Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

If you've ever watched a classroom completely transform after a well-timed joke or a shared moment of laughter, you already know that humor isn't just entertainment--it's a learning tool. The Habit of the Mind - Finding Humor goes beyond cracking jokes; it's about cultivating the ability to notice what's delightfully absurd, not taking ourselves too seriously, and using laughter to build connections and resilience. When students can laugh at their own mistakes or find the quirky side of a challenging concept, they're actually developing emotional flexibility and creative thinking. In the classroom, humor is so much more than just a well-timed joke; it's a powerful tool for reducing tension during a tough exam, finding the delightful "absurdity" in a complex math problem, or using a clever pun to make a vocabulary word stick. In this collection, discover tools to cultivate finding humor from educational comedy videos to joke collections to comic strip creators, comedic picture book lists, improv games for the classroom, fun historical facts or quirky science trivia, playful brain breaks, meme generators, satirical news and current events, AI tools to create puns, and more. Let's encourage our learners to look for the lighthearted side of life, proving that a quick smile can be the best way to clear the path for a big breakthrough!

tag(s): humor (15), thinking skills (72)

It takes a special kind of bravery to step outside the "safe" zone and embrace the unknown, but that is exactly where the most profound learning happens! The Habit of Mind -- Taking Responsible Risks -- is about moving beyond the fear of being wrong and encouraging students to venture into the unknown. Growth happens at the edge of comfort, and our students need safe spaces to encounter uncertainty, make mistakes, and discover that they are more capable than they ever imagined. Crucially, this habit isn't about being reckless or impulsive; it's about learning to "count the cost." Students must develop the discernment to weigh potential outcomes and evaluate the risks before they leap. It's about building the courage to try something new, to raise a hand when only 70% sure, to share a vulnerable, rough draft, or to tackle a problem never seen before -- all while understanding the boundaries of safety and ethics. The resources in this collection--including Growth Mindset videos, low-stakes gaming platforms, anonymous polling tools, and stories of young entrepreneurs--are designed to help students practice this balance. From coding sandboxes and digital portfolios to collaborative mind-mapping and gamified escape rooms, these tools allow students to experiment and reflect on their results. Let's use these resources to create a classroom culture where "having a go" is celebrated just as much as getting it right, and where "counting the cost" becomes a vital part of every bold new adventure!

tag(s): thinking skills (72)

Remember that feeling of pure fascination when you first saw a shooting star or finally understood how a complex puzzle fit together? That's exactly what the Habit of the Mind - Responding with Wonderment and Awe is all about! This often-overlooked habit is one of the most powerful that educators can nurture. In our rush to cover content and meet standards, it's easy to forget that curiosity and joy are actually cognitive tools, not just nice bonuses. When students approach learning with a sense of wonder, they're more engaged, more persistent, and more likely to remember what they've discovered. The resources in this collection are designed to help you cultivate that sense of "wow" in your classroom--whether you're teaching math, literature, history, or science. Some examples included in this collection: high-definition science pictures of the day, live feed cams of animals and places, interactive math or art tools, collaboration whiteboards to use for "I wonder" questions, citizen science projects, "how things work" videos, interactive museum video tours and exhibits, brainteasers, optical illusions, and more. Use these resources to turn your classrooms into places where "I don't know" is just the exciting start of a brand-new adventure!

tag(s): thinking skills (72), visual thinking (7)

Let's explore the Habit of the Mind - Gathering Data Through All Senses. For our students, this habit is the difference between just reading about a concept and actually experiencing it. Too often, education happens primarily through reading and listening, but our brains are wired to take in information through multiple channels simultaneously. When we encourage students to touch, observe, listen closely, and yes, sometimes even taste and smell their way through learning, we're not just making lessons more interesting--we're making them more memorable and meaningful. This habit goes far beyond the classroom. Whether it's noticing the specific texture of a leaf, reading concern in someone's eyes, hearing approaching footsteps before seeing who's coming, or sensing that rain is on the way because the humidity has changed, our senses constantly provide us with valuable data about the world around us. Using our sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell allows us to collect a much richer, more complete version of information than any single sense could provide alone. The resources in this collection will help you create rich, multi-sensory learning experiences that honor the fact that students are whole people, not just eyes and ears. Examples of resources in this collection include virtual field trips, audio collections, videos, lesson plans, digital nature journals, recipe collections, mindfulness awareness exercises, and more. By encouraging kids to stop and truly observe their environment, we're helping them build a deeper, more intuitive brand of intelligence that stays with them long after the lesson ends.

tag(s): senses (21), thinking skills (72)

The Habit of the Mind - Creating, imagining, and innovating is the mindset that keeps learning dynamic and personal, encouraging students to see beyond the "right answer" and explore the many possible paths to understanding. When we foster this habit, we're giving students permission to take risks, to wonder "what if," and to trust their own creative instincts. It's not about being artistic (though it can be); it's about approaching problems with curiosity and confidence, knowing that original thinking is built through practice, not born from talent alone. The resources in this collection are designed to help you create classroom cultures where experimentation is celebrated, failure is seen as data, and every student learns they have something unique to contribute. Some of the resources shared in this collection include videos, mind-mapping tools, open-ended makerspace challenges, remix and mashup platforms, collaborative whiteboards, random idea generators, digital storyboards, and more! Let's help our students discover that innovation isn't reserved for inventors and entrepreneurs -- it's a mindset available to anyone willing to try a different approach. Let's help them turn "thinking outside the box" into their new daily routine!

tag(s): creativity (82), makerspace (39), thinking skills (72)

This collection of resources relates to the Habit of the Mind described as Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision. This habit is fundamental to effective learning and meaningful interaction. It challenges us to move beyond vague impressions and ambiguous language toward specificity and accuracy in our expression. When we cultivate precision in our thinking, we develop sharper analytical skills, reduce misunderstandings, and build stronger arguments. For educators, modeling this habit means demonstrating careful word choice, supporting claims with evidence, and showing students how precise language leads to precise thinking. In this collection, you will find videos, lesson plans, and web resources, including interactive vocabulary, digital graphic organizers, rubrics, reflection journals, virtual simulations, debate platforms, and more. The resources in this collection offer practical strategies and engaging activities to help students recognize the power of clarity, refine their communication skills, and understand that precision isn't about perfection--it's about thoughtful, intentional expression that honors both the message and the audience.

tag(s): communication (117), thinking skills (72)

Delve into our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Striving for Accuracy--the commitment to setting high standards, checking for errors, and being precise in your work by carefully reviewing rules and directions. This detail-oriented habit helps students develop a natural inclination to double-check calculations in math problems, proofread written work for errors, and verify information before presenting it to ensure quality and reliability. In an age of information overload, we've compiled a range of tools to help you maintain high standards and adopt a meticulous approach to work. In this collection, you'll find things like interactive checklists and digital rubrics that help students verify their work against clear criteria, as well as peer-review platforms where students can practice giving and receiving constructive feedback. In addition, discover video demonstrations of effective checking strategies and error-detection techniques, interactive editing exercises and proofreading practice activities, printable checklists and rubrics to guide thorough self-review, and fact-checking resources to teach students to verify sources and information. By deliberately incorporating these resources into your daily routines and creating a classroom culture that values craftsmanship and thoroughness, you'll help students develop the pride and discipline that comes from producing accurate, high-quality work.

tag(s): thinking skills (72)

This collection of resources is designed to help you and your students cultivate the Habit of Mind of Perseverance -- the ability to stick with a task through to completion, stay focused when challenges arise, and find creative ways to reach your goals without giving up. Whether your students are working through a challenging math problem, revising an essay to enhance its quality, or practicing a new skill until they master it, perseverance is the key to transforming effort into achievement. This collection includes engaging videos that showcase real-world examples of persistence, inspiring articles (and blogs), interactive activities and games that build resilience through practice, printable goal-setting templates and progress trackers, classroom-ready lesson plans for teaching students how to handle challenging problems, and reflection tools to help students recognize and celebrate their growth. You'll also find visual reminders, such as posters and digital resources, to reinforce this habit throughout your classroom. By deliberately incorporating these resources into your daily routines and helping students notice opportunities to persevere, you'll be equipping them with one of the most powerful tools for lifelong success.

tag(s): thinking skills (72)

Step aboard a literary voyage through history with this Reading Trek inspired by Jean Lee Latham's novel, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, designed as a virtual field trip that uses an integrated Google My Maps experience along with an accompanying Teachers' Guide featuring lesson activities, map extensions, and discussion prompts. The story traces the life of Nathaniel Bowditch, a determined, self-educated mathematician and navigator whose passion for learning helps him overcome hardship and make lasting contributions to navigation and science. Set in late 18th- and early 19th-century New England and aboard merchant ships traveling the globe, the novel weaves together history, geography, and mathematics while highlighting themes of perseverance, curiosity, and intellectual growth. Best suited for grades 7-9, this Reading Trek aligns with the Common Core ELA Standards, mathematical practices, and social studies skills, using close reading, map exploration, and interdisciplinary activities to build content knowledge while strengthening critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world connections across subject areas.

tag(s): map skills (64)