US/Global 
CAN
Renaissance Thinking in the Classroom
Interdisciplinary Learning, Real-World Problems, Intellectually Curious Students
Discover nine key thinking habits to cultivate in your K–12 students. This book helps educators explore habits, from fostering curiosity and taking risks to embracing lifelong learning. Author Nathan D. Lang-Raad dives into the challenge-based learning framework and how to integrate these habits with academic standards and 21st century skills.
Nine habits of thinking to enhance student learning through interdisciplinary education
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
Related Topics
21st Century SkillsDifferentiated InstructionInstruction
Additional Information
“Renaissance Thinking in the Classroom masterfully weaves history and research with practical, concrete strategies and techniques for integrating interdisciplinary, creative, and relevant learning across all subjects in K–12 classrooms. By emphasizing creative exploration, critical thinking, risk taking, empathy, and even humor, Lang-Raad offers an inspiring vision of education that is both human centered and intellectually stimulating. This book is a tremendous resource for educators committed to fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and interconnected approach to learning.”
“Lang-Raad has synthesized sixty-plus years of best practice in his practical and comprehensive review of cognitive instruction. His rationale comes in the form of a metaphor—Leonardo da Vinci, the ultimate renaissance thinker. Best of all, he weaves stories of his own and others’ experience applying comprehensive research in detailed, easy-to-use, and transformational interdisciplinary strategies for K–12 teachers, coaches, and principals. His clear examples show how to apply his approach in daily lessons as well as to map a schoolwide shift to cognitive instruction that ends with students learning to think the renaissance way.”
“The complex challenges facing the world today demand multifaceted solutions, which in turn require us to equip future problem solvers with interdisciplinary and domain-blended capabilities. In his call for a renaissance in education, Lang-Raad emphasizes the importance of skills like creativity and collaboration. He passionately advocates for a pedagogical approach that is cross-curricular, dynamic, engaging, and student centered—an approach that aligns with our shared commitment to project-based learning. As Lang-Raad compellingly argues, this transformation in education is necessary, and it will be driven by his admirable combination of theory, research, and extensive classroom experience.”
