This book presents strategies for creating a meaningful, active classroom environment based on the latest research on learning and about multiple intelligences. The book emphasizes a change to interactive thinking activities to increase students' success and explains how to change a classroom from teacher-focused to student-focused. Chapter 1, "Leaving Lecture Behind," discusses how and why it is important to move to a new way of teaching that better prepares students for the 21st century. Chapter 2, "Creating a Climate for Learning," and chapter 3, "Team-Building Strategies," stress the importance of climate and team building to promote any sort of change. Chapter 4, "Constructing Knowledge," deals with the components needed to deliver instruction to students without lectures. It explains the components of the learning cycle, which differ from the lesson cycle because of the emphasis on the student. Chapter 5, "Demonstrating Understanding," discusses how to ensure that students understand the information studied by requiring that they demonstrate the learning in some way. Chapter 6, "Reflecting on the Learning," provides the real-world connection to what students are learning. The book contains tables, diagrams, and examples of thinking activities as well as 24 blackline masters appropriate for grades 6-12. An annotated bibliography is also included. (Contains 21 references.) (SM)