5.2.7 Building a Culture of Thinkers for Every Learner

Educators will learn to guide students to become independent thinkers, applying depth and complexity to truly “own” their learning through collaborative, intentional activities designed to address social, emotional, and intellectual development. Teachers will be able to differentiate and identify under-served populations, highly capable, gifted, and special education students by creating a portfolio of responses that demonstrate a clear delineation of rigor and ability. The possibility for formal and informal assessments drives the progress for achieving the outcome at a much higher level of learning than traditional paper/pencil tests. Student success is virtually guaranteed through rigorous classroom discussions that promote engagement, relationships, self-confidence, and synergy. Integrating the critical and creative thinking, research-based framework of Talents Unlimited will lead to engaging, rigorous activities and conversations while building relationships where shared learning occurs. The teacher becomes the facilitator providing a rich, meaningful atmosphere with potential in identifying underserved populations, as well as highly capable and gifted students. Participants will develop a definition and example of what a culture of thinkers looks like; follow the paradigm shift of teacher as facilitator of learning who creates opportunities for student growth and development; lead students to ownership of their learning through engaging, cooperative activities that promote collaboration and establishment of relationships, leading to improved self-esteem; differentiate instruction and scenarios to identify under-served, highly capable, gifted, and special education populations through the creation of authentic samples of student responses that lend themselves to informal assessment; and equip participants with a plan of action to establish a positive, enriching atmosphere that encourages students to meet high expectations without fear of failure

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