August 11, 2026
Imagine walking into a cinema where the scenes are shuffled—characters appear before their introductions, and the climax happens midway. You’d
A research-informed guide with definition, benefits, classroom strategies, and a clear comparison to summative assessment. Formative assessment is not an
by Terry Heick I recently attended a screening of a documentary on Wendell Berry at the Louisville Speed Art Museum.
by Terry Heick In our recent post, Education’s Curious Fascination With Uniformity, reader James Foss left a useful comment that
12 Teacher Productivity Tools That Actually Save Time Time is the scarcest resource in a teacher’s day. Good tools protect
by TeachThought Staff I’ve written many times about Wendell Berry and the effect he has had on me professionally and
As many Literature/ELA teachers know, T.S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is a worth teaching for any
Originally published in 2012 Like thinking, reading in the 21st century is different than in centuries past, endlessly linked in
“We are what we have done, which includes our promises, includes our hopes, but promises first.” — Wendell Berry Source
by Terry Heick Every few months, I see an article making the rounds that critical thinking isn’t a skill and
by Terry Heick What did John Dewey believe? While known by teachers for his work in education (he was a
by TeachThought Staff Critical thinking isn’t a skill, nor is it content knowledge or even evidence of understanding. While it
by TeachThought Staff There are many ways to encourage a child, but for students of any age, honest, authentic, and
by Terry Heick Humility is an interesting starting point for learning. In an era of media that is digital, social,
A critical thinking strategy is simply a ‘way’ to encourage or facilitate the cognitive act of thinking critically. Critical thinking
See also The Real You Is All Of Us In the last ten years, too many teachers have left the
12 Articles About Critical Thinking In The Classroom by TeachThought Staff Critical thinking remains one of the most discussed—and least
Costa’s Levels of Questioning — designed by educational researcher Art Costa — feature three tiers of questioning designed to promote
contributed by Angela Peery Picture a classroom full of youngsters. They could be darling, chubby-cheeked kindergartners or swaggering, confident high
Knowledge is limited. Knowledge deficits are unlimited. Knowing something–all of the things you don’t know collectively is a form of
0 “Self-belief does not necessarily ensure success, but self-disbelief assuredly spawns failure.” (Albert Bandura) Those who are new to
1 by TeachThought Staff At the end of the day, teaching is about learning and learning is about understanding. And
Educators and students at all levels are using design thinking to create solutions for real-world problems. Whether you’re new to
by Terry Heick The influence of Berry on my life–and thus inseparably from my teaching and learning–has been immeasurable. His
The New Periodic Table Song In Order (To Make You And Your Students Crazy) by TeachThought Staff There once was
It boils down to purpose. In 50 Ways To Measure Understanding, I talked about the purpose of assessment: Assessment: Of
In 2013, I wrote a post for edutopia exploring the difference between students and learners. As ‘learning trends’ become the
by Terry Heick This is a sponsored post. You can read more about our sponsored content policy here. This is
by TeachThought Staff In 13 Brilliant Outcomes Of Project-Based Learning, we gave a quick example of project-based learning to illustrate
Beyond the Hype: Practical Big Data for Educators The term ‘big data’ can sound abstract, but in education, its power
What Is Cognitive Dissonance? A Definition For Teaching Understanding Cognitive Dissonance: A Psychological Framework for Growth and Learning As
Standing for Critical Thinking and Progress by Terrell Heick At TeachThought, we have always focused on promoting critical thinking cross
by Terry Heick With so much else to do and a subsequent loss of academic structure, most research shows children
Selected Timeline of Educational Technology (2000–2025) 2000–2003 Digital tools begin to enter classrooms, led by interactive whiteboards and early online
Teaching Is Human Work. Systems Aren’t Built for That. Teaching Is Human Work. Systems Aren’t Built for That. Education is
by Terry Heick This post has been updated from a version published in 2013 Good teaching is a major undertaking.
by Terry Heick Looking for the best source of education research? The one with authentic data, practical studies, and a
by Terry Heick Learning is a culture. It starts there—with the students first as human beings needing to understand their
Teaching Is Human Work. Systems Aren’t Built for That. Teaching Is Human Work. Systems Aren’t Built for That. Education is
26 Of The Best Free Artificial Intelligence Tools by TeachThought Staff This is obviously a field that changes fast. This
by Terry Heick Understanding where curiosity comes from is the holy grail of education. Education, of course, is different than
by Terry Heick This article was originally written in 2011 and most recently updated in 2025 Gamification is simply the
by Terry Heick In his essay Two Minds, Wendell Berry, unsurprisingly enough, offers up two tones of thought produced by
If correctly prepared for, a Socratic seminar can be a powerful catalyst for social learning. Many teachers we know have
1. Brian Johnson: How to teach ‘for’ students, not ‘at’ them Big Idea: Educators should prioritize student engagement by teaching
by TeachThought Staff The activities below are designed to be simple, flexible, and fun, making them perfect for learners of
by TeachThought Staff There is a difference between gamification and game-based learning, and this post focuses on the latter. Essentially,
by Terry Heick It’s not the thinking behind an idea that should bother us, but rather the effect of the
by Terry Heick Note: This has been updates from a 2018 version Just a quick post that’s self-explanatory enough: It’s
A Conversion Chart For Reading Level Measurement Tools by TeachThought Staff If you’ve used AR (Accelerated Reader) as a reading
On Student Engagement: How To Be As Interesting As A Video Game Terry Heick Agreeing on how to best establish
by TeachThought Staff At TeachThought, we’re interested supporters of any learning taxonomy. (We even created our own, the TeachThought Learning Taxonomy.)
by TeachThought Staff At TeachThought, we’ve described Bloom’s Taxonomy as “a hierarchical ordering of cognitive skills that can, among countless
by TeachThought Staff Bloom’s Taxonomy’s verbs–also known as power verbs or thinking verbs–are extraordinarily powerful instructional planning tools. In fact,
by TeachThought Staff At TeachThought, we’re enthusiastic supporters of any learning taxonomy. (We even created our own, the TeachThought Learning Taxonomy.)
by TeachThought Staff At TeachThought, we’ve described Bloom’s Taxonomy as “a hierarchical ordering of cognitive skills that can, among countless
by Terry Heick Agreeing on how to best establish what a learner understands isn’t simple — if for no other
by Terry Heick Are there questions students can ask themselves while you’re teaching? Questions that can guide and support their
Learning–real, informal, authentic, and lifelong learning–can ‘begin’ with just about anything. In that way, this is obviously not an exhaustive
1. Brian Johnson: How to teach ‘for’ students, not ‘at’ them Big Idea: Educators should prioritize student engagement by teaching
by TeachThought Staff The activities below are designed to be simple, flexible, and fun, making them perfect for learners of
by TeachThought Staff In The Difference Between Between Gamification and Game-Based Learning, we learned the difference between the two. “Gamification
by TeachThought Staff There is a difference between gamification and game-based learning, and this post focuses on the latter. Essentially,
by Terry Heick It’s not the thinking behind an idea that should bother us, but rather the effect of the
by TeachThought Staff What makes up a classroom? Is it the space? A room, for example? Is it the purpose?
If correctly prepared for, a Socratic seminar can be a powerful catalyst for social learning. Many teachers we know have
Teach Students To Think Irrationally by Terry Heick Formal learning is a humbling thing. As planners, designers, executors, and general
by TeachThought Staff While the scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Investigating Healthy Minds (CIHM) at the Waisman
What Is The Library Of Congress? by TeachThought Staff The recent dismissal of Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of
contributed by Kathy Glass We often ask students to use context clues to figure out a word’s meaning. That makes
by TeachThought Staff So you’re considering taking a teaching job? Or at least interviewing? What should you be asking to
12 Articles About Critical Thinking In The Classroom by TeachThought Staff Critical thinking remains one of the most discussed—and least
The concept of teaching creativity has been around for quite some time. See also What Is Divergent Thinking? Much of
1. Master the Search Bar: Your Time-Saving Powerhouse Don’t waste time scrolling through endless files. Google Drive’s search bar is
by TeachThought Staff Creativity is often associated with elementary students who are encouraged to draw or color to self-express. According
In a world full of stimuli, sensory rooms are becoming an essential tool for schools looking to better support students
by TeachThought Staff Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space (University of Arizona) Comprehensive introduction to the universe, from planets to galaxies.
The Foundational 4 Cs of Critical Thinking in K-12 Education by TeachThought Staff What Are The 4 Cs of Critical
Teaching Strategies For Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs by TeachThought Staff Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, developed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in
by TeachThought Staff We’ve looked at icebreakers for kids–elementary school students, for example. How about another of an easy to
by TeachThought Staff Today’s product Pick Of The Day is a childhood classic on almost every self-respected reading list in
Let’s face it. Everyone wants to learn faster. Whether you’re working with a maths tutor in Brisbane or studying on
Standing for Critical Thinking and Progress by Terrell Heick At TeachThought, we have always focused on promoting critical thinking cross
by TeachThought Staff Self-Directed Learning is not a new concept, but it’s often misunderstood—especially in the context of K-12 classrooms. In
What Is Cognitive Dissonance? A Definition For Teaching Understanding Cognitive Dissonance: A Psychological Framework for Growth and Learning Human
What is social learning? Social learning theory is a behavioral theory that posits that new behaviors can be learned by
A List Of Free MOOCs For Teachers & Students contributed by TeachThought Staff While the initial surge of enthusiasm for
by TeachThought Staff Understanding how the brain actually learns has been a a scientific challenge for millennia. Based on recent
by TeachThought Staff Reading is simply a sequence of symbol interpretation. By understanding that letters make sounds, we can blend
by TeachThought Staff In the always-changing–recently even more so–landscape of education, the cultivation of creativity is a vital component of
A critical thinking strategy is simply a ‘way’ to encourage or facilitate the cognitive act of thinking critically. Critical thinking
Good training data is key for AI models. Mistakes in data labeling can cause wrong predictions, wasted resources, and biased
by Terry Heick How can you tell if a student really understands something? They learn early on to play the
Social media content creators make anywhere from $500 to $50,000+ monthly. Learning to edit videos that stand out on social
contributed by Irena Nayfeld, TeachThought PD Inquiry Workshop Facilitator Those of us who spend our days around young children hear
by Terry Heick What does ‘critical thinking’ mean? Well, that depends on who you ask. For educators, as a term,
Billions upon billions of people in the world have been connected by the internet, which has provided the ability to
contributed by Owen M. Wilson, University of Texas El Paso A logical fallacy is an irrational argument made through faulty reasoning
by Terry Heick What’s the 3-2-1 strategy? The 3-2-1 strategy is simply a format that can frame–well, really anything. Examples
Protecting Student Data In The AI Classroom With A VPN AI is transforming education, but with increased tech comes increased
The world is changing fast, and traditional education often fails to keep up. While students are taught math, science, and
by Terry Heick The long-term output of any school should be not just proficient students, but enabled learners. An “enabled”
In this blog, we’re diving into 10 game-changing ways a simple video clipper can save you tons of time and
College students face rising costs for education every year, causing many to juggle work, studies, and looming debt. The CollegeBoard’s
by Terry Heick This is a quick post that just occurred to me while writing about–well, writing about writing. I
I. Human beings are capable of extraordinary joy and extraordinary suffering. II. Suffering is inherent in the human condition and
contributed by Rob Steller Engagement isn’t an on and off switch. There are levels to student engagement and if a mind
Cybersecurity 101: Essential Tips for Students & Teachers The rise of digital learning has transformed education, providing unprecedented connectivity and
Why People Play Video Games Why We Play Video Games: How Our Desire For Games Shapes Our World was first
Critical thinking is a skill we’re told to cultivate, like reading literature or maintaining eye contact during small talk. It’s
by Terry Heick Simple premise, as titled: what sorts of ‘things’ make teaching unsustainable, and what sort of advice can
Whether you’re using formative assessment for data to personalize learning within a unit, or more summative data to refine a
by Terry Heick As a follow-up to our 9 Characteristics of 21st Century Learning we developed in 2009, we have
The Precious First Few Minutes Of Class The traditional scene is familiar: Students drift into class while we announce “Your
To grow, teachers must be able to reflect critically on their own performance. Education is ‘actuated’ by teachers. It makes
In today’s digital landscape, social media platforms have become crucial for educational engagement, especially in STEM fields. TikTok, a leading
In the digital age, branding has evolved into an art and a science, requiring businesses to craft unique visual identities
Everyone loves Instagram Reels. Content creators are facing high competition to gain the attention of their audience. Attractive and clean
Use Classroom Management Platforms and Other Tools to Overcome Barriers in Learning a Language contributed by Al Kingsley, CEO of
College planning often feels overwhelming for families. Parents juggle excitement about their child’s future with anxiety over the financial, emotional,
The massive T-Mobile data breach in 2023, which exposed 37 million customers’ data, was a stark reminder: cybersecurity isn’t just
Harnessing Kairos: Balancing Structured Time and Learning Velocity in K-12 Classrooms Time in education is about more than minutes on
by Terry Heick Reflection is a fundamental tenet of learning; it is also, therefore, a fundamental part of teaching. Why
by Terry Heick What are the different types of questions? Turns out, it’s pretty limitless. I’ve always been interested in
by TeachThought Staff In a world filled with noise, division, and endless demands on our attention, Wendell Berry’s poem The
by Grant Wiggins & The TeachThought Staff Admit it–you only read the list of the six levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, not
The Best Science Podcasts by TeachThought Staff Today, there is a wealth of content out there that’s both educational and
Tone As A Cause And Effect Of Learning by Terrell Heick In 20 Words That Can Affect How Students Think,,
by Terry Heick I first encountered the 40/40/40 rule years ago while skimming one of those giant (and indispensable) 400
This post was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2024 by Terrell Heick 1. In the article, headline, or
by Terry Heick In a profession increasingly full of angst and positioning and corrective policy, there are few ideas as
Gamification is used in many fields and industries. It is meant to promote customer loyalty in business: ” Find a
There are many obstacles to navigate when running a business. Challenges are around every corner, and one wrong move can
ما هي الأصول التي يمكن تداولها من خلال العقود مقابل الفروقات هي عقود مشتقة ولا تمنحك ملكية مباشرة للأصل الأساسي.
by TeachThought Staff The internet loves many things. It loves cats, for example. Memes, too. It loves videos, which means
50 Inspirational And Motivational Quotes by TeachThought Staff What are some of the most inspirational quotes about life? Well, that
by TeachThought Staff What is learned helplessness? Definition Learned helplessness is a psychological condition in which a person, after repeated
We make lasting connections through play, but the role of play in learning is an idea that continues to meet
by TeachThought Staff AI-Driven Climate Modeling Researchers use advanced AI models to predict climate changes more precisely. This project integrates
by TeachThought Staff Definition: Duolingo is a popular language-learning platform that provides free online courses in multiple languages. Audience: K-12
by TeachThought Staff There are many ways to encourage a child, but for students of any age, honest, authentic, and
by Terry Heick I was speaking (tweeting) with Mark Barnes tonight, and he mentioned the idea of challenging existing forms
Abstract Collaboration between teachers and principals is essential for creating thriving educational communities that enhance student achievement and teacher performance.
Information and Communication Overloading (ICO) and “Mindful Media” contributed by Dr. Domenico Meschino In today’s digital age, children are immersed
by Terry Heick While I often talk about ‘scale’ as one of the primary challenges in education–and have also wondered about
by Terry Heick Grading problems are one of the most urgent bugaboos of good teaching. Grading can take an extraordinary
15 Alternatives To Report Cards In The K-12 Classroom by TeachThought Staff Like lunchboxes (or brown paper sacks), field trips,
contributed by Dr. Kymm Ballard, Executive Director for SPARK Think about any time you’ve seen “army boot camp” portrayed in pop culture
Bertrand Russell’s 10 Essential Rules Of Critical Thinking by Terry Heick For a field of study that explores the nature
Labeling a book “great” is a matter of opinion, but when you pile together the opinion of 13 other book-loving
How To Filter Your Email using Search Operators by TeachThought Staff It’s almost 2025, and I’m on what seems to
What Are Google Search Operators? by TeachThought Staff Google search operators are special characters and commands you can use to
Using Goal Setting and Data Tracking to Enhance Student Agency and Achievement contributed by Samantha Lopez As educators, we are
What Is Life About? The Best Quotes We Could Find by TeachThought Staff What Is Life About? The Best Quotes
contributed by Samantha Saumell, I Have, Not I Am All teachers want to help students become successful readers and writers. Whether
Critical thinking is the ongoing application of unbiased analysis in pursuit of objective truth. Although its name implies criticism, critical
Education has gone beyond acquiring knowledge to acquiring skills using EdTech tools; students learn digital literacy, teamwork, and critical thinking
Address Common Project-Based Learning Challenges Through Culture-Building contributed by Sara Segar, Experit Learning Depot I would never claim to be
by TeachThought Staff In ‘Shifts For The Classroom of the Future,’ Terrell Heick said, “It’s challenging enough to manage a
by TeachThought Staff As learning becomes increasingly digital, access becomes increasingly important. The Flipped Classroom, for example, requires technology that
by Terrell Heick It isn’t clear what the original goal of social media was. No single person, organization, or platform
by Terry Heick Education is a series of learning experiences informed by policy, and actuated by teachers. Policy, by its
by TeachThought Staff Welcome to a new school year! While most teachers and students have so much to look forward
by TeachThought Staff Team-building activities are great–especially for the first day of school or early in the school year, Not
by TeachThought Staff Life can be crushingly busy–especially if you’re an educator or any other profession where deadlines are constant
Strategies for Teaching AI Concepts Without Technology by TeachThought Staff Preface: This post is primarily for general content-area K-12 teachers
by Terry Heick My wife is a schoolteacher, and recently I’ve been listening to her online meetings. And there have
by Terry Heick It’s possible that there is no time in the history of education that our systems of educating
AI is quickly becoming a powerful change in online language learning (i.e., through eLearning), and it can significantly change how
by Terrell Heick Will robots replace teachers? I was asked this in an interview a years ago for Futurism and
by TeachThought Staff Paulo Freire’s “The Pedagogy of the Oppressed” is a foundational text in educational theory. Its enduring significance
In the vast ocean of academic tasks, writing is a challenging and crucial skill for success at school and beyond.
Technology has transformed how you interact with your educational materials. From AI tutors that provide personalized learning experiences to digital
Setting specific goals isn’t just about ticking off checkboxes; it’s about charting a path toward academic excellence and personal growth.
by Terry Heick Phonemic awareness is knowing that certain letters make certain sounds. Phonemic awareness is knowing that sounds can
“Let’s get out our [independent/book club/whole class] books and open to page __!” At least one student in the room
by Terry Heick Quality—you know what it is, yet you don’t know what it is. But that’s self-contradictory. But some
by TeachThought Staff In just the last decade, the image of technology in the classroom has shifted from rows of
The Difference Between Constructivism And Constructionism by Terry Heick While working on the learning theory visual overview, I realized I
by TeachThought Staff The field of healthcare is experiencing rapid growth globally as people live longer lives. This expansion requires
by Terry Heick Having gone on for decades now, discussions around the idea of ed reform are a bit tired.
by Terry Heick If the ultimate goal of education is for students to be able to answer questions effectively, then
by TeachThought Staff What are the types of assessment for learning? And more importantly, when should you use which? If
by Terry Heick A few years ago, I wrote about Types of Learning Journals and reflection was a part of
Embracing the Future of Social Work Through Online Education by TeachThought Staff The social work profession is on the cusp
by Terry Heick Reflection is a natural part of learning. We all think about new experiences–the camping on the car
Title: Embracing Statistics: A Pillar of Modern STEM Education In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
Once it’s begun, it’s difficult to fully separate the person from the task. When the artist is painting, the painter
contributed by Beth Rush, Managing Edition at Body + Mind The image of your 5-year-old sitting serenely on a yoga
50 Of The Best Quotes About Reading by TeachThought Staff Literacy—the ability to read and write—is the foundation of formal,
How to Transform Your Study Sessions: Notes, Help, and Hacks for the Modern Student by TeachThought Staff Transforming your study
contributed by Edelyn Bontuyan What makes traditional learning click? In-person learning. As a teacher, your students look up to you
contributed by Michael Mirra Abstract Diversity has been at the forefront of educational discussions over the last few years. When
Richard Feynman On Knowing Versus Understanding by TeachThought Staff Who is Richard Feynman? Richard Feynman, born in 1918, was a
contributed by Barbara R. Blackburn Differentiation is a popular concept in today’s schools. After all, it makes sense. We’d all
contributed by TeachThought Staff Language is a wonderful thing. It is the common thread that binds entire societies, allowing ease
contributed by Dr. Kara Stern, SchoolStatus Head of Education Solutions Recognizing school/home communication’s profound impact on student success and well-being
contributed by Dr. Zak Cohen In 2009, President Obama spoke to a group of students at Wakefield High School in
by TeachThought Staff Thinking in the 21st century is just different. That doesn’t mean we’re all suddenly omnipotent cyborgs, nor
by TeachThought Staff Do not limit a child to your own learning, for they were born for another time. R