Critical thinking is one of the most crucial life skills to have; it not only builds a strong character, but also creates a savvy and successful adult. Schools can only do so much to nurture critical thinking abilities due to a standardized syllabus, but you as a parent can encourage your children to think critically with some activities you can do at home. Here are some examples of activities to teach children critical thinking. 1.…
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As parents, our short-term goal is to get our children to listen to us and follow the rules and limits we set for our family, and how children learn morality plays a huge part in this. The long-term goal is to raise children who truly understand why we have created these rules and limits and develop an internal motivation to be kind and do the “right” thing. In other words, we want them to follow…
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Sentence stems are great for many reasons, not the least of which is their ability to function as cognitive training wheels for developing minds. Like journal response prompts, the stems below are created to help students better understand what they’re reading, and as the focus is on critical thinking rather than mere ‘talking,’ we’ve left out more obvious stems like ‘I agree…’ or ‘I disagree…’ or ‘I like…’ or ‘I dislike…’, etc. Opinions are useful…
Read More »No one wants to raise kids to be followers who are unable to make their own decisions. In fact, when Claire Lerner, child development and parenting expert, asks parents if they want to raise kids who know what they want and can problem solve on their own, every single person raises a hand. But teaching kids to think for themselves can be easier said than done. It’s not just a skill that starts in elementary…
Read More »Learner reflection is an essential part of being a student. If we don’t spend time thinking about and processing new information and experiences, our brains won’t be able to store the information properly. This is why cramming and other study strategies like it don’t actually work. Below are 12 strategies for implementing learner reflection in the classroom. 1. Journaling is the classic mode of learner reflection, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Students could…
Read More »The standard blueprint for online student discussions posts is to write an initial response, then reply to two or three of your classmates’ posts. It gets the job done, but we can do better. Discussions in an online course play a vital role in creating substantive interactions, aiming to capture the spirit of discourse in face-to-face settings. Initial posts can be counterintuitive—in essence, they require students to complete small writing assignments individually before giving other…
Read More »When schools seek to help students access their best work, it means focusing on helping each student become proficient in the necessary skills, no matter how long it takes. Some schools have utilized reDesign, an education consulting firm, to help teachers intentionally build skills in their students that they may not have realized were even needed. The premise of reDesign’s approach is that there are many “portable skills” required in any academic project, no matter…
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When working on a grade point average (GPA), students should keep in mind that there is both weighted and unweighted scales, and understand what makes the difference. With the beginning of a new decade, high school students should feel inspired to raise their grade point average so they can get into their dream universities, whether they are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors. Starting fresh and creating new goals, or getting back on track with prior goals,…
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Recent studies have shown that there are several benefits to being bilingual. Learning a second language could give your child a serious advantage in conceptual thinking. It may even broaden their perspectives and understanding of the world. Improving The Executive Function According to an article put out by Psychology Today, one of the several benefits to being bilingual is it improves brain activity functions. The executive function, for example, which is the control system of…
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Consider the value of advanced placement courses for college admission. College admissions boards are becoming more and more selective about who they accept into their universities. About 37% of students in the class of 2017 took at least one AP course in high school. The pool of students challenging themselves with AP courses is growing. This is a huge factor behind why college is becoming harder to get into! Make yourself a part of this…
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