Intellectual Character: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Get It 1st Edition

March 13, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Satisfied with my purchase.

One person found this helpful

Interesting, intriguing and full of information

Paula Tavolaro

August 25, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Wonderful, full of insight on the classrooms and even for parenting. A must-read, especially for teachers.

One person found this helpful

Mens354

May 6, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great book. Worth every cent. Everyone should read this and help themselves achieve potential.

One person found this helpful

Connie R. Seymour

September 23, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I really had to work hard at his book.

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R. Todd Nance

I recommend this book...

December 27, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I found many useful ideas to immediately use in the classroom.

One person found this helpful

Joseph Bliven

March 29, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

a teacher must-have

One person found this helpful

Yes to intellectual character, no to absence of outcome...

Stephen Armstrong

March 23, 2004

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

First, let me agree with the other reviewers that this book is well written, better than most. For that, a 5. His first chapter on the definition of "intellectual disposition" and "character" is not tedious (thankfully) and is quite well written. For that, a 5. In addition, his emphasis on the practical classroom-based implementation of strategies is very engaging. For that also, a 5.
However, Ritchhart's emphasis on process and content of thinking ignores one thing--the outcome. How is one to know when intellectual character has been achieved? And, assuming one has intellectual character, does it lead to better scores (gasp!)? Sorry, friends, outcome does matter. For this, a 1.
So, overall, a 3. Great in some places, absent in others. This leaves the book firmly grounded in liberal/process/metacognitive theories of education. These theories are interesting to read but (1) difficult to implement (and, by the way, require intellectually oriented teachers), and (2) are absent demonstrated outcome.

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The Foundations of a Thinking Classroom

Tamara

March 29, 2015

Format: Paperback

More than any other, this book succeeded in defining the model of teaching to which I aspire. After defining Intellectual Character, Ritchhart challenges me to reflect on my practice, deeply and comprehensively, to examine how I interact with students, how I plan, how I structure my day, how I approach critical topics/content...and how those myriad choices enculturate intellectual character--or not. As the dozens of tape flags littering the pages testify, this book is my compass that I read and re-read repeatedly to help me regain my bearings when I sense I am off course in my practice. If you are looking for a "how-to" book on visible thinking, get Ritchhart's Making Thinking Visible. If, however, you are aching for serious reflection about the underlying "why" of visible thinking, Intellectual Character: What It Is, Why It Matter, and How to Get It is your book.

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