I teach in an American middle school located in a rural area five hours away from a major metropolitan city. I have noticed my students are coming to my classroom with lower reading and critical thinking skills. There is never one reason for this, and I am not looking for the silver bullet to solve this puzzle for me. I also have more and more students failing standardized tests (past failures do not motivate the masses!). More and more, I see students who truly do not know what to do when they hear directions or students who are so behind, it is hard to catch them up; this not an excuse to not know my students as scholars and individuals. That does not mean it is impossible! It is a challenge. Please, can you tell me how to best plug into brains of this age group, according to your research, so I can create a curriculum map that will “work” and help my students achieve goals in education? I will have three 90-minute classes starting in August, 1/3 special needs, 1/2 in poverty; two classes will be full inclusion with a part time special educator. I am not a basement person, and I am willing to work this summer on additions you think should be implemented. Is there a neuroscientist near me who is willing to visit my classroom and help me create a better learning lab environment? I am a Literacy teaching in Gen Ed English in SW Virginia. Thanks.