A key principle of the Worldwide Cultures of Thinking Project is that for classrooms to be cultures of thinking for students, schools must be cultures of thinking for teachers. Achieving this goal often demands that schools shift and change the types of conversations they must better focus them on issues of teaching and learning than on issues of schooling. We see the most gains in student performance and school transformation when schools make the discussion of thinking, examination of student work, and the taking of risks in trying new teaching practices central to the work of the school.
This 2-day workshop is aimed at laying the groundwork for this type of development shift by exploring ways participants might build on and extend the professional learning culture that currently exists at their schools. We will examine tools, frameworks, protocols, and practices that the Worldwide Cultures of Thinking Project has developed to support the development of cultures of thinking at the school-wide level.
Workshop Overview: Day 1
1. A Leader's Stance
2. 4 Areas of Attention to which Leaders Must Attend in Shepherding Change
3. The Vision of Cultures of Thinking
4. The Tools & Frameworks of Cultures of Thinking
Workshop Overview: Day 2
1. Facilitating Teacher’s Learning
2. Examining our Growth and Development as We Become a Culture of Thinking