Previous   20-40 of 1555    Next

1555 writing results | sort by:

Share    return to subject listing
Less
More

Teaching With Habits of the Mind - The Institute for the Arts Integration and STEAM

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
Created by The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM, this webpage introduces teachers to the Habits of Mind, a set of purposeful thinking behaviors that help students become more...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Created by The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM, this webpage introduces teachers to the Habits of Mind, a set of purposeful thinking behaviors that help students become more resilient and thoughtful learners. This page explains how these habits apply across grade levels and content areas and encourages teachers to weave them into everyday routines so students can practice them regularly. It also provides practical tools, such as mini-lessons, discussion prompts, and printable habit cards, to facilitate easy classroom integration.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): professional development (273), social and emotional learning (127), teaching strategies (59), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Have students create a habit of mind character sketch with Google Drawings, reviewed here. They can choose a character from a book and identify which habits the character uses or lacks. They can write a short explanation and illustrate the character demonstrating the habit in a key scene. Assign students to design a toolkit for a habit of mind. In small groups using Canva for Education, reviewed here, they create posters, bookmark reminders, or short scripts for morning announcements that teach their classmates how to use a specific habit. These tools are shared with the grade level or displayed in the classroom as ongoing reminders. Choose one habit of mind, such as persisting, and give students a quick challenge, such as building a tower from index cards and tape. Pause halfway through and ask students to reflect on how they are using the habit in real time, this helps them experience the habit through action.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

PBL Resources - PBLWorks

Grades
3 to 5
0 Favorites 0  Comments
The Resources Overview section of the PBLWorks website offers a rich collection of tools, guides, and supports designed to help teachers plan and implement high-quality project-based...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

The Resources Overview section of the PBLWorks website offers a rich collection of tools, guides, and supports designed to help teachers plan and implement high-quality project-based learning. It includes a library of standards-aligned project units, rubrics, strategy guides, webinars, and student handouts, searchable by grade level and subject area. Whether you are just beginning with PBL or looking to deepen your practice, these resources provide explicit scaffolding and practical ideas to promote student agency, collaboration, and inquiry in the classroom.

tag(s): Project Based Learning (27), rubrics (38), teaching strategies (59), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Show a short video connected to an upcoming unit, then build a "Wonder Wall" where students post questions. This model shows how PBL begins with curiosity and student-generated inquiry. Teach students to write interview questions and rehearse asking them. Then invite a school staff member (nurse, custodian, counselor) as a guest expert. Have students research their classmates' needs, design a small improvement (e.g., a class jobs system, a reading nook layout, noise-level agreements), and present their ideas. Use the PBLWorks rubrics to guide collaboration and presentation skills.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Connecting Across Disciplines in PBL - Edutopia

Grades
3 to 5
0 Favorites 0  Comments
In the article Connecting Across Disciplines in PBL: Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning, teachers are invited to rethink how students learn by exploring big questions that...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

In the article Connecting Across Disciplines in PBL: Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning, teachers are invited to rethink how students learn by exploring big questions that cross traditional subject boundaries. The piece explains how interdisciplinary project-based learning helps students make meaningful, real-world connections, deepen their thinking, and stay more engaged. It describes a continuum of ways teachers can blend subjects and shows how projects become stronger when students use skills from science, social studies, literacy, and more to solve authentic problems. The article encourages educators to move beyond isolated lessons and design learning experiences in which students investigate, collaborate, and apply knowledge across multiple disciplines.

tag(s): professional development (273), Project Based Learning (27), teaching strategies (59)

In the Classroom

Have students investigate a simple real-world problem in your school, such as noisy hallways or wasted food in the cafeteria. Let them gather data in math, write observations in ELA, and brainstorm causes in science. Create a mini interdisciplinary inquiry in which students read a nonfiction text in ELA about a science or social studies topic, then design a hands-on model or diagram that explains the problem from another subject's perspective. Launch a small PBL challenge in which students create a proposal to improve something at the school or in the community. They may research in social studies, write persuasive pieces in ELA, measure materials in math, and present solutions digitally using Microsoft PowerPoint Online, reviewed here.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Applying Prior Knowledge to New Situations - University of Vermont Extension Institute

Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
The page titled "University of Vermont Extension Institute (UVEI) Wiki: Applying Prior Knowledge to New Situations" explains how this Habit of Mind supports students in using what they...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

The page titled "University of Vermont Extension Institute (UVEI) Wiki: Applying Prior Knowledge to New Situations" explains how this Habit of Mind supports students in using what they already know to approach new and unfamiliar problems. It describes how learners sometimes treat each task as entirely separate, and emphasizes the importance of prompting them to recall previous experiences and make valuable connections. The website places this habit within a broader set of thinking skills and instructional practices, showing teachers how encouraging students to transfer learning can strengthen understanding and problem-solving.

tag(s): professional development (273), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Have students list anything they already know about a new topic or skill. Give students a challenging problem, then ask them to create a simpler version based on what they already know and solve both. Have students write or draw analogies showing how a new concept is like something they have learned before.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

16 Habits of Mind: Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations - WonderGrove Kids

Grades
3 to 5
0 Favorites 0  Comments
 
Use this video to introduce students to this Habit of Mind by showing how what they already know can help them solve new and more complex problems. The narrator explains ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Use this video to introduce students to this Habit of Mind by showing how what they already know can help them solve new and more complex problems. The narrator explains that prior knowledge is a powerful resource, especially when students feel stuck or believe a task is too difficult. By reminding children to recall simpler problems they've solved or experiences they've had, the video models how to transfer learning and build confidence. It also emphasizes that using past knowledge is a creative act, helping learners form analogies and apply familiar ideas to unfamiliar situations in meaningful ways. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): problem solving (240), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Present a new math or reading problem and ask students to identify one strategy they used yesterday that might help them today. Have students create an analogy that connects a new concept (like theme, fractions, force, or government roles) to something they've learned earlier in the year. Students can take a problem they solved earlier in the year (ELA, math, or science) and "remix" it into a harder version, showing how their past knowledge helps them solve the new version.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Metacognition: An Important Skill for Modern Times - Brendan Conway-Smith

Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
 
The talk "Metacognition: An Important Skill for Modern Times" by Brendan Conway-Smith explains the idea of metacognition, which means thinking about your own thinking, and shows why...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

The talk "Metacognition: An Important Skill for Modern Times" by Brendan Conway-Smith explains the idea of metacognition, which means thinking about your own thinking, and shows why it is an important skill in today's busy, technology-filled world. Conway-Smith describes how constant distractions and information overload make it hard for our brains to stay focused, and he explains how greater awareness of our thoughts, attention, and emotions can help us learn better and stay in control. This talk is helpful for teachers because it highlights how guiding students to notice their thinking can build independence, stronger focus, and deeper learning.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): brain (55), professional development (273), social and emotional learning (127), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Give students a simple puzzle (a word scramble, a math riddle, or a pattern). Before solving, ask them to write or say, "How do I plan to solve this?" Afterward, they reflect on what worked and what didn't. Set up a short activity, such as a reading passage or drawing task, and pause halfway to let students check in with themselves. They can answer quick prompts like "Is my mind wandering?" and "What can I do to refocus?" Students will begin to see how awareness affects performance. Have students create a set of colorful cards that teach strategies such as "Take a brain break," "Ask yourself questions," "Notice your emotions," and "Check your work." They can decorate, explain, and practice each strategy, then use their cards during class for future learning tasks.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Help Students Learn to Take Exams with Exam Wrappers - Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
Help Students Learn to Take Exams with Exam Wrappers is a fantastic article that explains what exam wrappers are and why they're a game-changer in the classroom. An exam wrapper...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Help Students Learn to Take Exams with Exam Wrappers is a fantastic article that explains what exam wrappers are and why they're a game-changer in the classroom. An exam wrapper is a simple reflection tool you give students right after they receive a graded exam. Instead of just glancing at their score and moving on, students take time to think about what worked, what didn't, and how they can improve next time. However, exam wrappers aren't just for after the test! You can also use them before an exam to help students prepare more strategically. They'll learn to tackle questions at different levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and develop a concrete plan for doing even better on their next assessment. It's a win-win: students become more self-aware learners, and you get to see real growth in their test-taking skills!

tag(s): thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Students can create their own exam wrapper using Canva for Education, reviewed here. Students can use Lino, reviewed here to reflect after using an exam wrapper. Students can use the Infographics Presentation Templates, reviewed here to create a top five list as to why and how to use exam wrappers.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

How Metacognition Can Optimize Learning - Cult of Pedagogy

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
 
How Metacognition Can Optimize Learning is a YouTube podcast featuring cognitive scientist Megan Sumeracki. The podcast focuses on metacognition, the act of thinking about thinking,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

How Metacognition Can Optimize Learning is a YouTube podcast featuring cognitive scientist Megan Sumeracki. The podcast focuses on metacognition, the act of thinking about thinking, and how it helps our brains hold onto information. In addition, it explains Metacognitive Monitoring (Awareness) and Metacognitive Control (Action). An example provided in the video is rereading and retrieval practice.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Students can use mindmaps, reviewed here to create study resources. Students can use Google Drawing, reviewed here to create outlines and/or graphic organizers. Finally, students can use StoryMap JS, reviewed here to create story maps.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

20 Metacognitive Questions That Will Get Students Thinking - New Teacher Coach

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
New Teacher Coach provides a valuable collection of metacognitive questions designed to boost student reflection and self-awareness across all grade levels. This free resource categorizes...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

New Teacher Coach provides a valuable collection of metacognitive questions designed to boost student reflection and self-awareness across all grade levels. This free resource categorizes questions into three distinct phases: planning, monitoring, and evaluating. During the planning stage, prompts help students set goals and identify the necessary resources before starting a task. The monitoring questions encourage students to check their progress and adjust their strategies mid-activity, while the evaluation prompts guide them in assessing their final performance and learning process. Because these questions focus on the "how" of learning rather than just the "what," they offer a practical framework for developing independent learners who understand their own cognitive processes.

tag(s): critical thinking (146), problem solving (240), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Students can use Stormboard, reviewed here to post their goal. Students can use Google Keep, reviewed here to help with deadlines for assignments and projects. Students can use Mentimeter, reviewed here as a reflection tool.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Metacognition in the Classroom: More Than Thinking About Thinking - Learning A to Z

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
Metacognition in the Classroom: More Than Thinking About Thinking focuses on the classroom setting. This resource defines metacognition, what it is not, how to create metacognition...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Metacognition in the Classroom: More Than Thinking About Thinking focuses on the classroom setting. This resource defines metacognition, what it is not, how to create metacognition in the classroom, teaching strategies, and how to overcome challenges. The teaching of reading strategies highlighted for metacognition are Planning and Goal Setting, Making Connections, Monitoring Comprehension, Revising, Clarifying, and Repairing Understanding, Questioning, Summarizing, and Visualizing. The reading strategies are shared in a table that highlights before, during, and after reading.

tag(s): questioning (34), reading comprehension (141), summarizing (24), teaching strategies (59), thinking skills (57), visualizations (11)

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

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Responsive Classroom - Center for Responsive Schools

Grades
K to 8
0 Favorites 0  Comments
 
Discover a rich collection of free tools to support a strong classroom community and effective social-emotional learning practices. Teachers can access printable resources, including...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Discover a rich collection of free tools to support a strong classroom community and effective social-emotional learning practices. Teachers can access printable resources, including morning meeting templates, goal-setting forms, behavior reflection sheets, and planning guides, all ready to use. The site also provides a large library of articles with practical strategies for positive teacher language, classroom routines, and student engagement, along with free videos and webinar recordings that model best practices and offer professional learning support. These free materials make it easy for teachers to incorporate Responsive Classroom principles into daily instruction.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): classroom management (107), social and emotional learning (127), Teacher Utilities (175)

In the Classroom

Begin class with a simple greeting circle where each student greets the person next to them by name. Follow with a one-sentence share prompt such as "One thing I'm proud of from this week..." or "A curiosity I have today...." This builds community, warms up communication skills, and sets a positive tone for learning. Offer students two or three options for showing their understanding of a concept (for example: create a poster, write a paragraph, or build a model). Have students choose, plan, and complete their preferred task, then reflect on why they chose it, and use interactive modeling to teach it clearly. Students observe, practice, and reflect on what successful behavior looks and sounds like. This deepens understanding of expectations and reduces behavior disruptions. Choose a routine, like turning in assignments, transitioning to small groups, or using classroom materials, and use interactive modeling to teach it clearly. Have students observe, practice, and reflect on what successful behavior looks and sounds like. This deepens understanding of expectations and reduces behavior disruptions.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Character Lab - Character Lab

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
Character Lab is a research-based nonprofit dedicated to helping educators and families build students' character strengths, such as self-control, gratitude, curiosity, kindness, growth...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Character Lab is a research-based nonprofit dedicated to helping educators and families build students' character strengths, such as self-control, gratitude, curiosity, kindness, growth mindset, and creativity. On this site, you'll find a set of free "Playbooks" (ready-to-use guides for classroom practice) and "Tips" (short, evidence-based articles) designed for easy integration into real classrooms.

tag(s): social and emotional learning (127)

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

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

10 Crafts & Activities Winter Solstice - How Wee Learn

Grades
2 to 5
0 Favorites 0  Comments
Explore the simple, nature-inspired crafts and hands-on projects to help students understand the meaning of the winter solstice through art, observation, and play. From making icy sun...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Explore the simple, nature-inspired crafts and hands-on projects to help students understand the meaning of the winter solstice through art, observation, and play. From making icy sun catchers to creating themed journals or light-themed decorations, the activities encourage students to notice seasonal changes, reflect on light and dark, and connect outdoor learning with classroom discussions. It's an inviting collection for teachers looking to blend science, creativity, and seasonal celebration.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): crafts (88), earth (188), seasonal (34), seasons (55), sun (84)

In the Classroom

Have students create simple ice sun catchers using water, natural materials, and a freezer or outdoor cold temperatures. Afterward, they can write a quick observation about how the changing light interacts with their artwork and what this reveals about the winter solstice. Using a solstice-themed journal (inspired by the page), have students write short entries describing what they notice about daylight, temperature, and nature during this time of year. For a digital version, use Book Creator, reviewed here. After learning about different cultural celebrations of light around the solstice, students can create a small craft (such as a lantern, candle silhouette art, or light-themed collage) and write a short explanation card that connects their piece to the meaning of the solstice.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Hour of Code - Code.org

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
   
Hour of Code provides teachers, students, and parents with resources and activities to support computer science education and their new initiative, Hour of AI. Visit the "Learn" portion...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Hour of Code provides teachers, students, and parents with resources and activities to support computer science education and their new initiative, Hour of AI. Visit the "Learn" portion of the site to find videos, tutorials, and programming activities for all ages and ability levels. The "Teach" area features downloadable curricula for all grade levels, including instruction on coding and AI. Visit the link for parents to take advantage of activities that teach the fundamentals of coding through Hour of Code activities and self-paced computer science courses. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (218), coding (90), critical thinking (146), logic (153), problem solving (240), STEM (331)

In the Classroom

Bookmark and save this site to use during annual Hour of AI or Code activities and throughout the year as part of computer science instruction. Integrate coding activities into cross-curricular lessons, for example, by incorporating coding exercises that enable students to explore geometry and patterns within their math lessons. Integrate with science lessons to explore the scientific method or use coding activities to create interactive stories that bring student writing projects to life. Extend student learning by including activities and lessons from Hour of AI, reviewed here as part of your computer science curriculum. Share student projects on your class website or on a site such as Milanote, reviewed here to curate and share information.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Listening with Understanding and Empathy (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
Discover our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Listening with Understanding and Empathy--the practice of devoting genuine mental energy to another person's thoughts and...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Discover our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Listening with Understanding and Empathy--the practice of devoting genuine mental energy to another person's thoughts and ideas while making a sincere effort to perceive their point of view and emotions. This vital habit helps students move beyond simply hearing words to truly understanding others by asking clarifying questions, considering perspectives different from their own, and giving their full attention during conversations. In a world of constant communication, we've gathered a variety of tools to help you teach students to listen beyond the words and to make an effort to perceive another person's perspective. In this collection, you'll find things like video examples demonstrating active listening skills and empathetic responses, role-playing activities and conversation scenarios that practice perspective-taking, printable question stems and sentence starters to guide meaningful dialogue, lesson plans featuring partner interviews and collaborative discussion protocols, and reflection journals where students can explore different viewpoints, as well as digital platforms for structured discussions and collaborative storytelling. As you weave these resources into your daily routines, you'll create a classroom where students practice understanding one another, which helps foster a culture of respect and genuine connection.

tag(s): empathy (42), listening (95)

In the Classroom

Share these resources with your students to learn more about listening with understanding and empathy. Share a link to this collection on your school web page and in your school newsletter (or email). Find resources to incorporate into your lessons.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Questioning and Posing Problems (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
Investigate our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Questioning and Posing Problems--the curious practice of asking yourself "How can I find out?", developing powerful questioning...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Investigate our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Questioning and Posing Problems--the curious practice of asking yourself "How can I find out?", developing powerful questioning strategies, and actively seeking problems to solve with a commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of precision. This inquiry-driven habit empowers students to ask meaningful "why" and "what if" questions, identify gaps in their understanding, and formulate questions that deepen learning and spark new discoveries. In this collection, you'll find video examples of scientists, innovators, and students modeling effective questioning techniques, interactive inquiry activities and problem-finding challenges that stimulate curiosity, interactive checklists and digital rubrics that help students verify their work against clear criteria, question stems and wondering journals to capture emerging thoughts, lesson plans featuring Socratic seminars and question formulation techniques, and mystery scenarios that require students to generate their own investigative questions. With these resources, your students will gain practical strategies and examples to help them double-check their work, verify information, and strive for the highest level of quality in all their endeavors.

tag(s): questioning (34), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Help your students learn and practice questioning and posing questions. This list includes resources for all grades. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn ways to incorporate the information in your lessons

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Project Zero Thinking Routines - TeachersFirst

Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
Project Zero Thinking Routines are research-based instructional tools designed to cultivate students' thinking dispositions and make their cognitive processes visible in powerful, accessible...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Project Zero Thinking Routines are research-based instructional tools designed to cultivate students' thinking dispositions and make their cognitive processes visible in powerful, accessible ways. Developed by researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, these simple, repeatable mini-strategies are the building blocks of an authentic thinking culture in your classroom. These routines have been refined over decades of classroom implementation and represent some of the most effective strategies for developing critical and creative thinking skills. What makes Project Zero routines so impactful is their elegant simplicity--structured prompts like "Think, Pair, Share," "See, Think, Wonder," and "Circle of Viewpoints" can be learned quickly but used deeply, helping students develop habits of mind such as reasoning with evidence, considering different perspectives, and making careful observations. These aren't just classroom activities; they're cognitive frameworks that students internalize and carry with them, becoming tools they naturally reach for when encountering new ideas or complex problems. Discover resources in this collection, including templates, anchor charts, videos, lesson plan examples utilizing Thinking Routines, collaborative whiteboards, debate tools, collaborative sharing platforms, virtual bulletin boards, video and audio tools, and more. The resources help you understand the research behind these routines, learn how to implement them effectively across grade levels and content areas, and discover how they can transform your classroom into a culture where thinking is valued, shared, and continuously developed.

tag(s): thinking routines (24), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Explore this collection to learn more about Thinking Routines and how to implement them in your lessons. Begin by selecting a routine that aligns with your learning objective--such as "See, Think, Wonder" for developing observation skills or "Think, Pair, Share" for collaborative processing--then model it explicitly before having students practice it regularly. As routines become familiar through repeated use, students internalize these cognitive frameworks and begin applying them independently, transforming your classroom into a culture where thoughtful inquiry and reflection become natural habits.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Flexible Thinking Activities - Life Skills Advocate, LLC

Grades
3 to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
The Life Skills Advocate blog provides a warm and practical collection of quick-hit strategies and activities designed to promote flexible thinking in students. It explores what flexible...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

The Life Skills Advocate blog provides a warm and practical collection of quick-hit strategies and activities designed to promote flexible thinking in students. It explores what flexible thinking really means, why it matters for learning and life, and provides easy-to-use prompts, such as changing routines, trying different perspectives, or playing brain-teaser games, to foster adaptability and problem-solving. This resource is invaluable if you're looking for ways to build student resilience, creativity, and executive-functioning skills in the classroom.

tag(s): flexibility (5), perspective (24), problem solving (240), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Give students a puzzle or game that has more than one solution and challenge them to find at least two ways to solve it. Then, have them share how they chose those methods. After reading a poem or short story, have students write what a different character or stakeholder might think or do. Then discuss how shifting their viewpoint changed their understanding of the text. Have students identify a classroom or school routine or space (for example, recess line-up, library checkout, transitions) and redesign it using flexible thinking. Then have the students map out at least two alternative versions, predict outcomes, and present their designs and reasoning to the class.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

OER Commons- Thinking Flexibly - OER Commons

Grades
1 to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
The OER Commons website offers a helpful collection of free lessons and activities focused on the habit of thinking flexibly. Teachers can find ready-to-use resources such as lesson...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

The OER Commons website offers a helpful collection of free lessons and activities focused on the habit of thinking flexibly. Teachers can find ready-to-use resources such as lesson plans, checklists, and discussion prompts that help students learn how to adjust their thinking, see new perspectives, and try different strategies when solving problems. These materials cover a range of grade levels and subjects and can be easily adapted to fit your classroom needs, making it a great place to support creative and critical thinking.

tag(s): critical thinking (146), flexibility (5), perspective (24), problem solving (240), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Start class with puzzles or riddles that can be solved in more than one way, encouraging students to explore different strategies and perspectives. In small groups, have students tackle an open-ended task, such as designing a classroom improvement plan or inventing a tool for everyday life, using creative and logical thinking to propose multiple solutions. Use an OER Commons lesson in science or math that asks students to approach a problem from more than one angle, emphasizing that flexibility strengthens understanding in all subjects.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Thinking Flexible Lesson Plan - scribd

Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites 0  Comments
 
This lesson plan, titled "Thinking Flexibly," focuses on helping students understand what flexible thinking looks like, how it differs from rigid thinking, and how they can develop...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

This lesson plan, titled "Thinking Flexibly," focuses on helping students understand what flexible thinking looks like, how it differs from rigid thinking, and how they can develop it as a habit of mind. The objectives include explaining what "thinking flexibly" means, identifying examples and non-examples, transforming rigid-thinking scenarios into flexible ones, and applying the skill in the classroom, home, and real-world contexts. The plan includes definition, examples, group practice, and reflection to help students internalize the mindset shift.

tag(s): flexibility (5), thinking skills (57)

In the Classroom

Present students with everyday classroom situations (for example, "You forgot your homework" or "Your partner disagrees with your idea"). Have them sort these into rigid or flexible thinking responses and discuss what makes each one different. Have students reflect weekly on moments when they practiced flexibility in school or at home, describing how adapting their thinking helped them succeed. In science or math, challenge students to find two different methods to reach the same result, showing that flexible thinking leads to problem-solving success.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Previous   20-40 of 1555    Next