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

Featuring Dr. Harvey Silver, today’s leading expert on instructional tools and strategies

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.

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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

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PLUS:

Practical resources to help teachers and PLCs plan, reflect, and analyze student work.

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

Your Path to Improvement Starts Here

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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

Promoting Classroom Inquiry

Turn everyday lessons into inquiry-based learning experiences—no matter what content or grade level you teach.

TOOLS and Strategies for Active, In-depth Learning

Improving Reading Comprehension

Equip students with the reading tools and skills they need to make meaning of challenging texts and understand new content deeply.

TOOLS and Strategies for Active, In-depth Learning

Unlocking the Power of Comparative Thinking

Capitalize on the untapped power of comparison: Use it to design better lessons, enhance classroom discussions, nurture creativity, and improve students’ decision making.

TOOLS and Strategies for Active, In-depth Learning

Moving From Note Taking to Note Making

Help your students become active note makers who can process new learning, manage and summarize information, and use their notes to achieve various learning goals.

Using Feedback to Advance Student Learning

Create a “feedback culture” in your classroom that inspires improvement, leads to deeper learning, and helps all students develop a growth mindset.

The Five Episodes of Effective Instruction

Make the work of instructional design easier and more effective by addressing five universal goals, or episodes, that define all successful learning sequences.

The Four Cornerstones of Effective Classrooms

Learn the essential elements that characterize all effective classrooms—and use them to promote better student behavior and higher levels of thinking and learning.