Cognition, Thinking & Understanding

Causal Patterns in Simple Circuits: Lessons to Infuse into Electricity Units...

Causal Patterns in Simple Circuits is a set of lessons that are to be infused into a broader unit on simple electrical circuits. The lessons are designed to address a set of persistent misunderstandings that students have when learning about simple circuits. These misunderstandings stem from how students reason about the nature of causality. Background information is given to help teachers understand typical misunderstandings and how each shows up in students reasoning about simple circuits. The module is designed to move students away from linear and sequential models towards more complex models that better explain the way circuits work. Each lesson includes subject matter goals and more general goals about the nature of cause and effect, as well as a set of steps to help students assess their understanding and to connect the knowledge beyond the original learning context. The curriculum incorporates best practices in science education, such as inquiry-based learning and modeling. It is designed for middle school but can be modified for use with older and younger students. Teaching about static electricity is recommended before teaching about electrical circuits. Understanding electrical charge helps prepare students for understanding electrical circuits. This curriculum module was developed as part of a research project called the Understandings of Consequence Project, which is supported by the National Science Foundation. 2004

Intellectual Character: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Get It

What does it really mean to be intelligent? Ron Ritchhart presents a new and powerful view of intelligence that moves beyond ability to focus on cognitive dispositions such as curiosity, skepticism, and open mindedness. Arguing persuasively for this new conception of intelligence, the author uses vivid classroom vignettes to explore the foundations of intellectual character and describe how teachers can enculturate productive patterns of thinking in their students. Intellectual Character presents illustrative, inspiring stories of exemplary teachers to help show how intellectual traits and thinking dispositions can be developed and cultivated in students to promote successful learning. This book provides a model of authentic and powerful teaching and offers practical strategies for creating classroom environments that support thinking. ISBN-13: 978-0787972783

Causal Patterns in Air Pressure Phenomena: Lessons to Infuse into Pressure Units...

Causal Patterns in Air Pressure is a curriculum module for teachers who want their students to develop a deep understanding of air pressure concepts. Research shows that students who are taught about the nature of the causal patterns while learning science achieve deeper understanding than students who learn the science concepts only. This curriculum module is designed to address persistent difficulties students have when learning about air pressure. These difficulties stem from how students reason about the nature of cause and effect. The module consists of nine lessons, organized into three sections. Each section introduces one of three ways of thinking about causality that students need to master in order to develop a deep understanding of air pressure. Each lesson contains understanding goals for the subject matter and causal patterns. Background information helps teachers recognize the misunderstanding and how it is typically revealed in students reasoning about air pressure. RECAST (REveal CAusal STructure) activities are designed to reveal the underlying causal structure of concepts and to help students restructure their understandings. The curriculum incorporates best practices in science education, such as inquiry-based learning and modeling. It is designed for middle school but can be modified for use with other ages. The module can be infused into broader units on pressure. It was developed as part of a research project called the Understandings of Consequence Project, which is supported by the National Science Foundation.

Multiple Intelligences: Best Ideas from Research and Practice

This work shows teachers and administrators how to successfully integrate Multiple Intelligences into their schools and classrooms. Based on a national investigation of more than 40 schools and on detailed case studies, this book illustrates how teachers in real-life situations in a range of different public schools were able to construct and implement curricula that enabled students to learn challenging disciplinary content through multiple intelligences. It also shows how the organizational practices within these teachers schools supported strong classroom work. Written in a clear, practical style, this book highlights how educators everywhere can both integrate MI theory and foster exceptional student work. This book will be an invaluable resource for soon-to-be as well as practicing teachers and administrators. ISBN: 978-0205342594

Making Thinking Visible (Article)