Cognitive, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills Needed: Some Research

What have your been reading this week? Here is some interesting research.  This article was published on July 10, 2012 by Sarah Sparks in Education Week and concludes that 21st Century learning demands a mix of abilities.

The modern workplace and lifestyle demand that students balance cognitive, personal and interpersonal abilities... Americans get about 7 to 11 percent return in higher career earnings based on their years of schooling, and cognitive skills don't explain all the effects of schooling...."

While this is not necessarily a "news flash," there is really something we can take from this research and use to make our classrooms places of relevant learning.  Our students need opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills we want them to learn in real life-like settings.  They need to work together and they need to work independently with opportunities to reflect on their learning and thinking.  Translated into classroom practice: think literature circles.  Here are some links to expand on your thinking:
http://www.litcircles.org/
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/literature-circles-getting-started-19.html
http://www.literaturecircles.com/article1.htm
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/reading/literature_circles/
http://www.mrcoley.com/litcircles.htm