Teaching how to learn in a what-to-learn culture

This vital teachers' resource answers such questions as "Can intelligence be developed? Do teacher expectations shape student learning? How can I make learning 'stick' for my students?" Drawing from theory and research in learning, this book offers clear, practical guidance along with inspirational ideas to show how teachers can enable students to gain both the cognitive competence and confidence needed to succeed academically.

Offers techniques for students to develop their reading, writing, and math abilities Provides suggestions for helping students build perseverance and diligent work habits Helps cultivate students' reasoning skills for problem solving Includes ideas for teachers to improve their students' verbal and written skills

The book applies to any and all learners, including special needs students, and is richly illustrated with stories, activities, and examples from across the curricula.

Author Notes

Kathleen Ricards Hopkins, Ed.D., is executive director of the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD), an international organization dedicated to meeting the needs of students who have difficulty learning, including those with and without specific learning disabilities.

About the Author	p. vii
About the National Institute for Learning Development	p. ix
Foreword	p. xi
Introduction	p. xv
1 The Intelligence Dilemma	p. 1
Opening the Skylight	p. 3
A Conceptual Understanding of Intelligence	p. 4
Defining Intelligence	p. 5
Theory 1 Cast Building	p. 5
Theory 2 Brick Building	p. 5
Theory 3 Mosaic Model	p. 6
Classroom Activity	p. 8
The Root of Intelligence	p. 10
Intellectual Potential?	p. 10
Mediated Learning	p. 11
Practical Application	p. 15
The First Fable	p. 15
Prepare the Lesson	p. 16
Project the Text of the Fable	p. 16
Build Intelligence	p. 17
Develop Cognitive Competence	p. 17
Reflection	p. 19
2 A Way Out of the Pressure Cooker	p. 21
The Pressures Are Real	p. 24
A Survey	p. 25
Identify the Pressures	p. 26
Find the Way Out	p. 27
The Need for Meaningfulness	p. 28
Surface Versus Meaningful Knowledge	p. 29
The Case for Cognitive Modifiability	p. 29
Practical Applications	p. 31
Reflection	p. 34
3 What Every Teacher Needs	p. 37
A Survey	p. 42
Love of Reading	p. 42
Intellectual Curiosity	p. 43
Cultural Literacy	p. 45
Love of Learning	p. 46
Competence and Confidence	p. 47
Reflection	p. 47
4 The Big Picture	p. 51
Analysis or Synthesis?	p. 54
Back to the Classroom	p. 57
The Power of the Lie	p. 58
Rethinking Those Rows	p. 58
Real-Life Challenges	p. 59
The Case for Handwriting	p. 60
An Exercise	p. 61
Practical Application	p. 62
Reflection	p. 64
5 Setting Students Free	p. 67
Ratcheting Up, Not Dumbing Down	p. 69
The First Floor	p. 71
The Second Floor	p. 71
The Third Floor	p. 71
Putting in the Skylight	p. 72
An Interesting Lesson	p. 74
Practical Applications	p. 74
Meaningful Connections	p. 76
Realistic Dreams	p. 78
Reflection	p. 79
6 The Power of Oral Language	p. 81
The Socratic Method	p. 83
The Research	p. 84
Practical Applications	p. 87
A New Kind of Learner	p. 90
Habits of Mind	p. 92
Reflection	p. 94
7 Moving Beyond Memorization	p. 95
Memory Systems	p. 97
Memory Types	p. 101
Practical Application	p. 105
The Text	p. 105
The Lesson	p. 106
Reflection	p. 109
8 Those Inner Voices	p. 111
Inner Speech	p. 115
Executive Function	p. 117
Active Working Memory	p. 118
Practical Application #1	p. 118
The Case for Grammar	p. 121
Practical Application #2	p. 122
Reflection	p. 122
9 Potential Or Propensity?	p. 125
Potential	p. 127
Propensity	p. 128
Building Confidence	p. 129
Practical Applications	p. 130
Mediating a Feeling of Competence	p. 131
Practical Application #1	p. 132
More Practical Applications	p. 135
Reflection	p. 136
10 Rediscovering The Joy	p. 139
What Is Your Skylight?	p. 142
Where Are the Scholars?	p. 142
The Power of the Fable	p. 143
Cultural Relevancy	p. 143
Struggling Learners	p. 144
Consider Your Climate	p. 144
Watch Your Language!	p. 145
Finding Margin	p. 146
One More Fable	p. 147
Professional Joy Restorers	p. 148
A Final Word	p. 149
References	p. 151
Index	p. 153

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Author Notes

Table of Contents