Author: TeachThought Staff

by TeachThought Staff We’ve looked at icebreakers for kids–elementary school students, for example. How about another of an easy to use, fun, and fairly quick/zero-prep team-building game? One that can be used with a wide range of ages from elementary to adult? If so, ‘Count To Ten’ might just fit the bill. How To Win At ‘Count To Ten’ Basically, the last player standing wins. How? The idea for the students is to count strategically to keep from saying ‘ten.’ The best part of this activity is that it can give some students who may not be the ‘best’ at…

by TeachThought Staff Today’s product Pick Of The Day is a childhood classic on almost every self-respected reading list in the United States (and many beyond): Charlotte’s Web book by E.B. White. The following links are affiliate links–which have zero to do with recommending Charlotte’s Web or any other book or product we offer but it does dictate the websites we link from. You can read more about our Affiliate Policy here. Charlotte’s Web Plot Summary via Wikipedia After a little girl named Fern Arable pleads for the life of the runt of a litter of piglets, one spring morning, her father gives…

Teaching Strategies For Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs by TeachThought Staff Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, developed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943, is a foundational theory in psychology that describes the stages of human needs as a pyramid, with the most basic needs at the bottom and more advanced needs at the top. Individuals must satisfy lower-level needs before they can adequately focus on higher-level ones. Let’s synthesize the information about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for your K-12 educator audience, incorporating the research citations you requested. Understanding and Applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in the K-12 Classroom Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,…

Let’s face it. Everyone wants to learn faster. Whether you’re working with a maths tutor in Brisbane or studying on your own, your learning style matters. Many students rely on math tutors or English tutors to speed things up, but sometimes what holds them back isn’t effort — it’s misinformation. Learning myths are everywhere. And the worst part? Most sound like good advice. Let’s clear the air. Here are five common myths that slow you down — and the simple truths that can set you free. Myth #1: You’re Either Smart or You’re Not This one’s a confidence killer. The…

by TeachThought Staff Self-Directed Learning is not a new concept, but it’s often misunderstood—especially in the context of K-12 classrooms. In a prior reflection, Terry Heick explored the relationship between self-directed learning and the true purpose of education: “The goal of the model isn’t content knowledge (though it should produce that), but rather something closer to wisdom—learning how to learn, understanding what’s worth understanding, and perhaps most importantly, analyzing the purpose of learning (e.g., personal and social change). It also encourages the students to examine the relationship between study and work—an authentic ‘need to know’ with important abstractions like citizenship and…

What is social learning? Social learning theory is a behavioral theory that posits that new behaviors can be learned by observing and imitating others. It is underpinned by the idea that meaning-making (i.e., learning) is a cognitive behavior and process that occurs in social settings. And it is the possibility of future social interactions that drive a ‘need to know,’ curiosity, and general motivation to learn. In short, the idea behind social learning theory is that people learn by observing others. Who Is Responsible For The Development Of Social Learning Theory? As a ‘field’ and topic, social learning theory has…

A List Of Free MOOCs For Teachers & Students contributed by TeachThought Staff While the initial surge of enthusiasm for MOOCs in the early 2010s has tapered off, they remain a valuable and widely-used resource for lifelong learning, professional development, and academic enrichment.  Let’s take a look at how and why that’s true. 1. Continued Demand for Flexible Learning MOOCs thrive because they offer flexibility—anyone can learn at their own pace, from anywhere in the world. They suit working professionals, students, and individuals who want to learn new skills without committing to full-time or formal education. Platforms like Coursera, edX,…

by TeachThought Staff Understanding how the brain actually learns has been a a scientific challenge for millennia. Based on recent advances in neuroscience and its application to learning, there is an emerging model of how the brain learns and it is unlike anything that was expected. It is suggested that the brain does not have one learning system but rather four integrated systems–each with its own unique memory pattern and accompaniments. 8 Neurosystems Of Learning Each system makes use of different cell types and processes. Before educators can embark on new pedagogies of practice that are consistent with 21st century demands, we…

by TeachThought Staff Reading is simply a sequence of symbol interpretation. By understanding that letters make sounds, we can blend those sounds together to make whole sounds that symbolize meaning we can all exchange with one another. By mastering the symbols and their most common contexts, reading becomes a practice in thought–less about decoding and more about understanding. Without getting too Platonic about it all, reading doesn’t change simply because you’re reading a text from another content area. Only sometimes it does. Science content can often by full of jargon, research citations, and odd text features. Social Studies content can…

by TeachThought Staff In the always-changing–recently even more so–landscape of education, the cultivation of creativity is a vital component of learning. Combinig existing ideas into new forms–into new ideas–is a part of creativity. More than just an artistic endeavor, creativity can lead to curiosity, enhances problem-solving capabilities, and can–well-implemented–a deeper, more authentic and nuanced understanding of the world. As we mentioned in The Significant Benefits Of Creativity In The Classroom, “Not only can you practice creativity through many different mediums, its benefits are applicable to almost all professions.” This adaptability and wide-ranging impact underscore the significance of nurturing creative thinking…