Today's students need regular opportunities to practice using the 4 C's. You might be wondering, what are the 4 C's and why bother? The 4 C's are communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity, key skills to build proficiency and provide meaningful learning experiences in the classroom. It also prompts students to use their imagination and let's them have FUN while they are thinking and learning! Incorporating the 4 C's skills sets are one way to help prepare students for the future that awaits them.
Wondering how to get started? Here are some great picture books that can spark discussions, identify problems and begin implementing structures for the 4 C's to become a regular practice in the learning environment.
One of my new favorite discoveries is found at novelengineering.com. This site has ready-made resources that correspond with books. Students are encouraged to look at problems in the story through the lens of an engineer or scientist while practicing and strengthening literacy skills. This is a fantastic way to start using the 4 C's framework in your classroom! This resource supports critical thinking, communication and collaboration.
Ready to connect to outside professionals to help students think about processes, help them find solutions or simply ask more questions, but having a hard time finding someone? Bringing in a scientist has never been easier! Sign up to Skype A Scientist! This activity supports communication in the 4 C's framework. Depending on the depth of the discussion, could also lend to critical thinking.
You might be wondering how to bring in creativity. When students participate regularly in activities that have already been mentioned, ideas begin to generate. When students have opportunities to make, design or create a prototype to solve a problem, innovation comes into play. This is one additional opportunity for students to use vocabulary words, explain their thinking, justify their design based on specific criteria and experience their learning! This type of activity fully supports the 4 C's framework.
If you are still hesitant about incorporating the 4 C's, I have one more just-released resource that will provide detailed lessons on topics in your curriculum. Have you ever heard of Picture Perfect Science? These lessons follow the 5 E model, and reading comprehension strategies to prompt engagement and thinking. You will also find a materials list, suggested amount of days for the lesson and ways to extend. Over the summer, Picture Perfect STEM Lessons were released to help teachers incorporate STEM and the design process in their classrooms. This resource is a must-see!
These resources have made folding the 4 C's in your classroom easier than ever! I hope you will find one or more of them that will help you along the way! The 4 C's is a classroom practice and framework that will help students connect their learning to real-life experiences while learning necessary skill sets that lead to success.
