Stirring the Head, Heart, and Soul: Redefining Curriculum, Instruction, and Concept-Based Learning

"This book is a potent reminder of what it means when teachers teach whole human beings―their minds, hearts, and souls. Erickson helps us recall what all great teachers know: quality teaching is about building young lives."
―Carol Ann Tomlinson, Professor, University of Virginia
Author, The Parallel Curriculum

"Erickson sets the standard for concept-based curriculum. Her work offers a theoretically rich and eminently practical approach for constructing curriculum around rich, transferable concepts. The third edition extends this seminal work for the benefit of educators and their students."
―Jay McTighe, Educational Consultant, McTighe and Associates
Author, Understanding by Design

Help students analyze and synthesize information for a deeper understanding of big ideas!

This updated edition of the classic bestseller on curriculum design for quality instruction provides practical structures, planning tools, and specific classroom examples of effective teaching strategies. The author focuses on the need for curriculum and instruction that allows students to move beyond factual learning to a level of understanding where knowledge transfers readily to new situations and thinking becomes integrated. The book′s wide-ranging topics include:

• Aligning local curriculum with state and national content standards
• Using brain-based teaching methods
• Developing higher-order thinking skills
• Assessing and reporting student progress
• Creating a lifelong love of learning in students

This invaluable resource encourages teachers to create an educational environment that challenges students′ personal intellect, engages their spirits, and fosters a greater understanding of the world around them.

H. Lynn Erickson, Ed.D., is an independent consultant assisting schools and districts with concept-based curriculum design and instruction. During the past 20 years Lynn has worked extensively with K-12 teachers and administrators on the design of classroom and district level curricula aligned to academic standards and national requirements. She was a consultant to the International Baccalaureate Organization for the development of the Middle Years Programme―the Next Chapter.

Lynn is the author of three best-selling books, Stirring the Head, Heart and Soul: Redefining Curriculum and Instruction, 3rd edition ©2008; Concept-based Curriculum and Instruction: Teaching Beyond the Facts, ©2002; and Transitioning to Concept-based Curriculum and Instruction: How to Bring Content and Process Together, co-authored with Dr. Lois Lanning, © 2014, Corwin Press Publishers. This publication, co-authored with Lois Lanning and Rachel French is the 2^nd edition of Lynn’s popular  book, Concept-based Curriculum and Instruction for the Thinking Classroom: Teaching Beyond the Facts. She also has a chapter in Robert Marzano’s book, On Excellence in Teaching, ©2010, Solution Tree Press.

Lynn is an internationally recognized presenter/consultant in the areas of concept-based curriculum design, and teaching for deep understanding. She has worked as a teacher, principal, curriculum director, adjunct professor, and educational consultant over a long career. In addition to her work in the United States, Lynn has presented and trained educators across the world in different regions and countries including Asia, Australia, South America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Cyprus.

Lynn currently lives in Everett, Washington with her family. She and Ken have two children, and two grandsons, Trevor and Connor, who continually stir her heart and soul.