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THOUGHTFUL CLASSROOM PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SUITES

A Professional Learning Suite

Unlocking the Power of Comparative Thinking

Tools and strategies for developing one of the most important critical-thinking skills in any classroom: comparison

Comparison Raises Achievement (But Only If Taught Well)

The research is clear: Good comparative thinking leads invariably to higher achievement. But as beneficial as comparison can be, many teachers report that using it in the classroom doesn’t always produce the results that the research suggests. What gives?

This professional learning suite will help you take full advantage of the power of comparative thinking. More specifically, you’ll learn how to

  • Address the most common pitfalls that get in the way of deep comparative thinking.
  • Design and deliver comparison lessons that get students actively engaged in learning content.
  • Use comparison to achieve a variety of objectives, including enhancing classroom discussions, nurturing creativity, and improving students’ decision making.

What Tools & Strategies Will I Find In This Suite?

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Designing Great Comparison Lessons

  • Unlocking the Power of Comparative Thinking: Dr. Harvey Silver walks you through the important research and principles behind effective classroom comparisons.
  • Overcoming the Most Common Pitfalls: Learn how to identify common “comparison pitfalls” and use instructional tools to make comparison lessons more effective
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Other Ways to Use Comparative Thinking

  • Decision Making: Using comparison to make better decisions
  • Metaphorical Expression: Using comparison to stimulate creativity
  • Community CIRCLE: Using comparison to drive classroom discussions
  • Forced Choice: Using comparison to build argument skills

Click above for an advance organizer of the tools and strategies in this suite.

Your Path to Improvement Starts Here

Check Out a Sample TOOL Tutorial

Testimonial: Mary Belcher: Suites 2
“These on-demand suites empower both instructional leaders and teachers to use tools and strategies to improve instruction, engage students in deeper learning, and customize each teacher’s own professional growth path.”

Mary Belcher

Instructional Lead and Learning Acceleration Specialist,

Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC) • Hazard, KY

Testimonial: Mike McQueen

“The Thoughtful Classroom Online Suites naturally and easily expanded my ability to deliver tailored and targeted professional development for my teachers. These suites have been a driving force in my school’s improvement process.”

Mike McQueen

Principal,

C.W. Davis Middle School • Flowery Branch, GA

Testimonial: Sharon Paver-Nepote

“The Thoughtful Classroom Online Suites naturally and easily expanded my ability to deliver tailored and targeted professional development for my teachers. These suites have been a driving force in my school’s improvement process.”

Dr. Sharon Paver-Nepote

Principal,

Wagoner Elementary School • Sauk Village, IL

Testimonial: Mary Belcher: Suites

“Together, the Four Cornerstones and Instructional Designer’s Toolbox suites provide the professional learning foundation that has made it possible for us to build a large-scale PD initiative focused on deeper learning.”

Mary Belcher

Instructional Lead and Learning Acceleration Specialist,

Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC) • Hazard, KY

Check out all of the

Thoughtful Classroom Professional Learning Suites

TOOLS and Strategies for Active, In-depth Learning
Improving Reading Comprehension

A professional learning suite that makes it easy to build students’ reading comprehension skills and deepen their understanding of classroom content

TOOLS and Strategies for Active, In-depth Learning
Unlocking the Power of Comparative Thinking

A professional learning suite that will help you develop one of the most important critical-thinking skills in any classroom: comparison

TOOLS and Strategies for Active, In-depth Learning
Moving From Note Taking to Note Making

A professional learning suite designed specifically to help you help your students become active note makers and effective summarizers

The Four Cornerstones of Effective Classrooms

A professional learning suite that helps teachers improve student behavior, increase student engagement, and raise student achievement

The Instructional Designer’s Toolbox

A professional learning suite that helps teachers create more engaging lessons and units, unpack standards, and integrate instruction and assessment

TOOLS and Strategies for Active, In-depth Learning
Promoting Classroom Inquiry
TOOLS and Strategies for Active, In-depth Learning
Helping Students Connect Personally
to Learning
Developing Clear and Motivating Learning Targets
Using Formative Assessment to Advance Learning
Increasing the Power of Classroom Feedback