Literature & Research Library:
Foundations of Thinking Across the Curriculum
Constructivism ~ Jean Piaget & Lev Vygotsky
Learning is active and constructed through experience. Piaget emphasized that students build knowledge through hands-on interaction with their environment, while Vygotsky highlighted the critical role of social interaction and dialogue in shaping understanding. Together, their work supports the idea that thinking must be intentionally developed within disciplines through both individual exploration and collaborative learning.
Social Learning Theory ~ Albert Bandura
Learning occurs through collaboration, dialogue, and guided support. Disciplinary thinking develops when students engage in discussion and shared inquiry.
Self-Determination Theory ~ Ryan & Deci
Autonomy, competence, and relatedness drive motivation. Inquiry cycles foster belonging and identity, strengthening deep learning.
Emotion & the Brain ~ Immordino-Yang
Emotion and cognition are intertwined. When students feel safe and engaged, neural pathways for learning strengthen.
Writing to Learn ~ Graham & Hebert
Writing improves reading comprehension and deepens conceptual understanding. Literacy becomes a tool for thinking across subjects.
Integrated STEM ~ Roehrig et al.
Interdisciplinary learning strengthens problem-solving and cognitive flexibility.
Pedagogical Tools & Approaches
🔎 Question Formulation Technique (QFT)
Students generate, refine, and prioritize questions.
Promotes inquiry, ownership, and disciplinary reasoning.
🔁 Inquiry Cycles (Ask → Explore → Reflect → Share)
Builds metacognition and cognitive flexibility across subjects.
🧠 Visible Thinking Routines
Makes thinking observable and discussable.
🚀 Project-Based Learning
Students engage in real-world, interdisciplinary problems.
🎨 Design Thinking (IDEO)
Empathy → Define → Ideate → Prototype → Test
Encourages iteration and creative reasoning.
🧩 Metacognitive Reflection
Prompts like:
“How did you figure that out?”
“What strategy helped you?”
Helps students shift reasoning across disciplines.
