Critical Thinking and Productive Struggle Across the Curriculum

This workshop focuses on incorporating critical thinking and productive struggle into classroom practice from kindergarten through 12th grade. Participants will explore the concept of productive struggle, characterized by engaging students in challenging tasks that stretch their abilities without overwhelming them. Attendees will gain insights into fostering a growth mindset, selecting appropriate tasks, offering effective scaffolds, and creating a supportive classroom culture. Strategies demonstrated will help educators develop resilience and deeper problem-solving skills in their students.

• Students' reluctance or inability to persist through challenging tasks
• Limited engagement and resilience in students facing academic challenges
• Inadequate strategies among educators to support productive struggle in classroom tasks

1. Implementing Growth Mindset Strategies: Educators will learn practical methods to encourage students to view intelligence and ability as skills developed through persistence, effort, and learning from mistakes.
2. Choosing and Modifying Tasks for Productive Struggle: Participants will understand how to select, assess, and adjust tasks that appropriately challenge students, fostering engagement and deeper learning without causing frustration or defeat.
3. Providing Effective Scaffolding and Reflection Opportunities: Teachers will acquire techniques for providing strategic scaffolds that gradually lead students to independence, along with methods to encourage reflective practices and self-assessment for continued academic growth.