Category: Learning and Education

Pressed for time in the morning before you head to school? Or maybe you’re tightening your budget when it comes to your daily hygiene purchases? Either way, using something that both protects your skin while working as a functional beauty product can help you kill two birds with one mineral-based stone. Enter: Colorescience. Educators can…

  What Is Cognitive Dissonance? A Definition For Teaching Understanding Cognitive Dissonance: A Psychological Framework for Growth and Learning Human beings strive for consistency between their thoughts, beliefs, and actions.  When an inconsistency arises—when beliefs and behaviors clash—it creates a sense of discomfort or tension known as cognitive dissonance. This concept, first introduced by psychologist…

Diamante poems are a fun way to explore opposites, relationships, and contrasts within a simple, structured format. In just seven lines, these diamond-shaped poems pair distinct ideas in creative ways. Here we’ll walk you through the steps to create a diamante poem, share examples for inspiration, and provide a free printable template to spark your…

by TeachThought Staff In the always-changing–recently even more so–landscape of education, the cultivation of creativity is a vital component of learning. Combinig existing ideas into new forms–into new ideas–is a part of creativity. More than just an artistic endeavor, creativity can lead to curiosity, enhances problem-solving capabilities, and can–well-implemented–a deeper, more authentic and nuanced understanding…

You might not be able to have candles or other fragrant goodies in your classroom, but you deserve to enjoy relaxing aromas at home, especially if your favorite scents help you mark the transition from work to wind-down. Yankee Candle agrees—which is why this long-time favorite brand offers a 10% off discount for educators. Educators…

by Terry Heick What does ‘critical thinking’ mean? Well, that depends on who you ask. For educators, as a term, critical thinking is similar to words like democracy, global, and organic: You hear people use them all the time, but no one seems to understand exactly what they mean. This kind of etymological opacity lends itself…

Dear We Are Teachers,I can’t help but notice that the male teachers at my elementary school somehow never have to do the tasks that go “above and beyond” the duty of a teacher. They’re never on the list to volunteer to help out, lead a group activity, or organize (or contribute to) a potluck. They’re…

by TeachThought Staff What is learned helplessness? Definition Learned helplessness is a psychological condition in which a person, after repeated failures or negative experiences, believes they have no control over situations’ outcomes and stops trying to improve or change them. Below is an example of Learned Helplessness in the classroom. Instructor: The biggest fear for…

When students see poetry as a boring unit that’s all about love and feelings, it’s time to shake it up. Poets have always had a sense of humor, and students who appreciate sarcasm, wit, and outright jokes will love these funny poems. Put a few of these poems on the whiteboard or in their poetry…

by TeachThought Staff Whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world in many ways. Education is one of the areas affected by it. How can teachers use AI and guide their students through the challenging world of new technologies? Although AI-based tools are fairly new, we can safely say that…