The Big Idea: All students have run across “know-it-alls”. They might be one themselves. They walk into a room and express supreme confidence with their knowledge. Being humble is seen as a sign of weakness. Then there are those timid …
It seems paradoxical but it’s not. Children’s stories capture our imagination, make us wonder, and reveal the inherent mysteries of life in the simplest and most profound ways. They can also motivate teachers and students of all grade levels and subjects …
The Big Idea: Going through hard times is something most everybody has to do. Some people face hardship and turn away. They become discouraged and think that success is unattainable. Others see hardship as an opportunity for self-motivation, goal-setting and …
“The Danger of a Single Story” is an essay by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie delivered at a TED Talk. The speech works well on its own, or as an introduction to a unit dealing with themes of tolerance, understanding, and humility. …
When teaching the novel, Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan, I would introduce the conversation surrounding Socrates and humility after reading Chapter 5 in the novel, when Esperanza is faced with the realization that she and her mother are now …
Students of all ages enjoy Dr. Seuss stories. The title story in the collection “Yertle the Turtle” tells the tale of a know-it-all dictator turtle who refuses to listen to the members of his kingdom when they warn him of …
Critical thinking is hard work and students know it. To be a good critical thinker a student must examine life closely, ask lots of questions and be tolerant of uncertainty. Often, critical thinking leads to unpleasant truths about people and the world. For many, it’s so much easier to just accept the way the world is and not question it. Students must decide for themselves whether living an examined life is the right path towards fulfillment and happiness.
One short and meaningful poem I enjoy sharing with my students is “I’m Happiest When Most Away” by novelist Emily Brontë. The speaker in this poem enjoys taking time alone to disengage from the world and contemplate life. This poem …
Young readers love to experience the children’s classic “Not a Box” by Antoinette Portis as a read-aloud in class. This book provides a fun and easy-to-understand example of the value of critical thinking and creativity. I would use the Socrates’ …
All students have run across “know-it-alls”. They might be one themselves. They walk into a room and express supreme confidence with their knowledge. Being humble is seen as a sign of weakness. Then there are those timid students who wait patiently, ask questions and only speak when they are certain of something. Confidence and humility are noble traits. The life-long challenge is striking the right balance between the two.
The Big Idea: Children confront problems everyday. Some are small like how to study for an exam or get a ride to school, and some large like how to support their friends who are in unhealthy relationships. All of these …
Though people like Socrates made asking questions seem deceptively simple, it’s actually a very complex process. Here are a few criteria to creating the kinds of deep questions that fuel great conversations. A really good essential question causes confusion and …
