To be considered a competent educator, there are almost 2000 strategies, concepts, and terms that you must know. However, since teachers wear so many hats, who has the time to learn them all? Don’t worry; we have you covered. In this series, we will discuss all the teaching and learning strategies, concepts, and terms that you need to know to be considered an effective educator. There are over 70 articles in this series, so pace yourself. We recommend reading one piece per weekday, which will allow you to complete the series in three to four months. We hope you enjoy it.

Click here to read all the articles in this series.

Coaching Model An intervention approach that allows early interventionists to share their expertise with those individuals who are important to the child. This can include family members, teachers, and other professionals who are involved.

Co-Curricular Activities A K-12 school or university activity that is pursued in addition to a student’s academic core. This could include sports, the arts, etc.

Code of Ethics Refers to an individual’s chosen ethical behavior guidelines, providing direction in the daily activities of his or her chosen profession. This code of ethics assists an individual to make self-satisfactory decisions quickly.

Code Switching A child produces constant questions to maintain a conversation and can temporarily imagine the perspective of the other person using language.

Code-Meshing The process of mixing vernacular and world dialects with standard English to communicate with a broader audience and reflect the diversity in society.

Code-Switching The act of switching between dialects or language varieties in different settings and based on whom one is conversing with.

Cognition The mental capacity and behaviors that allow people to understand society and the world around them. It can include many different processes, but it is essential to the ability to record memories symbolically in the brain using objects and events.

Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) The ability to effectively engage in and employ the formal style of language used in the school setting.

Cognitive Apprenticeship A process involving mental action in which a learner develops expertise through interaction with an expert, adult or a more experienced peer.

Cognitive Behavior Modification The process of changing one’s conduct and habits through methods based on behavioral and cognitive principles, including self-talk and self-instruction.

Cognitive Competencies Skills associated with the acquisition of knowledge and the processing of information through thought, such as reasoning, intuition, perception, imagination, inventiveness, creativity, problem-solving, and oral and written expression.

Cognitive Conflict New ideas or information that conflict with beliefs an individual currently holds and forces them to re-examine those beliefs.

Cognitive Development Is the creation of increasingly complex thought processes, including self-regulation, remembering, perceptual skills, language learning, problem-solving, and decision-making, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.

Cognitive Development How a child learns to think, make decisions, and solve problems.

Cognitive Developmental Constructivism The concept that an individual’s knowledge is gained through maturation and new experiences that conflict with the individual’s existing knowledge and force them to re-examine what they think they know.

Cognitive Learning Theories Rationales, principles, and tenets of learning that emphasizes mental processes and thinking.

Cognitive Research Trust Materials for the direct teaching of thinking skills created by Edward de Bono.

Cognitive Tools Refers to programs and applications, such as word processors, spreadsheets, and email. When used effectively in a classroom setting, they improve the learning process, enhancing thinking and understanding, and often removing some of the manual effort required in performing tasks.

Collaborating/Mentoring Teacher Is the experienced teacher with whom you will be observing and working for the duration of your field experience placement.

Collaborative Listening-Viewing Guide A framework for study which is useful when information is acquired from a video, TV program, or web-based video clip.

Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) A reading method that uses four comprehension techniques (previewing, “click” and “clunk,” get the gist, and wrap-up) to help students employ effective tactics as they read.

Collaborative Writing A writing activity and a form of the act of writing in which students experience writing within a social context. It often involves one or more partners, and a university tutor who provide instruction or act as role models throughout the process.

Collective Monologue A monologue that takes place in a group setting where a child speaks without connection to what another has said. A collective monologue is performed for the same reasons as a simple monologue despite the change in location and social setting.

Collectivist Culture A culture in which the group is seen as the primary unit of focus and individuality is deemphasized. Interdependence is valued over independence. Uniqueness is valued only to the degree that it benefits the group.

College An institution of higher education that usually provides just an undergraduate education, but in some instances, offers graduate programs.

College and Career Readiness Standards (CCR) Standards that define the cross-disciplinary literacy expectations that students must meet in order to be properly prepared for a successful experience at college and workforce training programs.