Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
Dear Educator,
As a middle school teacher, I used to always tell my students: “Smart people ask questions.” This always surprised them because they thought they were supposed to have the answers in order to be considered smart.
Studies show that those who are more curious about a topic tend to learn faster. When we are actually curious about something, we develop an authentic urge to learn. It is the curiosity and authentic purpose for learning that propels us to try new things and retain information.
For this week’s Bright Spot, I want to highlight how one educator is motivating students to be curious in their learning.
With Gratitude, Katie
I'd love to hear from you! Reply to this email to share your Bright Spot this week!
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
The Magic of Making Thinking Visible
In a large classroom discussion, you may hear from one or two voices. It can be hard to dive into a topic and ensure all learners have the opportunity to engage with the content, discuss questions, analyze text, or understand multiple perspectives.
Marisa Thompson, an amazing high school English teacher, has developed the TQE (Thoughts, Questions, Epiphanies)Method, where students read a text and make their thinking visible by discussing their ideas. Check out these examples of how she, and many other teachers, adapted this strategy for distance learning.
Another protocol that is great for going deeper and mixing it up is QFT (Question Formulation Technique.
These methods don't only have use in high school English, they can be utilized for a variety of classes, such as current events, math problems, science, historic events, and many other topics. I encourage you to try new strategies to get your students to explore enticing topics and think big.
Interested in exploring ways to spark curiosity in your learners and encourage them to think big? Let's connect!
Below are some resources to support you in implementing new strategies to create authentic learning experiences for your learners.
1. Learner-Centered Collaborative book club. Connect, learn, and get inspired during this free 3-week program geared towards educators and leaders thinking about or actively working toward learner-centered models of education. Starting Monday, Feb 28. Learn more and register now.
2. Curiosity is foundational to learning. Learn more about why fostering curiosity in students is foundational to learning and expanding their horizons in this insightful blog post.
3. The importance of sparking curiosity. Curiosity is the engine of intellectual achievement. Dive into four science-backed reasons why curiosity will drastically improve your quality of life.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
How are you sparking curiosity in your learning community? Use #LCBrightSpots to share your experiences on social media!
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