TeachersFirst Remaining Open to Continuous Learning (Habit of the Mind) Resources
One of the most powerful gifts we can give our students—and ourselves—is the realization that our minds are never "finished" products. The Habit of the Mind - Remaining Open to Continuous Learning is the heartbeat of the lifelong learner; it’s about having the humility to say "I don’t know yet" and the pride to go find the answer. When students see us adjusting our thinking based on new information, seeking out resources to fill gaps in our knowledge, or genuinely considering their perspectives, we're teaching them something more valuable than any content standard: that learning never stops, and not knowing is just the beginning of discovery. In a world that's changing faster than ever, the ability to stay curious, admit mistakes, revise understanding, and actively seek growth isn't just nice to have—it's essential. The types of resources that you will find in this collection include Growth Mindset videos and websites, reflection journals, peer and self-assessment rubrics, digital portfolio platforms, case studies, question board templates, metacognitive reflection activities, TED talks, progress-tracking tools, before-and-after thinking routines (such as “I used to think…Now I think..”), digital feedback tools, science news aggregators that often debunk “old facts,” free online courses, and more. Use these resources to help our students understand that the smartest people aren't the ones who know everything; they're the ones who never stop learning.
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16 Habits of Mind: Remaining Open to Continuous Learning - WonderGrove Kids
Grades
3 to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): thinking routines (29), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Start class by sharing a common mistake (teacher or student-generated). Have students discuss what they can learn from it and how it helps them grow. Have students write about a time they struggled but learned something new. Encourage them to include what they would do differently next time and how staying open helped them improve. After watching the video, have students write one question they are curious about on a sticky note and add it to a class board or use a class Padlet, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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16 Habits of Mind: Remaining Open to Continuous Learning - WonderGrove Kids
Grades
3 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): flexibility (7), thinking routines (29), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Write sentences, directions, or explanations that are unclear or incomplete on the board. Have students work in pairs to rewrite them so they show the habit from the video (for example, clearer, more precise, more accurate, or more thoughtful). Create a weekly challenge connected to the video (for example: "Use clear directions," "Check your work for accuracy," or "Explain your thinking"). Have students keep track on a checklist or reflection sheet and share examples at the end of the week. Students can write about a time when they did or did not use the habit from the video in a Reflection Journal using Book Creator, reviewed here. They can explain what happened, what they could do differently next time, and why the habit is important in school or life.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Effective Feedback for Student Growth - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Elevate your classroom culture with feedback that helps students thrive. This updated session moves beyond theory to explore practical strategies for teacher and peer feedback that accelerates learning. Discover the pedagogical foundations of effective feedback, learn to create and use feedback stems that guide meaningful responses, and explore strategic pairing and grouping methods that maximize peer learning. We'll examine how to model feedback for students, build feedback banks that save time while maintaining quality, and use technology tools to streamline the feedback process. Whether you're looking to enhance your own feedback practice or teach students to give meaningful responses to each other, this session provides concrete strategies that work across content areas and grade levels. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply effective feedback strategies. 2. Implement peer feedback systems. 3. Integrate technology for feedback efficiency. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): feedback (13), OK2Askarchive (83)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Habits of Mind Explorer - Habits of Mind Insitute
Grades
K to 12tag(s): critical thinking (163), preK (298), problem solving (262), social and emotional learning (144), thinking routines (29), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Include this resource as part of a project-based learning unit by having students choose one habit to focus on as they work through a complex challenge. For a social studies project exploring historical figures, students can analyze which habits, like Taking Responsible Risks or Striving for Accuracy, were most critical to their subject's success. After conducting research, students can organize their insights and provide examples of these habits in action by creating a collaborative digital board with Lino, reviewed here. To take the reflection deeper, ask students to map out their own growth in that specific habit by creating a visual journey or mind map using MindMup, reviewed here shifting focus from just learning facts to understanding the mental behaviors that drive achievement, helping students become more self-aware and intentional learners.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Goal Setting - Easy Teacher Worksheets
Grades
3 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): behavior (45), classroom management (124), social and emotional learning (144), thinking routines (29), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Have students use completed goal sheets during conferences to explain growth, challenges, and next steps. This will help to build accountability and show progress. Use the goal planner before large projects (book reports, Reading Trek maps, research papers, robotics builds). Students can break the assignment into mini-deadlines and checkpoints to strengthen executive functioning skills. After quizzes or benchmark tests, students can analyze their results and set targeted improvement goals to gain ownership of their learning.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mindset Journal - Youcubed
Grades
K to 12tag(s): journals (19), student-centered (8), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Have students complete a short journal entry at the end of the day reflecting on a challenge they faced and how they worked through it. This form of journaling builds self-awareness and reinforces the idea that effort leads to growth. Have students write one skill they are still working on using a "I can't do this yet" statement from the journal. Post journal responses on a class bulletin board to celebrate perseverance and normalize learning struggles. At the start of a new unit, have students set a personal learning goal in their journal. Midway through the unit, they revisit their entry to reflect on progress, strategies, and mindset shifts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Integrating the 16 Habits of Mind - edutopia
Grades
K to 12tag(s): classroom management (124), problem solving (262), social and emotional learning (144)
In the Classroom
Students can share how they are implementing the Habits of the Mind by posting it on Lino, reviewed here. Students can create an infographic using MindMeister, reviewed here to explain one of the habits. Students can create a comic using ToonyTool, reviewed here explaining one of the Habits of the Mind.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The 10 Metacognitive Strategies That Will Empower All Primary And Secondary Students - Third Space Learning
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Students can create goals using Google Drawing, reviewed here and track their progress. Students can use Word Clouds, reviewed here to ask questions while reading a story. Students can use the Timelines Tool by ReadWriteThink, reviewed here to break down problems step by step.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Metacognition in the Classroom: More Than Thinking About Thinking - Learning A to Z
Grades
K to 12tag(s): questioning (36), reading comprehension (143), summarizing (25), teaching strategies (67), thinking skills (84), visualizations (15)
In the Classroom
Students can use Canva for Education, reviewed here to create their goals. Students can use Mentimeter, reviewed here to make connections to a text. Students can post questions in Stickies.io, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Character Lab - Character Lab
Grades
K to 12tag(s): social and emotional learning (144)
In the Classroom
Choose any topic you're teaching and have students generate three "wonder questions." Invite them to share one with a partner, then select a few to guide class discussion. Give students small index cards and have them write or draw one thing they are grateful for that day. They should say something specific, not general (for example, "My friend helped me understand fractions" instead of "my friends"). Collect the cards and create a class gratitude wall. Set up three short challenge stations (puzzles, STEM building tasks, brainteasers). Have students rotate through each one and practice using perseverance strategies, such as breaking a task into smaller steps or trying a new approach. Afterward, they can reflect on which strategy helped them the most and how they can apply it in academic tasks.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Canva Thinking Routine Templates - Teach Cheat
Grades
K to 8tag(s): graphic organizers (55), thinking routines (29), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Encourage students to design digital portfolios or presentation slides that showcase their learning in ELA, science, or social studies, integrating text, images, and creativity through the Teach Cheat templates. Students can create goal-setting trackers or subject-specific study guides using planner templates or collaborate on digital thank-you cards to practice writing and design skills. Students can choose a poster or graphic organizer template to record what they see, think, and wonder about a text, image, or concept. They can add icons, images, and text boxes to illustrate each step.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MIT Open Courseware - MIT Open Courseware
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): africa (154), artificial intelligence (254), business (50), coding (96), creating media (16), energy (138), engineering (135), environment (248), equations (132), literature (213), sociology (24), space (238), STEM (340), transportation (31)
In the Classroom
AP history, language, and economics students may find MIT's online course materials useful. MIT has committed to putting its entire curriculum on the web, and these early offerings include syllabi, reading materials, and a variety of subject-specific class notes. Before using these pages, students and parents should all be aware of what Open Courseware is and is not. Teachers at smaller schools may welcome the availability of language alternatives. Teachers of gifted who are looking for acceleration options will also find these courses valuable, though you will need to develop a means of doing assessment if your students are to earn credit for them.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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We Will Write - We Will Write AS
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): creative writing (126), descriptive writing (43), paragraph writing (19), writers workshop (31)
In the Classroom
Assign students a genre (ex., mystery, sci-fi, historical fiction) from the platform and challenge them to write a short story or scene using that style. Start each day or class with a 5-minute writing prompt from We Will Write. Occasionally, include a "mystery word" that they must use creatively. Have students submit their writing through We Will Write, then pair them to give structured peer feedback using the platform's rubrics or teacher-created checklists. Assign prompts that ask students to mimic the style of a famous author, such as Dr. Seuss for rhyme or Gary Paulsen for nature imagery.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Khanmigo - Khan Academy
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (254), assessment (135), differentiation (82), rubrics (38), Special Needs (45), Teacher Utilities (199)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of these AI-powered resources to save time and increase productivity. For example, use the Exit Ticket creator to design end-of-lesson assessments to determine student understanding or the Make it Relevant! generator to design lessons that engage learners based on their interests. Differentiate learning by adjusting text levels to match students' abilities or increase comprehension by chunking text into manageable sections.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Varsity Tutors Free Courses - Varsity Tutors
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): animals (267), college (44), deserts (20), egypt (59), essays (18), Online Learning (32), pyramids (24), rivers (15), STEM (340), test prep (70)
In the Classroom
Include links to these free classes with your other summer reading and learning opportunities shared with students and parents. Be sure to highlight offerings of specific interest to your students; for example, if students are taking the ACT and SAT exams, point out the courses that help students prepare for these tests. Add a link to your digital calendar for each of the courses along with a reminder, then email students and parents a week before the course begins as a reminder to sign up and attend the class at the assigned time or use an online resource such as Remind, reviewed here to set up and deliver text reminders of upcoming classes.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ted Talks Daily - TED
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): journalism (72), listening (97), logic (160), news (221), podcasts (150)
In the Classroom
Subscribe to this podcast and listen together as a class. This format provides many opportunities to develop listening and problem-solving skills and to discuss current events. After listening to several podcasts, encourage students to create a podcast program using a similar format. First, replace paper notecards and pens and have students plan the podcast using Notejoy, reviewed here, where students collaborate on a script and move the notecards around until they have their podcast. Strengthen learning by recording and publishing their podcast using Buzzsprout, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Stickies.io - Carbon Five
Grades
K to 12tag(s): collaboration (105), iwb (28), organizational skills (84), Teacher Utilities (199), Whiteboard (10)
In the Classroom
Save Stickies with your other bookmarks as a handy tool for student collaboration and organizing information throughout the year. For example, engage students in book discussions by creating a Stickies board and asking students to add stickies with details about characters, plot, and setting. Follow up by asking students to color code and organize labels based on the information. In this instance, character information might be yellow, plot blue, etc. Stickies is also an excellent tool to include with social-emotional learning activities. For example, encourage students to share sentences that begin with the "I like," "I wish," and "We will" formats as a tool for goal-setting.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mote - Mote Technologies Inc
Grades
K to 12tag(s): editing (88), Google (21), multilingual (74), rubrics (38), Special Needs (45), Teacher Utilities (199)
In the Classroom
Use Mote to make feedback more personal for students and hear voice intonation instead of just written text. Use this extension to share positive feedback on student work and point out specific areas of improvement. Share Mote with your peers to use when collaborating on any document as a replacement for written comments. Mote is an excellent way to provide missing in-person connections with students during remote learning by allowing them to hear your voice instead of viewing impersonal comments. Use Mote when teaching ENL/ESL students to help students who are not proficient in English by enabling them to see comments in their native language.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science News Explores - Society for Science and the Public
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): body systems (45), brain (56), careers (196), earth (192), environment (248), evolution (88), genetics (82), human body (97), space (238), STEM (340)
In the Classroom
Include a link to Science News for Students on classroom computers to include with other non-fiction reading resources for students. Have students browse through the site to find information of interest when choosing science fair or research topics. Enhance students' learning by asking them to create an infographic related to a science topic using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here. This very easy to use tool includes drag and drop tools for easy creation of infographics using included templates or your own design. Take student research a step further and redefine their technology use by having students use Google Drawings, reviewed here, to upload an image related to their science research and add annotations. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more. Weaker readers will need a reading buddy for some of the more challenging articles. Classes in lower grades will want to read the articles together. A quick check on one article using Juicy Studio's Readability test, reviewed here, provided an approximate grade level of 6.5. Check articles before assigning to elementary students. You might also want to use Word Sift, reviewed here, to quickly identify important words that appear in the text.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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bulb - Bulb, Inc.
Grades
2 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): multimedia (56), portfolios (21), writing (306)
In the Classroom
Use bulb for student portfolios in any subject. Set up an account with your teacher name, email, password, and some basic information. Once you and your students' accounts are set up, share how to get around bulb on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector to get students started. When you (or your students) create group pages, anyone you invite can publish to the group. However, students will also have their own account and can keep pages private. Science teachers could have students write up their lab reports in a portfolio, and history teachers could set up portfolios for student report writing. Have teens and older students upload work throughout the year to create their own "me-portfolios." Create portfolios (with permission) to share younger students' work with parents and students during conferences. Use this tool to show finished projects or to show changes in a project from start to finish. Make a work prototype site and upload examples of exemplary work to share with students to set expectations for completed products before beginning a project. Create a link to this tool on your class website for students to share projects and information. (Get parent permission before posting students' work!) Have students take ownership of their own portfolios to show progress and products across several years. Have older students build portfolios to share as part of career and college preparation. Art teachers will want to share this as a portfolio option for their students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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