"Students of all ages and stages of development can profit from the clarity that Thinking Maps provide." —Bena Kallick, Co-Director Institute for Habits of Mind, Westport, CT "This is one of the rare books that links research and practice to show the true impact of a specific instructional approach on student learning. The research, experiences from the field, vignettes, and work samples are excellent." —Giselle O. Martin-Kniep, President Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd., Floral Park, NY Use Thinking Maps as a GPS for student success Neuroscientists tell us that the brain organizes information in networks and maps. What better way to teach students to express their ideas than with the same method used by the brain? Student Successes With Thinking Maps presents eight powerful visual models that boost all learners′ metacognitive and critical thinking skills. Enriched with new research, a wealth of examples, and cross-content applications, the book also shows how Thinking Maps serve as valuable assessment tools. This novel and effective model helps students Organize thoughts Examine relationships Enhance reasoning skills Create connections between subjects Engage with content The visual nature of Thinking Maps helps level the playing field and is ideal for inclusive settings. Additionally, educators have found that using Thinking Maps for professional development can improve teacher performance, build leadership skills, and raise students′ scores on high-stakes tests. If your goal is to transform your school′s culture, Thinking Maps will put you on the road to success.

This new edition presents eight powerful visual models that boost all learners’ metacognitive and critical thinking skills. Updates include new research, examples, and applications.

"If our best thinking comes by making connections and building patterns, then what would these patterns look like, and what might they be based on?"--Ask the authors. Most importantly, how could they be used? Developing Connective Leadership shows you how Thinking Maps[R] are an efficient and eloquent language that can be used to explore and reveal ideas, thought processes, and intentions. By creating visual representations of thought, leaders create shared understandings and foster connections among staff. Explore how schools have used the Thinking Maps[R] process to create strong collaborative bonds and facilitate shared leadership. As staff members collaborate to construct a shared frame of reference, they are empowered to execute and sustain the school's vision. Benefits include: (1) Offers real-life experiences from school leaders using Thinking Maps[R] for professional development; (2) Identifies eight Thinking Maps[R] used to build connective leadership practices; (3) Suggests how Thinking Maps[R] can be used to reformulate and reconstruct negative or damaging frames of reference; and (4) Discusses how Thinking Maps[R] can energize and inspire insight and solutions.

"Helps teachers think about what they are doing in the classroom with graphic organizers and how they can use them more effectively." —Mark Johnson, Principal Glenwood Elementary School, Kearney, NE "With an emphasis on transforming information into knowledge, everyone who considers themselves a learner or a facilitator of someone else′s learning would benefit from the author′s message and ideas." —Judith A. Rogers, Professional Learning Specialist Tucson Unified School District, AZ Develop students′ thinking, note-taking, and study skills with powerful visual tools! Visual tools have the unique capacity to communicate rich patterns of thinking and help students take control of their own learning. This second edition of A Field Guide to Using Visual Tools shows teachers of all grades and disciplines how to use these tools to improve instruction and generate significant positive changes in students′ cognitive development and classroom performance. Expert David Hyerle describes three basic types of visual tools: brainstorming webs that nurture creativity, graphic organizers that build analytical skills and help process specific content, and concept maps that promote cognitive development and critical thinking. Updated with new research and applications for three kinds of Thinking Maps®, this essential resource: Expands teacher skills with practical guides for using each type of tool Presents recent research on effective instructional strategies, reading comprehension, and how the brain works Includes templates, examples, and more than 70 figures that show classroom applications By utilizing these powerful, brain-compatible learning aids, teachers can help students strengthen higher-order thinking skills, master content and conceptual knowledge, and become independent learners!

Carol Ann Tomlinson and Tonya R. Moon take an in-depth look at assessment and show how differentiation can improve the process in all grade levels and subject areas. After discussing differentiation in general, the authors focus on how differentiation applies to various forms of assessment--pre-assessment, formative assessment, and summative assessment--and to grading and report cards. Readers learn how differentiation can --Capture student interest and increase motivation --Clarify teachers' understanding about what is most important to teach --Enhance students' and teachers' belief in student learning capacity; and --Help teachers understand their students' individual similarities and differences so they can reach more students, more effectively Throughout, Tomlinson and Moon emphasize the importance of maintaining a consistent focus on the essential knowledge, understandings, and skills that all students must acquire, no matter what their starting point. Detailed scenarios illustrate how assessment differentiation can occur in three realms (student readiness, interest, and learning style or preference) and how it can improve assessment validity and reliability and decrease errors and teacher bias. Grounded in research and the authors' teaching experience, Assessment and Student Success in a Differentiated Classroom outlines a common-sense approach that is both thoughtful and practical, and that empowers teachers and students to discover, strive for, and achieve their true potential. This is PDF Format E-book: ISBN 978-1-4166-1773-0

Revised and expanded from the original 4-book Habits of Mind series, this compelling volume shows how developing strong habits of mind is an essential foundation for leading, teaching, learning, and living well in a complex world.