Teaching Around the 4MAT® Cycle

Bernice McCarthy is the creator of the 4MAT® method of instruction and the founder of About Learning, a training, publishing, and consulting firm that specializes in instructional design and development. Dr. McCarthy’s 4MAT approach identifies the diversity of learners and connects them, no matter their level, to any type of material, emphasizing real-world applications as an essential component of in-depth understanding. This concept-based approach to curriculum and instructional planning promotes high-quality teaching and learning. Most educators consider Bernice McCarthy′s work to be a key contribution to the development of the learning styles movement and the differentiated classroom. She has presented numerous workshops and keynote sessions on effective learning at hundreds of renowned organizations worldwide, including the U.S. Pentagon, Chicago Public Schools system, Cornell University, the Education Department of the Government of Venezuela, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

"As a parent and a teacher, I would truly love to see all  teachers teach with the depth and intention that fully understanding the 4MAT Cycle instills...this book is different because it is not a "theory" book. It is more of a "how to" book...A holistic, step-by-step framework for addressing the diversity of learners is presented rather than a few helpful strategies to try."

• Foreword by Gordon CaweltiPrologueAbout the AuthorsAcknowledgmentsChapter 1: Learning StylesA Cycle of LearningHow Perceiving Defines Us as LearnersHow Processing Defines Us as LearnersThe Processing Dimension and John DeweyPerceiving and Processing StyleType One Learners: Why?Type Two Learners: What?Type Three Learners: How Does This Work?Type Four Learners: What If?Putting It All TogetherChapter 2: A Cycle of LearningFirst We ExperienceThen We ReflectThen We ConceptualizeThen We ActFinally We IntegrateThe Cycle Begins and Ends with the IndividualAny Successfully Completed Cycle Will Flow to Reflection on ItselfThe Cycle Is a Consummate Design for CurriculumThe Cycle Encompasses Important Assessment BenchmarksThe Cycle is a Showplace for Different Styles at Different PlacesThink About YourselfOther Ways to Look at the QuadrantsChapter 3: Teaching Around the CycleQuadrant One: Answering the “Why?” QuestionQuadrant Two: Answering the “What?” QuestionQuadrant Three: Answering the “How?” QuestionQuadrant Four: Answering the “If?” QuestionPlot Your Quadrant Teaching ScoreChapter 4: The Brain-Mind Learning SystemLeft- and Right-Mode ProcessingThe Brain ResearchLeft and Right: The Two Hemisphere ContinuumKnowingLanguageEmotionMemoryStudent Learning Strategy PreferencesTeaching Strategies That Favor the Right ModeA Bushel Basket of Right Mode ActivitiesGraphic OrganizersChapter 5: Overlaying Right- and Left-Mode to Complete the 4MAT CycleConnectAttendImagineInformPracticeExtendRefinePerformAll Real Learning Leaves Us ChangedChapter 6: Teaching From ConceptsWorking With ConceptsDifferent Teachers, Different ConceptsConcepts and Standards4MAT in ActionChapter 7: The 4MAT Design Overlay (Lesson Planning)The Information DeliveryThe Skills PracticeThe Intended OutcomesThe ConnectionSharing the ConnectionThe Learning UsedCritiquing the WorkThe Image That ConnectsAdding the AssessmentsYour 4MAT Plan: A Final LookEpilogueBibliographyIndex