Making Schools Work

Kathy Hirsh-Pasek is a professor of psychology at Temple University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff is the Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Professor of Education at the University of Delaware. Kimberly Nesbitt is an associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of New Hampshire. Carol Lautenbach is assistant superintendent for teaching and learning design (retired) in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools (Wyoming, MI). Elias Blinkoff is a graduate student in developmental psychology at Temple University. Ginger Fifer is a past teacher and school administrator at Friends’ Central School (Wynnewood, PA).

Contents


Foreword  xiii


Acknowledgments  xvii


1.  Why Now?  1

Looking Ahead  5


2.  The Science of Success  7

At a Glance  7

Introduction  7

The How of Learning  11

What Children Learn: A Breadth-of-Skills Approach Through the 6 Cs  24

Where the How Meets the What of Learning  31


3.  Case Study 1: The 6 Cs Go to an Independent School in Pennsylvania  34

At a Glance  34

Introduction  34

A Theme-Based Approach as One Embodiment of the 6 Cs System  38

Themes, the 6 Cs, and the Principles of Playful Learning  48


4.  Case Study 2: Designing for Equity in a Michigan School District  49

At a Glance  49

Introduction  50

Using Human-Centered Design After Exploring the Underlying Barriers  52

Results: The System Shifts Toward Success for All  67

Next Steps to Intensify Learning  68

Slow Down to Speed Up  69


5.  Case Study 3: Statewide Scale-Up of Playful Learning in New Hampshire Kindergarten Classrooms  71

At a Glance  71

Introduction  71

Motivation for Change  73

Evidence-Based Approach for Change  74

Impacts and Outcomes  80

Guided Play in COVID-19 Classrooms  83

Further Investment in Guided Play and Coaching  83

Conclusion  85

Chapter 5 Supplemental Resources  86


6.  Bringing It Home: Adapting the Model for Your School  97

Step 1: Get Buy-In  101

Step 2: Educate  101

Step 3: Co-Design  102

Step 4: Try It Out  103

Step 5: Broaden Your Scope  103

Step 6: Assess How It Is Going  104

Step 7: Home and School  105

Step 8: Have a School- or Grade-Wide Conclusion  105


7.  Authentic Assessment to Support the Science of Learning  106

At a Glance  106

Introduction  106

Motivation: Why Engage in Assessment?  107

Measurement of the Knowledge and Skills That Matter  108

Developmentally Appropriate Assessment  109

Summative and Formative Assessment  110

There Is More Than One Type of Authentic Assessment  115

Clantete: Using Authentic Assessment to Support the 6 Cs  122

Radnor Middle School: Authentic Assessment to Support Student Learning  123

Conclusion  124


8.  Jumping Over School Walls: The 6 Cs and Learning Principles Are Everywhere  125

At a Glance  125

Introduction  125

Enter Playful Learning Landscapes: Informal Learning at Its Best  126

Media: The Learning Principles and the 6 Cs Work Here, Too  129

Conclusion  134


9.  Re-Imagining Education at Your School  135

Introduction  136

The 6 Cs Prepare Students for Success  136

How Can We Help Children Remember What They Learn So That It Is Sticky?  138

How Do We Teach in a Way That Supports Transfer?  139

How Do We Move From the “Memorize and Spit-It-Out-on-the-Test” Model to One in Which Students Are More Engaged in Their Learning?  139


Appendix A: Visual Chapter Synopses  145


Appendix B: Recommendations for Further Study  159


References  163


Index  179


About the Authors  185