Cognitive Endurance, Expectations, and STEM Education
Topics for this week include the benefits of cognitive endurance, the power of expectations, and curiosity.
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The Friday Five
Become a SupporterLast week, my 8th-grade students attended high school transition tours. The tours were spread across four days, with a different group visiting each day. Since I had varying combinations of students throughout the week, this created some organizational challenges and a minor headache.
Creating a playlist helped immensely—it outlined the week's expectations and provided extension activities for students who finished early. One of my favorite 7th-grade colleagues (who happens to be my lovely wife) shared a template with me. Here's what it looked like.
When teachers have time to talk to each other and give advice, good things happen. This is the best kind of professional development. Take a moment to share one of your ideas or ask a question in a comment at the end of this page. You never know how you might be able to help a fellow educator.
It’s always exciting to share the “earned wisdom” of other educators. This week the spotlight shines on Kim Collazo.
Kim Collazo emphasizes the potential of all children in STEM education, sharing her experiences as a teacher and author of STEM picture books. She advocates for raising expectations, allowing productive struggle, and supporting girls in STEM through mentorship and clubs. Her journey reflects a commitment to inspiring young learners and breaking stereotypes in education. Read it here.
Jeremy Jorgensen
Reflection Questions:
- How can you incorporate "cognitive endurance" strategies into your daily teaching practice? Consider designing a specific plan to gradually increase task duration for one challenging activity in your classroom.
- Reflect on your expectations for students: Are there any areas where you might unconsciously lower the bar? What specific steps can you take to maintain high expectations while providing appropriate support?
- Looking at the "Dare to Be" poem, which line resonates most with your current teaching journey? How can you translate that inspiration into concrete actions in your classroom this week?
The Friday Five
1 - Cognitive Endurance
Have you noticed that attention spans are dwindling? Educators are taking on the role of “cognitive endurance coaches” to strengthen students' ability to focus and maintain attention in today's distracting environment. This approach benefits both students through improved academic outcomes and teachers through more effective classroom management. Key strategies include gradually increasing task duration, establishing distraction-free environments, and developing sustained reading abilities. Could it be that what’s old is new again? The research is compelling. Learn more here.
2 - Low Expectations
Beware of low student expectations—the costs are high. Making school work easier does not help students do better - in fact, it can hurt their progress. Students from families with less money often tire more quickly when doing hard thinking tasks, but practicing challenging work can help them get better at staying focused. When students do activities that make them think hard, like solving puzzles or working on math problems, they get better grades in all their subjects. Teachers can help students by having them spend 20 minutes a few times each week working on challenging brain activities, which will help them build their mental stamina.
3 - Happy Scientist
Embrace curiosity by designing small monthly, weekly, and daily experiments to foster personal and professional growth. Utilize tools, templates, and teachers to support your journey, making curiosity a regular habit for continuous learning and discovery.
4 - At All Times
Dare to Be
“When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.
Dare to be the best you can –
At all times, Dare to be!" — Steve Maraboli (Life, the Truth, and Being Free)
5 - Teacher Commuter Playlist - Worthy by Mavis Staples
Golden Lines
Look at you Smiling Shining / Beaming like the sunshine / Rising Climbing / Grinding through the hard times / Growing Showing up like you're a star / Cause no matter where you stand today /I hope you know you are / Hope you know you're / Worthy
Choose Your Own Adventure
- ELA Game - The mission of Groovelit is to ensure every teacher can build a joyous writing community where every student discovers their place in the world through writing. We had fun with the vocabulary mode in science this week. It's like a Kahoot but for writing.
- Administrator Tips - The high school administrators gave our 8th graders some tips for school success. They're pretty good tips for the rest of us, too!
- Why Edify Review - I've started tinkering around with podcasting. Here's a reflection from this past week. You can watch it on YouTube or listen on Spotify. What I lack in polish, I try to make up with sincerity and good intentions. It's recorded live.
Why Edify Recommendation Zone
- Teacher Swag - I had some fun making this Cognitive Endurance Coach T-shirt.
- Classroom Organization - Black Pocket Over Door Hanging Folders *(ad)
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