"To meet the pressing challenges of their rapidly evolving world, students must get a 21st century renaissance education-one that equips them with key interdisciplinary skills for understanding various disciplines and solving complex problems. Former STEM educator Nathan D. Lang-Raad has witnessed the power of an interdisciplinary approach to K-12 education that breaks down barriers between traditional subject areas. And in Renaissance Thinking in the Classroom: Interdisciplinary Learning, Real-World Problems, Intellectually Curious Students, 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. This comprehensive guide consolidates supportive research and provides teachers with strategies for designing lessons that foster the nine necessary habits. Equipped with the traits of the great Renaissance polymaths, who exemplified interdisciplinary learning, students will be able to solve the problems they encounter in life and contribute to a more equitable future"--
Former STEM educator Nathan D. Lang-Raad has witnessed the power of interdisciplinary teaching in K12 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-Raads approach consolidates supportive research and gives clear guidance through original strategies to help teachers design lessons that foster necessary behaviors.
This book will help K12 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 frameworks successful application
Contents:Introduction
Part IChapter 1: Foster the Nine Habits of Thinking in K12 Learning
Chapter 2: Habit 1Cultivate Diverse Curiosity
Chapter 3: Habit 2Take Risks
Chapter 4: Habit 3Use Humor
Chapter 5: Habit 4Develop Creativity and an Innovative Outlook
Chapter 6: Habit 5Build Self-Regulation
Chapter 7: Habit 6Transfer Learning
Chapter 8: Habit 7Ask Questions to Engage in Genuine Inquiry
Chapter 9: Habit 8Evaluate Evidence
Chapter 10: Habit 9Embrace Lifelong Learning and Perseverance
Part IIChapter 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