by TeachThought Staff

In an increasingly knowledge-based economy, where the daily tasks required in a large number of jobs require not repetitive button-pushing but independent and complex thinking, we are often exhorted to ‘be creative’ or ‘use some creativity.’

Which would be fine, if creativity were a little dance one could do on command like a well-trained circus seal. But, for better or worse, the act of creation contains a certain morsel of irreducible mystery. It’s intuitive and holistic, rather than analytical and linear (which is the gear we’re usually in when we’re struggling to get work done). It prospers under certain conditions and perishes under others.

Here are 11 factors that can reduce student creativity in your classroom.

10 Ways To Reduce Creativity In Your Classroom

1. Judgment

The No. 1 cause of death for good ideas is to be smothered in the cradle by repression. There are enough

What’s A KWHLAQ Chart? Like A KWL Chart But Better

by TeachThought Staff

What’s A KWL Chart?

A KWL Chart is a graphic organizer that helps students plan and reflect upon their learning.

K: What do I already know? (Before learning)

W: What do I want or need to know? (Before learning)

L: How might I learn what I want or need to learn? (Before learning)

L: What did I learn? (After learning)

What’s The Difference Between A KWL Chart And A KWHL Chart?

A KWHL chart is a variation of a KWL chart that adds ‘How’ to the learning process. In this way, students have to brainstorm, speculate, or otherwise identify or plan how they’re going to learn what they identified in the preceding ‘What?’ step.

See also Graphic Organizers That Promote Critical Thinking

What’s A KWHLAQ Chart? Like A KWL Chart But Better

1. What do I (already) know

90 Retailers That Offer Teacher Discounts

by TeachThought Staff

It’s no secret that back-to-school shopping can get expensive for teachers.

If they’re not shelling out money for art supplies and paper, they’re off buying fresh clothes and shoes. Luckily, the retailers below want to help. From Apple to J. Crew, these companies offer teacher discounts on just about everything a teacher could possibly need for the new semester!

As with any promo, do confirm that the deal is still in place before you order. But don’t be shy, either! If you don’t see your favorite big retailer, movie chain, museum, or more listed here, give them a call and ask if they participate in any teacher discounts.

Companies That Offer Teacher Discounts [Updated For 2023]

Adidas

A 30% discount online and in-store and 20% at factory outlets.

Adobe
Whether you need Photoshop or Creative Cloud, Adobe offers education discounts you

by TeachThought Staff

What’s a professional learning network?

According to Marc-André Lalande, “a Personal Learning Network is a way of describing the group of people that you connect with to learn their ideas, their questions, their reflections, and their references.”

Of course, your PLN is not limited to online interactions, but their always-on availability makes them powerful. Further, the diversity of voices available in a truly global professional learning network makes it possible–and at times necessary–to consider divergent perspectives and thus, over time, become empathetic, connected, and prone to personal and professional growth.

As for this graphic? You can thank Sylvia Duckworth, who always does a great job sharing simple sketch notes to help teachers. (She also took our 12 Rules of Great Teaching and created a predictably wonderful graphic to supplement the text, among others.) We’ve taken the graphic and provided starting points for each ‘reason’ a

by Terry Heick

Simple premise, as titled: what sorts of ‘things’ make teaching unsustainable, and what sort of advice can help teachers reflect on these ideas to mitigate any damage and make the profession more enjoyable, and thus sustainable.

10. Grow a healthy and useful professional learning network.

Human connections sustain humans. See 10 Reasons Every Teacher Needs A Professional Learning Network.

9. The school year is a marathon, not a sprint.

And this should have significant implications for instructional design–spiraling, for example. Some ideas students can ‘get’ right away, while others will take all year. Continuously spiral those sufficiently complex ideas so students have a chance to master them.

8. You don’t need a million tools and strategies to teach well.

You don’t need a million tools and strategies to teach well, so use a handful that are flexible and powerful.

The 40/40/40 rule is a wonderful on-the-fly