Cultivating Cultures of Thinking in Schools

This edited volume is a fresh response to the growing challenges of superficial learning and student disengagement in classrooms around the world.

Drawing on the influential Cultures of Thinking approach developed by Dr Ron Ritchhart from Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, this accessible guide celebrates teacher agency, moving past compliance-driven models of education and championing learning environments rich in curiosity, connection and thinking. Editors Cameron Paterson and Simon Brooks bring together contributions from educators doing the work – teachers and leaders from early years to high school, from local public schools to international settings – who share how they are bringing Cultures of Thinking to life in diverse contexts. Through honest reflections, case studies and practical strategies, the chapters highlight how theory connects with lived experience. From reimagining classroom spaces and embracing multilingual learners to using AI with care and purpose and leading with empathy, each chapter offers real-world examples of how thinking can be made visible and learning more meaningful.

This essential read is an invitation to join a global movement for educational transformation, one that places thinking at the heart of teaching and learning. These stories from diverse global contexts offer invaluable insights and tools for educators and school leaders seeking to create classrooms where thinking thrives.