Why is it important to teach literary understanding? It is through reading, thinking, and discussing literature that students find alternative ways to gain knowledge and solve problems. Through sharing of understandings, they learn not only important content but also cognitive, critical, and social strategies needed for success in academic…

Programs to teach students critical thinking must empower them to be self-directed, but they must also stress respect and empathy for the viewpoints of others. (Author/TE)

Approaches to teaching thinking such as direct teaching of thinking skills and metacognitive approaches, if applied thoughtlessly, can backfire and inhibit thinking, especially with students who are already able, but unconventional, thinkers. We do not know enough about the nature of thinking processes to warrant a mandated thinking skills…

A response to the opinion by John Baer that teaching thinking puts able thinkers at risk. The chances are greater that educators may retreat from teaching thinking if they are uncertain about the importance and possibility thereof than that able students will be harmed by efforts to help them. (Author/TE)

Evidence from the Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) program suggests that at-risk students show little understanding of content without first receiving concentrated instruction in understanding itself. Teaching thinking skills to at-risk students requires a thinking environment, consisting of exploratory conversations, stimulation of curiosity,…

Outlines two mathematics teaching strategies: the exploration/discovery approach to mathematical concepts, and the use of pair group problem-solving. These require teachers to shift from the traditional role of lecture/demonstrator to a role demanding new skills in planning and facilitating student work. Includes 10 references. (MD)

Suggests that curriculum formation at tribal colleges can benefit from incorporating adult learning principles. Reviews characteristics of adult learners, information on learning styles and learning strategies, the importance of teaching style and of relevant content, and situational factors affecting learning. (DMM)

Educators have shown great interest in teaching thinking in the last five years. This overview introduces thinking skills instruction as the theme of this issue of "Educational Leadership" and distinguishes three different approaches: teaching for thinking, teaching about thinking, and teaching of thinking. (TE)

The notion that thinking can be taught as a separate skill is a philosophical mistake. Teachers who are knowledgeable about their subject, who understand how it differs from other disciplines, and who can convey this to their students are already teaching thinking skills. (TE)

Suggests greater emphasis on middle school music education, both as part of general education and of the curriculum's exploratory component. Argues that music can add emotion to social studies and promote learning in all subject areas through rhythm, rhyme, and repetition. Calls for student opportunities to explore instruments and composition. (SG)

To be effective in the current rapidly changing environment, individuals need more than a knowledge base. They also need information literacy which includes techniques for exploring new information, synthesizing it, and using it in practical ways. Undergraduate education should focus on such resource-based learning directed at problem solving.…

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools believes that programs to improve the undergraduate teaching and learning process should include an appropriate emphasis on information literacy and other resource-based learning strategies. College mission and goal statements and the accreditation process should all reflect this focus.…

Explores student assessment by portfolio approach as used in the Arts PROPEL project. Argues that the content of art knowledge is embedded in a process approach in which techniques, elements, formal analysis, and historical images can be explored. Observes that learning is an active process and teacher student interactions concerning the portfolio…

Responding to criticism that teaching thinking places a misguided emphasis on process at the expense of curricular content, this article contends that teachers should focus on how to relate both content and process for meaningful learning, because the value of any knowledge or skill depends on its context. (TE)

This series is intended for music educators and features speeches and articles by leaders in music and arts education on a wide variety of current issues. The issue develops notions based on two core events: the teaching of music and the learning of music. Two major concepts are addressed: the identification of a realm of competence acceptable in…