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Engaging Learning Practices and Higher Level Thinking!

Home ยป Engaging Learning Practices and Higher Level Thinking!
Digging Deep DOK, Bloom's, & Learning Practices

Engaging Learning Practices and Higher Level Thinking!

Engaging and engaging learning practices and higher level thinking should be at the core, the driving force, behind our daily lessons. Let’s face it, a lot of work is involved in making that happen.

Common Core’s Roll

Set aside any negatives you may have about common core – at the foundation – the expectation is that students master concepts, feel success through critical thinking, and can strategize effectively. These are tools we need in everyday life. I’m all for it.

I’m pretty happy about the whole college and career readiness push. The career part is what makes me happy. We’ve been focusing a lot on those kiddos heading off to college quite a bit. So many others have been left behind. They are behind and lacking critical thinking skills. That’s not a great mix.

For quite a while I was bothered by the whole gifted program. We call it GATE around here. The desire to foster critical, deep thinkers has always been a cornerstone in gifted student programs. It’s bothered me that it has been something that is restricted to only those students labeled GATE.

I have always tried to ensure that this concept has been  blankets the entire sea of students, regardless of the acronym (or lack thereof) attached to their name.

All kiddos can and should engage with critical, deep thinking tools. The MPS (mathematical practice standards) that cropped up with common core, are learning practices that are vital to all thinking and learning in all content areas.

There are 3 fantastic ways to help students *think* and truly invest in the concepts to build schema and attain mastery.

Cross Curriculum Learning Practices Posters

1. Learning Practices

One of the primary tools we use in class is cross-curricular learning practices. Many of the concepts show up in the math standards practices and GATE depth and complexity icons. There is no reason to limit thinking skills to one area of curriculum. The more the kiddos use them, the more competent they’ll be with them. We use these strategies all day in all subjects.

I have these in clear view on my white board all year so we can refer to them when we are trying to figure something out. We discuss critical thinking and thinking with a STRONG brain.

I put business card magnets (afflink) on the back of them so I can take them down and move them wherever I need to if we need to get.a.point.across.

Learning Practices

I like using the smaller versions of these cards on a ring for quick reference.

Learning Practices

2. Higher Levels of Thinking with Depth of Knowledge

I have these little posters coupled with  depth of knowledge posters. My kiddos quickly learn to expect that I am going to ask them why, or ask them to demonstrate, or show me, or build it with your partner. I  tell them we need to dig deeper and think higher.

3 Ways to Build Higher Level Thinking

My classroom decor is light and bright – so this version works best there. But I also made the cards in black. I LOVE how everything POPS on them.  

3 Ways to Build Higher Level Thinking

High Expectations and Lightbulb Moments

Instilling high expectations for thinking in your kiddos does so much for them. The thrill they get from figuring out a difficult concept… that lightbulb moment… is exhilarating and addictive. They will want to work for that again and again. Students take so much pride in what they are able to accomplish. Encouragement to reach another level is often all it takes.

Engaged Thinking

This resource includes an “older student” version of these cards – so they are useful reminders for all classrooms

3. New Bloom’s

I also love the update to Bloom’s Taxonomy. The *newer* order makes a lot more sense and is easier to incorporate. I use little cards as a quick reference to help me come up with questions and activities that will help the kiddos engage those higher orders of thinking.

Use these questions to help build lessons, take discussions farther, inspire topic journaling.

Bloom's Quick Cards

DIGGING DEEP

3 Ways to Build Higher Level Thinking

These 3 essential learning tools for higher-level, critical-thinking and depth and complexity are part of Digging Deep. In that resource you’ll find:

  • Full-size and 1/2 size posters
  • Black and white backgrounds on all
  • Younger and Older student versions
  • Background and instructions on these practices, questions and techniques
  • New Edition Bloom’s taxonomy quick reference cards

EDIT:  BONUS file has been added to this resource! This one includes the same cards, but with a slightly different look – in line with my vanilla sherbet theme in my classroom.  

Digging Deep

  You can grab this DIGGING DEEP resource in my store:

Digging Deep

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14 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Megan Lord
    · Reply

    January 2, 2015 at 3:41 AM

    How do you download the quick cards? They look adorable but I can't figure out how to get them.

    • [email protected]
      · Reply

      January 3, 2015 at 5:01 AM

      Hi Megan,
      They are under the "Exclusive Fan Freebies" tab on my FB page. You have to be on your computer to see that tab on FB. Their mobile apps don't allow you to see tabs.

  • Sue H.
    · Reply

    March 20, 2015 at 1:42 PM

    I don't see them, either. I'm trying from my computer.

    • [email protected]
      · Reply

      March 21, 2015 at 7:27 PM

      Sue, you have to visit my Facebook page. Once there, click the "Fan Freebies" tab at the top. Look for the Digging Deep file in the list of free files I have available. That's where you will find the Bloom's cards. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Heba Badawi
      · Reply

      August 15, 2016 at 2:32 AM

      I went to the fan freebies page but cannot seem to find these anywhere? hmmm…

  • Megan Dugdale
    · Reply

    April 23, 2015 at 11:39 PM

    Hi,

    I was wondering if there is a way to download the fan freebie "Blooms Quick Cards" without Facebook? I don't have facebook.

    Megan D

  • Wendy Gonzalez
    · Reply

    September 7, 2015 at 2:14 AM

    Thank you so much!! I love the Bloom's Quick Cards! Your products are beautiful.

    • [email protected]
      · Reply

      September 7, 2015 at 4:47 AM

      You're welcome and thank you, Wendy!

  • Molly Herpy
    · Reply

    June 2, 2017 at 11:43 AM

    I am so frustrated, I have tried several different ways to get your Bloom’s Quick Cards.
    HELP!!!!!

    • Traci
      · Reply

      Author
      June 4, 2017 at 12:07 AM

      Hi Molly,
      Because of all of Facebook’s changes, the only way you can see the FREE files is if you are on a computer. The link to FAN FREEBIES is on the left side of my page. You will want to click on the file Digging Deep Freebie. Those cards are part of my Digging Deep resource on TpT.

      Thanks!
      Traci

  • Molly Herpy
    · Reply

    June 4, 2017 at 11:58 AM

    Tracie, I have not tied it yet.
    But thank you, can’t wait!

    • Traci
      · Reply

      Author
      June 12, 2017 at 6:07 PM

      Molly, I just wanted to let you know that if you sign up here on my site for email notifications, you will have access to that FREEBIE and several others. I decided to add that option to work around the difficulty of FB. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Lori Norrick
    · Reply

    July 11, 2017 at 5:36 PM

    I can’t get the facebook link to open…it says the page doesn’t exist.

    • Traci
      · Reply

      Author
      July 11, 2017 at 10:52 PM

      Hi Lori, I’ve moved the file – FB was making things a little difficult. Sign up to follow me via email. I’ve added the link to this post (and it’s on the right side of this website). You’ll have access to that freebie and many others. ๐Ÿ™‚

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Iโ€™m passionate about helping teachers find their joy, develop efficiency and ignite their own teaching strengths. I’m so happy you’re here!

 

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Hi! I’m Traci and I’m super glad you’re here. Iโ€™m passionate about sharing all the *wisdom* gained over my many years of teaching. I love helping teachers find their joy, develop efficiency and ignite their own teaching strengths. I believe simplicity and fun coupled with effective strategies and engaging and focused lessons are the key to it all. Also… laughter can carry you through just about all things.

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