Opening Minds

With the 2020 closing of schools, libraries, playgrounds, etc children have been forced to spend a lot of time at home.This has left parents trying to juggle their own schedules to provide educational opportunities for them so that they will not fall too far “behind”. This book of resource materials for parents of elementary and middle school children is not intended to replace or be a substitute for the standard curriculum of the grades. It offers parents resources that promote and engage children’s thinking across various curriculum areas – critical thinking tools that can serve children at whatever grade level and give them a leg up to deal with whatever they will face. This book is a valuable asset to parents and caregivers that will provide some much needed help and information..

This book is a true gift for parents and children, shining a light on thoughtful pedagogy in an unprecedented and uncertain time. In a world where information is easily accessible and constantly changing Dr. Wassermann creates numerous opportunities for children to develop the strengths and skills for independent thought, creativity, and problem solving. Highlighting the need for flexible thinkers in a complex world, Opening Minds includes an enormous arsenal of practical ideas, easily managed at home and backed by the author’s years of research and experience. Guided by parental facilitation, children of all ages and varying interests will be introduced to wildly diverse activities designed specifically to promote critical thought. Any parent or guardian looking to support a child’s education and intellectual growth will find Opening Minds an invaluable resource! , Opening Minds reflects Dr. Selma Wassermann’s years of experience teaching students of all ages. In these challenging times, families are trying to support their children’s learning. There are limited options available, print or digital workbooks provide ‘fill in the blank’ content. Both occupy students without engaging their minds. Opening Minds provides parents with both the theoretical ‘why’ and the practical ‘how’. Dr. Wassermann’s thinking activities create opportunities for students to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to negotiate their world. Opening Minds’ questions and responses gave me the confidence to teach beyond the workbook. My grandchildren were particularly engaged by the comparison activities. They were focussed, intrigued. Their eyes lit up. And they wanted more., When I read this book I got really excited about the prospect of helping my grandchildren learn while they are in online-school at home. Helping them with math, English, or social studies is one thing. But using the techniques and exercises in this book I will get to see how their minds work and how they think (or don’t). And over time I will get to see their minds develop as they advance their critical thinking skills. To me, it's that's more interesting and rewarding — it’s exciting — than to see them moving to the next math workbook.

Selma Wassermann is professor emerita in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University and holder of the University Award for Teaching Excellence.