Building A Curious School

This book uncovers the many subtle ways in which formal education seems to hinder our natural curiosity and reveals how rekindling a sense of wonder in schools can prime the pump for learning, foster a culture of engagement, grow better educational leaders, and prepare students and staff to lead more fulfilling lives.

Unleash the power of curiosity and the joy of learning! Curiosity is hardwired in all of us, but the longer students stay in school, the less curious they become. Why is that? Building a Curious School uncovers the many subtle ways in which formal education seems to hinder our natural curiosity and reveals how rekindling a sense of wonder in schools can prime the pump for learning, foster a culture of engagement, grow better educational leaders, and prepare students and staff to lead more fulfilling lives. Grounded in research, this engaging examination of curiosity shows educators how to intentionally cultivate inquisitiveness and wonder in teaching and learning. It includes · A plethora of activities, ideas, and tips to encourage curiosity · Compelling examples of curiosity at work in schools, businesses, and communities · Tools for supporting curiosity in ways that spark meaningful conversations and promote empathy, equity, and social-emotional learning If you′ve ever wondered anything, really—just out of curiosity—then you′ve got what it takes to lead your school to restored curiosity and your students to wellbeing and success. "This book lays out a vision as to the way schools can and should be approached to stimulate curiosity as a natural part of the teaching/learning process." --Robert J. Marzano, Cofounder and CAO, Marzano Resources, Cofounder and Strategic Advisor, Marzano Research "A powerful ‘must-read’ for all educators who want learning not only to be lively but also impactful and meaningful for every student." --Lyn Sharratt, Internship Supervisor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada

Curiosity comes from within—we just have to know how to unleash it. We learn by engaging and exploring, asking questions and testing out answers. Yet our classrooms are not always places where such curiosity is encouraged and supported. Cultivating Curiosity in K–12 Classrooms describes how teachers can create a structured, student-centered environment that allows for openness and surprise, where inquiry guides authentic learning. Award-winning educator Wendy L. Ostroff shows how to foster student curiosity through exploration, novelty, and play; questioning and critical thinking; and experimenting and problem solving. With techniques to try, scaffolding advice, and relevant research from neuroscience and psychology, this book will help teachers harness the powerful drive in all learners—the drive to know, understand, and experience the world in a meaningful way.

Your students will change the world! Today’s learners know they face a complex future. They yearn to live in a world where people are working with purpose, leading with character and making a difference. Learning to identify problems and use smart tools to develop meaningful solutions will help them make a difference in their families, their communities and for society. They need your help. This inspirational, yet practical guide shows educators how to build on students’ own talents and interests to develop their desire for a better world, entrepreneurial mindset and personal leadership skills. Features include: New learning priorities centered around making a difference A framework based on the 25 most important issues of our time Examples and case studies from a diverse range of projects, people, and places Students learn more when they feel a sense of purpose. With adults like you to guide them, they’ll be ready to make a difference—and shape the world to come.

Cultivate a Culture of Learning by Doing In Teacher Development Picture a world where teachers, equipped with the expertise to produce the best outcomes in every context, confidently and intentionally inquire, adapt, and change instruction based on student needs. Do you know how to get them there? Developing Teaching Expertise offers a proactive framework for teachers to work through iterative design cycles and understand how to make ‘what works best’ work in their unique classroom. Aligned to the varied components of teacher professional learning, this book supports the development of teaching expertise by: Exploring how specific design and leadership approaches can be integrated to form a useful framework for leading teacher professional learning Highlighting ways to navigate through complex educational environments Incorporating illustrative tools and vignettes, and real-life examples of results from different educational settings This book offers a deep exploration to lead and intentionally cultivate a culture of lifelong teacher learning.

Be the leader of a fresh, bold, enduring vision of education for your district or school. The future of learning has arrived, and it requires bold educational leadership and a dramatic redefinition of what it means to be a successful student today. Redefining Student Success invites you to lead this transformation with audacity. It engages leaders with the concepts and actions needed to reimagine schools, address inequities, and help today’s students develop the skills they need for personal, economic, and civic success. This vital guide supports transformative leadership with Concrete guidance on how to create a Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait of an Educator which will help ensure teachers have a unified vision for professional growth and student success. Reflection prompts that help you recognize your strengths, spark discussion among stakeholders, and identify next steps for inspired action. Compelling examples of students already engaged in creative, self-directed problem-solving around issues that matter to them and their communities, together with stories that illustrate how districts and schools have arrived at their own vision of what education must become. Companion guides to 21st century learning for parents and students available online. The time is now to reset educational outcomes, sync schools with the demands of 21st century society, and meet the needs of every learner, in every community.

Strategic observation practices to drive coherence and results Supervision is often dreaded by teachers and principals alike because it can be disconnected from the context of the actual classroom and school. But when a culture of supervision is created – by differentiating which practices have the greatest impact in the context of the work educators are doing at the building and individual level – then supervision is about examining practice, working together to solve problems, and constantly improving. Differentiated Supervision shows you how to develop a laser-like focus on improving an entire system while simultaneously addressing the individual needs of a diverse teaching staff. It lifts supervision out of isolation and presents a comprehensive model that provides a coherent method for creating a culture of supervision for supporting individuals, small groups, and the whole school in implementing high leverage strategies that improve student learning. Readers will find: A clear framework for knowing what supervision practices to use when, and for what purpose Useful templates and protocols for different supervision practices on a companion website Helpful examples and vignettes from the field to show how to differentiate supervision for teachers A unique focus on student learning at the center Supervision is more than a series of steps that leads to final evaluation - its changing the culture and achievement in your school from just thinking about it as appraisal, but a powerful mechanism for growth.