Teaching For Mastery

We always strive to make this better for you and your students. Please provide feedback here: https://forms.gle/SssF1zRikJwTtgM88

Hunt the Good Stuff is another great practice for building classroom culture, and it has many other beneficial effects. Extensively researched, this practice builds group cohesion, individual resilience, and even improves immune function. The practice is simple, takes very little time, and has immense benefits.  Hunt the Good Stuff Resource Resilience Training Hunt the Good Stuff Video with Dr. Karen Reivich Podcast creator: Charles Colten; charles@circle123.org Podcast producer: Luke Gannon; lukecgannon@gmail.com

We always strive to make this better for you and your students. Please provide feedback here: https://forms.gle/SssF1zRikJwTtgM88

Why do some people become good in their chosen field, and others become great? Research into mastery and excellence has shown that regardless of what someone is studying, the way they practice determines whether or not their learning will plateau or continuously climb toward mastery. A remarkably simple structure, which we can employ with our students, sets them up for the steadily climb that leads to excellence...in our classes and in the rest of their lives. 

Further research and readings:

1. Deliberate Practice Video
2. Deliberate Practice (article)
3. Deliberate Practice (article)

Podcast creator: Charles Colten; charles@circle123.org

Podcast producer: Luke Gannon; lukecgannon@gmail.com

We always strive to make this better for you and your students. Please provide feedback here: https://forms.gle/SssF1zRikJwTtgM88

Neuroscience and Psychological Research Studies have illuminated strategies and techniques to enhance memory. This very simple and extremely effective method helps students remember and retain what they learn. And although the timing is critical, it takes very little time. 

Further readings and research

1. Read, Recite, Review Strategy (article)

Podcast creator: Charles Colten; charles@circle123.org

Podcast producer: Luke Gannon; lukecgannon@gmail.com

We always strive to make this better for you and your students. Please provide feedback here: https://forms.gle/SssF1zRikJwTtgM88

So many different ways of learning, expressing, and demonstrating competence !!! How can we differentiate our teaching to reach every one of the learners in our class, mates on our team, and members of our community? The Theory of Multiple Intelligences can give us ways of approaching this question so all can succeed, maximize their learning,  bring their personal strengths to the task of schooling, and the build the confidence to use their knowledge and skills in life. 

Further research and reading: 

1. Nine Types of Multiple Intelligences (video)
2. Multiple Intelligences (article)
3. Multiple Intelligences (article)
4. Multiple Intelligences (book)

Podcast creator: Charles Colten; charles@circle123.org

Podcast producer: Luke Gannon; lukecgannon@gmail.com

We always strive to make this better for you and your students. Please provide feedback here: https://forms.gle/SssF1zRikJwTtgM88

The architecture of the mind can be the difference between a student's success and failure. Preparing them to receive information increases their ability to absorb it. The language we use can either enhance or inhibit their progress. Here's how.

Further reading and research: 

1. How to Use Priming to Improve Teaching
2. Stereotype Threat and Performance (article)
3. Stereotype Threat “student/athletes” and Mathematics Scores
4. Stereotype Threat (video)
5. Positive Priming/ Math Moves (video)
6. Priming the Mind (video)

Podcast creator: Charles Colten; charles@circle123.org

Podcast producer: Luke Gannon; lukecgannon@gmail.com

We always strive to make this better for you and your students. Please provide feedback here: https://forms.gle/SssF1zRikJwTtgM88

The Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, is quoted as saying "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Building on this truth, how can we structure our lessons, units, and long-term goals to help our students arrive at their journey's destination? Chunking and Scaffolding are time-tested ways to help them progressively move toward their goals. And keeping them in the Zone of Proximal development inspires them to strive toward each successive step along the way. 

Further research and readings:

1.  Scaffolding Defined
2.  Five Ways to Use Scaffolding Video
3.  Strategies for Using Scaffolding with Your Students
4. Six More Strategies for Using Scaffolding with Your Students
5. Zone of Proximal Development Video
6. What is the Zone of Proximal Development?

Podcast creator: Charles Colten; charles@circle123.org

Podcast producer: Luke Gannon; lukecgannon@gmail.com

We always strive to make this better for you and your students. Please provide feedback here: https://forms.gle/SssF1zRikJwTtgM88

Research on how we praise students has revealed that subtle changes in the way we speak can have profound effects on their long-term motivation, engagement with a subject area, or consistent practice habits. This research gives us a window into, and tools for helping our students cultivate a mindset for sustained curiosity and life-long learning.

Research on Praise, Motivation, and Mindset

1. Growth Mindset and Fixed Mindset Animated Video
2. Mindset book by Carol Dweck
3. Teaching Growth Mindset Video
4. Carol Dweck Revisits Growth Mindset Research
5. Mindset Matters Website

Podcast creator: Charles Colten; charles@circle123.org

Podcast producer: Luke Gannon; lukecgannon@gmail.com

We always strive to make this better for you and your students. Please provide feedback here: https://forms.gle/SssF1zRikJwTtgM88

Synchronous Play helps to build a collaborative classroom culture. It increases pro-social behavior, cooperation, and sense of belonging. But, what is it? And how can we apply it in schools? You may already be doing it with your students, and deliberately building it into the routines can have great benefits for individual students and group cohesion. Plus...it's fun :-)

For more information

1. Daniel Pink, When
2. Synchronous Play Research article
3. Synchronous Play Research article

Podcast creator: Charles Colten; charles@circle123.org

Podcast producer: Luke Gannon; lukecgannon@gmail.com

We always strive to make this better for you and your students. Please provide feedback here: https://forms.gle/SssF1zRikJwTtgM88

This simple, brief technique, "Find the Top of Your Head" helps to tune up and get mentally and physically prepared to get in the "zone" for mastery in teaching (or anything else). It is a synthesis of somatic and attention exercises and is useful  for teachers, students, administrators, and parents alike. In addition to its other benefits, (which are described in the podcast), you can do it anytime, anywhere, and nobody ever needs to know that you are doing it. 

Please try it out, share it with your students and let me know if it helps.

1. Posterior Parietal Cortex overview
2. Representations of Space and the Posterior Parietal Cortex
3. Performance enhancements from stimulation of Posterior Parietal Cortex
4. Posterior Parietal Cortex Functioning

Podcast Creator: Charles Colten; charles@circle123.org

Podcast Producer: Luke Gannon; lukecgannon@gmail.com