Thinkers are characterized by their curiosity, willingness to explore different approaches, and the ability to think critically about a task. Thinking generates learning. The question for us as teachers is “How much thinking are our students doing?” Students who succeed in […]

Educator and children’s author, Jeff Kubiak, identifies how we as teachers can focus on empowering students with stories of failure, success, and resilience. Thoughts and resources for random acts of kindness are explored. Find Jeff’s books & resources here. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find […]

This week I was working with a group of Arkansas educators examining the impacts of the Common Core Curriculum on their approach to teaching. We explored creativity and critical think skills as elements of desired learning outcomes. From the 21st Century Partnership site, we examined the need for Learning and Innovation skills: “Learning and innovation […]

Part of my presentation last week to the teachers of Aruba involved the formula on effort that is in Tapping Student Effort…Increasing Student Achievement. The formula reads: “Effort times ability focused on a manageable task equals success.” We discussed in Aruba the value of teachers consciously teaching students ”how to effort” (Some of you may […]