Three Traits of a Critical Thinking Culture

by Kevin D. Washburn, Ed.D. | May 30, 2019 | Educational Leadership, School Culture, Teaching, The Spectrum

While Florida successfully produces palm trees, in upstate New York their tall silhouettes are limited to greenhouses. A tree-lined street in my hometown may boast poplars and pines, but the climate prevents palm trees from adding to the scene. With plants, climate...

Converting Simple Activities into Power Tools for Retention and Recall (Part 1): 4-Square

by Julia | Jun 28, 2018 | Learning Mindset, Teaching

Spring is my favorite time of year. It’s sunny but not too hot or humid, and a sweet breeze invites me outside. Spring rejuvenates my soul. One spring morning, my two-year-old daughter and I decided to embark upon an agricultural journey; we would plant sunflower...

Four Strategies that Spark Curiosity and Fuel Motivation

by Kevin D. Washburn, Ed.D. | May 15, 2018 | Curriculum & Instruction, Learning Mindset, Teaching, The Spectrum

Research shows that four strategies spark curiosity and fuel motivation: big ideas, meaningful student choice, increased cognitive demand, and scaffolding. Here’s how Foundations & Frameworks (a K-6 instructional reading program) naturally embeds all four...

Power Tools Can Make All the Difference: Introduction

by Julia | Apr 19, 2018 | Curriculum & Instruction, Learning Mindset, Teaching, The Spectrum

I was recently reminded that power tools can make all the difference. The play cottage Nona and Pop gave our daughter sat in the garage awaiting construction. You see, my husband and I clearly recall a previous play-kitchen construction project that took three times...

What the Twilight Zone and Radishes Have to Do with Teaching

by Kevin D. Washburn, Ed.D. | Apr 20, 2016 | Teaching

A great story compels us to curiosity by the questions it raises. On the other hand, curiosity compels us to question when we’re not privy to the full story. Good teaching embraces curiosity. This brief video clip is from a recent presentation and is part of our...

Insights from a Second Grader…and a Hamster

by Kevin D. Washburn, Ed.D. | Apr 19, 2016 | Teaching, The Spectrum

During a classroom observation, one of the second-grade students reminded me that curiosity is worth pursuing, even when it’s not on the schedule. This brief video clip is from a recent presentation and is part of our Fueling Learning workshop.