us to see and want to enable the magic. Weaving together brain research, storytelling, and design insights, Chris breaks us free from the old narrative of adolescence."- Kim Smith, Co-Founder of NewSchools Venture Fund and Pahara Institute"What Chris Balme calls the "Ultimate Underdogs"-middle schoolers-are in for a better time of it now that he's written this book. After 20 years of working with this underestimated, under-trusted, under-stimulated swath of humanity, Balme has distilled what they need most, and how to give it to them. Hint: It doesn't look like your old social studies class."- Lenore Skenazy, author of Free Range Kids
About the Author
CHRIS BALME has led two innovative middle schools, trained thousands of parents and teachers, and received the Ashoka Fellowship for his work as a leading global changemaker in education. He is endlessly curious about how we raise wise, loving, and capable young people. Chris lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children. Find him at www.chrisbalme.com.
Sky Herald
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Kickstart
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional.
Moxie
πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
Cereal Killer
ListenBook has revolutionized my audio experience, making it both personalized and engaging. πΌ Juggling tasks while exploring narratives β this app is my multitasking hero! π»π From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues!
Beetle King
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Kimono Goddess
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. I'm addicted to this app β it's like having a library in my pocket. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer.
Bug Blitz
The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy.
Friday Ferrari
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
Murmur
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze β this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. π±π I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Darkside Orbit
πΆββοΈπ§ Walking has never been this productive β exploring new worlds while I exercise! ποΈπ« π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration.
Switch
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Snow Hound
I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Swing Setter
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
BlackExcalibur
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§ Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time.
Viceswerve
Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
Mr. Gadget
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Duke Electro
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me.
Proper
Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
Grinch Cheese
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Crash Test
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience