Just as scaffolding in architecture is temporary, educators provide temporary extra support as students learn and increase their understanding.

Scaffolds can be included in content, tasks or materials to meet students’ needs. They can occur during both instruction and practice.

Scaffolding supports student success by providing purpose, explaining expectations, increasing independence, and motivating mastery.

Curriculum integration is one way to actively engage students in learning and extend their thinking skills. Learn three models to boost engagement.

How can we impact student achievement? Learning standards tell us critical thinking is an integral part of the answer to this question.  Explore four keys to impact achievement with critical thinking.

About 50 percent of kids in school have experienced some form of trauma, according to ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences). As…

SEL skills are strongly linked with academic achievement and improved participation in school, work, and life.

Now more than ever, educators are tapping into new skills and technology to promote student growth and help them develop…

Educators are going the distance to keep learning moving onward and to build connections while maintaining a high standard of…

The ability to think critically is essential during these challenging times. The COVID-19 pandemic can have far-reaching effects on us…

Students must learn how to apply four competencies within core content areas and beyond: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.

During the years I served as a principal, I remember how important it was to engage students in thinking critically….

We can all agree it is essential that school leaders focus on building effectiveness among their teachers. However, it is…

Students need to know what they must do to be successful, so they can repeat similar behavior or learn from…

For students to unlock their potential as learners and become leaders of tomorrow, they must learn to think critically. Students…

Critical thinking is a skill that can and should be taught and practiced within the context of standards-based instruction. The…

Helping students understand they can actually control the quality of their thinking is crucial for being successful in school and…

As your students become more familiar with what critical thinking is and how the 9 Traits of Critical Thinking™ support…

Thank you for following our series about the 9 Traits of Critical Thinking™ and how each trait contributes to the…

The primary goals of this series are to help students to become mindful of their thinking and to support teachers…

Once again, we’d like to thank you for following our series about 9 Traits of Critical Thinking™. We hope you’ve…

We’re glad you’re taking the time to learn how to help your students understand the value of the 9 Traits…

Mentoring Minds identified the 9 Traits of Critical Thinking™ to foster high-quality, disciplined thinking. Students can learn to become stronger…

By now, we hope your students are becoming more familiar with what critical thinking is and how to use the…

With just a few more traits to explore, we proceed with our series about the 9 Traits of Critical Thinking™….

At this point in the series, we hope you are comfortable integrating the 9 Traits of Critical Thinking™ into your…

What does critical thinking look like? Educators widely agree that critical thinking skills are key to student learning and achievement….

The need for critical thinking and problem-solving skills in our schools is not denied by educators. Today, where new knowledge…

Let’s continue our exploration of Project-Based Learning by looking at the who, where, when, and how of PBL. (Take a…

Often students are pushed to develop questions on the spot, with little to no framework. Unsurprisingly, this often leads to…

Of course, no one wants to get an answer wrong. However, when a student comes up with a response that…

A fifth-grade class is hard at work. Posted on the board is the question the students plan to answer: How…

Critical thinking frameworks can be a huge help for teachers as they lesson plan, but knowing which one to use…

“Does anyone have any questions?” Silence fills the room. The teacher waits the customary three seconds and then moves on…

Thinking frameworks help teachers analyze the various levels of student thinking that are present in lessons, tasks, and assessments. Knowing…

In Act II of close reading, your students examined how the text works. Now it’s time to raise the curtain…

There was a time when teacher-centered learning, or “sit and get,” was the classroom norm: the teacher would stand in…

This article is third in a series exploring how to approach close reading. If you’d like, go back and read…

Your school may have a well-designed approach for integrating college and career-readiness standards into all subject areas with vertical alignment…

As educators, we have a common goal: get our students to think outside of the box. We know when students…

If you establish a classroom culture in which your students feel not only welcome but also wanted, then you will have an environment far more conducive to facilitating learning.

If you’re looking for ways to develop a more creative curriculum for the coming school year, consider challenging students to design infographics.

There are ways to ensure not only that project-based learning is appropriately rigorous for today’s standards, but also that it engages each individual student.

Motivating students to become active participants in their own education is often a difficult task.

As the second half of the school year draws near, it’s the perfect time to assess how far your students…