Nathan D. Lang-Raad

Seven Competencies to Foster Robust Student Learning and Engagement

Former STEM educator Nathan D. Lang-Raad has witnessed the power of interdisciplinary teaching in K-12 schools. In this book, he details nine specific habits of thinking and a challenge-based framework that educators should systematically integrate to promote students' academic knowledge and lifelong learning. Lang-Raad's approach consolidates supportive research and gives clear guidance through original strategies to help teachers design lessons that foster necessary behaviors. This book will help K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, and curriculum designers: Understand why the nine habits of thinking must be embedded and applied across all grade levels Use a detailed challenge-based framework template to design and perform interdisciplinary lessons See how historical polymaths' practices can apply to and enhance 21st century learning Complete chapter activities to ensure the habits are appropriately incorporated for all developmental stages and grade bands Study research-supported examples of the habits' and the framework's successful application Contents: Introduction Part I Chapter 1: Foster the Nine Habits of Thinking in K-12 Learning Chapter 2: Habit 1--Cultivate Diverse Curiosity Chapter 3: Habit 2--Take Risks Chapter 4: Habit 3--Use Humor Chapter 5: Habit 4--Develop Creativity and an Innovative Outlook Chapter 6: Habit 5--Build Self-Regulation Chapter 7: Habit 6--Transfer Learning Chapter 8: Habit 7--Ask Questions to Engage in Genuine Inquiry Chapter 9: Habit 8--Evaluate Evidence Chapter 10: Habit 9--Embrace Lifelong Learning and Perseverance Part II Chapter 11: Integrate the Challenge-Based Framework and the Habits of Thinking Chapter 12: Integrate Academic Standards Chapter 13: Integrate 21st Century Skills Chapter 14: Engage Teacher Collaboration Chapter 15: Engage Student Collaboration Epilogue: Renaissance Reimagined References and Resources Index

The modern K-12 teacher's must-have guide to teach students how to ask questions, weigh the evidence, and think critically and independently Students and teachers alike face a dilemma: Why think deeply when we can just take a shortcut by googling something? Why read an article when we can learn from a social media headline? If, as educators, we want to encourage our students to value thoughtfulness and to embrace the effort it takes to reach deep understandings, we must model that behavior ourselves. In Never Stop Asking, author Dr. Nathan Lang-Raad shows K-12 teachers how human brains like to take mental shortcuts, known as heuristics, that allow the brain to save energy and perform more efficiently. These heuristics, however, can lead to illogical thinking, cognitive biases, and fallacies that can hinder critical thinking. Never Stop Asking: Teaching Students to be Better Critical Thinkers is the armor we need to defend ourselves and our students against the all-too-tempting shortcuts that the digital age has to offer, employing strategies to consistently and explicitly support teaching critical thinking and weaving it into the everyday landscape of your classroom. Let’s ensure that the students of today will be the skilled thinkers of tomorrow. Learn about common psychological shortcuts and biases that hinder students and teachers alikeDiscover the logic and the science behind critical thinking and why it leads to better outcomesGain strategies to bring critical thinking into the classroom and help students build patience, discipline, and skillAcknowledge and embrace the digital age in your teaching—without falling victim to its downsidesThis is an engaging and important book for K-12 teachers and instructional coaches. Teacher training programs can also be enhanced by the practical wisdom and easy-to-implement strategies inside.

Activate Learning with WeVideo Instead of assigning boring worksheets and tedious tasks or practice problems, teachers today can design active and fun learning experiences that build on students' strengths and interests by using exciting edtech tools--like WeVideo. In this easy-to-follow guide, educator and WeVideo expert Nathan Lang-Raad provides 40 strategies using WeVideo to create engaging content that encourages students to practice real-life problem-solving skills. Using a student-centered learning approach, you can employ this powerful platform to ... Create an environment where students feel safe and empowered. Clearly communicate goals in a fun and engaging way. See learning in action. Provide a structure for students to share their voice with their peers, the community, and the world. Engage students at deeper learning through critical thinking and creativity. Take learning further with WeVideo "For video to really impact learning and outcomes, active use should be the goal. What is even more important is how learners are empowered to use their own devices to capture video as a means to showcase what they have learned. Dr. Nathan Lang-Raad addresses these critical components and more in a practical guide that will pave the way to unleash the true power of video in the classroom." --Eric Sheninger, ICLE senior fellow, award-winning principal, and best-selling author of Digital Leadership "As educators, how do we encourage, support, and promote creativity in the classroom? Students naturally crave ways to express themselves creatively, and this book gives practical ways for teachers to help students do just that." --Jennie Magiera, chief program officer at EdTechTeam and president of The Student Voice Foundation "This book provides helpful strategies to support student growth and learning by giving learners a place to play, discover, wonder, be heard, solve problems, and create. Thank you for writing this, Dr. Nathan Lang-Raad " --Alice Keeler, educator, speaker, and author of 50 Things You Can Do with Google Classroom

Part of The New Art and Science of Teaching series In The New Art and Science of Teaching Mathematics, authors Nathan D. Lang-Raad and Robert J. Marzano reenvision the groundbreaking New Art and Science of Teaching framework for math classrooms. Readers will discover myriad math strategies, tools, and methods of teaching mathematics for every step of the process, from articulating learning targets and conducting math lessons to engaging students, tracking progress, and celebrating successes. Use this teaching resource to implement research-based best practices in teaching math: Explore how The New Art and Science of Teaching framework can help you optimize your methods and establish best practices in teaching mathematics. Become familiar with the 10 design areas and 43 elements of effective teaching strategies that make up the framework. Develop an understanding of which of the 43 elements of instruction are most effective in the mathematics classroom and in which types of lessons they should be used when teaching mathematics. Use each chapter's Guiding Questions for Curriculum Design to support planning and aid in reflection as a mathematics teacher. Discover a four-step process designed to help you deepen your expertise of math teaching strategies. A joint publication of ASCD and Solution Tree Contents: Introduction Chapter 1: Providing and Communicating Clear Learning Goals Chapter 2: Using Assessments Chapter 3: Conducting Direct Instruction Lessons Chapter 4: Conducting Practicing and Deepening Lessons Chapter 5: Conducting Knowledge Application Lessons Chapter 6: Using Strategies That Appear in All Types of Lessons Chapter 7: Using Engagement Strategies Chapter 8: Implementing Rules and Procedures Chapter 9: Building Relationships Chapter 10: Communicating High Expectations Chapter 11: Developing Expertise Appendix References and Resources