Adapted from Project Zero: Creating Cultures Of Thinking
Cultures of Thinking
pz.harvard.edu/projects/cultures-of-thinking
Adapted & summarized from “Creating Cultures of Thinking” (Ron Ritchhart, Project Zero at Harvard) by Stephen Taylor (@sjtylr)
TIME
Allocating time for thinking by
providing time for exploring topics
more in depth as well as time to
formulate thoughtful responses.
Adapted & summarized from “Creating Cultures of Thinking” (Ron Ritchhart, Project Zero at Harvard) by Stephen Taylor (@sjtylr)
ROUTINES
Scaffolding students’ thinking in the
moment as well as providing tools
and patterns of thinking that can be
used independently.
Adapted from “Creating Cultures of Thinking” by Ron Ritchhart
Cards print back-to-back Icons from Noun Project
MODELING OPPORTUNITIES
Providing purposeful activities that
Modeling of who we are as thinkers
require students to engage in
and learners so that the process of
thinking and the development of
our thinking is discussed, shared,
understanding as part of their
and made visible.
ongoing experience of the classroom
LANGUAGE ENVIRONMENT
Making thinking visible by
Using a language of thinking that
displaying the process of thinking and
provides students with the
development of ideas. Arranging the
vocabulary for describing and
space to facilitate thoughtful
reflecting on thinking.
interactions.
INTERACTIONS EXPECTATIONS
Setting an agenda of understanding
Showing a respect for and valuing of
and conveying clear expectations.
one another’s contributions of ideas
Focusing on the value for thinking and
and thinking in a spirit of ongoing learning as outcomes as opposed to
collaborative inquiry. mere completion of “work.”
 Adapted from Project Zero: Creating Cultures Of Thinking Cards print back-to-back Icons from Noun Project

Creating Cultures
OPPORTUNITIES MODELING of Thinking

Crafting the vehicles for learning

Seeing ourselves through our
through: How to promote
students’ eyes by:
- Categorizing opportunities in moments, engagement, understanding
-Dispositional apprenticeship; being a
tasks, projects and events. and independence
role model of learning and thinking
- Recognizing specific characteristics of for all learners.
-Cognitive apprenticeship; making our
challenging opportunities that promote
thinking visible
learning (novel application, meaningful Cultures of Thinking:
-Gradual release of responsibility;
inquiry, effective communication and pz.harvard.edu/projects/
modeling for independence
perceived worth) cultures-of-thinking
-Interactive modeling; learning from
- Realizing opportunities to make them
examples, practice and reflection Making Thinking Visible:
work for teachers and students
visiblethinkingpz.org
Adapted from Creating Cultures of Thinking Adapted from Creating Cultures of Thinking

Adapted & summarized from “Creating Cultures of Thinking” (Ron Ritchhart, Project Zero at Harvard) by Stephen Taylor (@sjtylr)

ENVIRONMENT LANGUAGE TIME

Using space to support learning and Purposeful choice of “Language Become the master of time, rather
thinking through: Moves” that promote a Culture of than its victim through:
- Ensuring form follows the function
Thinking through using the - Recognizing time as a statement
(promoting thinking)
- Curating a classroom that values Language of… of your values
thinking ● Listening - Learning to prioritize and always
● Thinking
Create environments to enhance prioritizing learning
● Community
learning & build culture through: ● Identity - Giving Thinking Time
- Visibility ● Initiative - Managing energy, not time
- Flexibility - Investing in time to make time
● Mindfulness
- Comfort
- Invitational Quality ● Praise & Feedback

Adapted from Creating Cultures of Thinking Adapted from Creating Cultures of Thinking Adapted from Creating Cultures of Thinking

Adapted & summarized from “Creating Cultures of Thinking” (Ron Ritchhart, Project Zero at Harvard) by Stephen Taylor (@sjtylr)

EXPECTATIONS INTERACTIONS ROUTINES

High expectations for all learners Forging relationships that empower Supporting and scaffolding learning and
thinking. Routines are more than just an
(and learning) through: learners through establishing
activity! They:
- Focusing on learning vs. work working and thinking norms in the - Direct attention to the issue of thinking
- Teaching for understanding vs classroom to: -Provide specific practices that have
knowledge alone
- Build culture through affect and immediate effect
- Encouraging deep vs. surface -Make students’ thinking visible
learning strategies roles
-Encourage action & discussion around
- Encouraging independence vs. - Shape interactions through roles
thinking
dependence - Ask “good” questions -Build infrastructure for thinking and learning
- Developing a growth vs. a fixed - Create new patterns of discourse in the classroom
mindset -Connect the other cultural forces

Adapted from Creating Cultures of Thinking Adapted from Creating Cultures of Thinking Adapted from Creating Cultures of Thinking

dapted & summarized from “Creating Cultures of Thinking” (Ron Ritchhart, Project Zero at Harvard) by Stephen Taylor (@sjtylr)

Adapted from “Creating Cultures of Thinking” by Ron Ritchhart