The Teacher Toolkit
A professional resource hub for educators dedicated to nurturing the "Magnificent Seven" positive learning dispositions framework, developed by Guy Claxton, Becky Carlzon, and Bevan Holloway.
Why Nurture Dispositions?
Being a good learner has nothing to do with IQ. It means engaging intelligently with things that are complicated, confusing, and challenging in order to grow ever more competent. Nurturing a core set of dispositions, such as curiosity and perseverance, allows all learners to stretch their intelligence beyond what they thought possible.
Dispositions have a skilful component—you can get better at imagining or collaborating—but they also harbour the inclination to spot or seek opportunities to behave that way. Smart learners are proactive as well as reactive.
The Magnificent Seven Dispositions
Click on a disposition below to explore its characteristics and strategies for nurturing it in your classroom.
🔍 Curiosity: The Engine of Learning
Curious Learners...
- Have a questioning and positive attitude to learning.
- Like exploring new things and meeting new people.
- Relish being amazed.
- Enjoy researching and use the skills needed to do so effectively.
To Stretch Curiosity, Try...
- Asking questions like "What does that make you wonder?" or "What's missing here?".
- Using strategies like provocations, inquiry learning, and journaling.
- Fostering a culture that values playfulness and taking risks.
💪 Persistence: Staying Engaged
Persistent Learners...
- Are willing to "have a go" and take risks.
- Don't panic when they don't immediately have an answer.
- Put in the time to practise hard skills.
- Know when to take a break and return refreshed.
To Stretch Persistence, Try...
- Asking questions like "What resources could help you?" or "Is there a smaller step here?".
- Using strategies like puzzles, riddles, and learning stories.
- Fostering a culture that values seeing things through and psychological safety.
💭 Imagination: Where We Play with Ideas
Imaginative Learners...
- Enjoy day-dreaming and getting lost in a 'could be' world.
- Are inventive, experimental, and ingenious risk-takers.
- See associations that others may not and empathise with many perspectives.
- Make good use of metaphors, analogies, and humour.
To Stretch Imagination, Try...
- Asking questions like "How else could you do that?" or "What would happen if...?".
- Using strategies like music, play, 'What if?' challenges, and role-play.
- Fostering a culture that values unusual ideas and playful engagement.
🎯 Attention: Focusing on What Matters
Attentive Learners...
- Can prioritise and are observant.
- Follow their interests and passions.
- Know how to focus and have strategies to help them do so.
- Don't let their attention get hijacked by superficial things.
To Stretch Attention, Try...
- Asking questions like "What would help you concentrate more?".
- Using strategies like listening closely to music, drawing, and mindfulness.
- Fostering a culture that values deep work, concentration, and self-awareness.
🧠 Thinking: How We Sharpen Ideas
Thinking Learners...
- Like to 'hook things up' and make connections.
- Think things through carefully, cogently, and rationally.
- Are patient and committed to understanding things more deeply.
- Test and sharpen their own and others' ideas.
To Stretch Thinking, Try...
- Asking questions like "How have you come to that conclusion?" or "Might there be more to it?".
- Using strategies like brain teasers, games of strategy, and Socratic circles.
- Fostering a culture that values well-reasoned discussion and enquiry-mindedness.
🤝 Collaboration: Connecting Effectively to Others
Collaborative Learners...
- Are able to take on varying roles within a group.
- Build on others' contributions.
- Ask for, listen to, and make good use of feedback and advice.
- Can articulate and defend their own thoughts in discussion.
To Stretch Collaboration, Try...
- Asking questions like "How could you help the group work better?".
- Using strategies like leaderless discussions, role-play, and peer-review.
- Fostering a culture that values relationships, participation, and learning from others.
⭐ Craftsmanship: Driving Toward Mastery
Caring Learners...
- Have a nose for quality and are keen to work on improving.
- Make good use of resources, tools, and materials.
- Make honest and accurate judgements for themselves about 'how it's going'.
- Know the importance of reviewing and revising.
To Stretch Craftsmanship, Try...
- Asking questions like "What would 'even better' look like?".
- Using strategies like 'work-in-progress' displays and low-stakes revision cycles.
- Fostering a culture that values pride, rigour, precision, and responding to feedback.
Putting Theory into Practice
The Magnificent Seven framework is baked into the Navigator and Reflection tools, allowing you to observe, document, and strengthen these powers with your students.
🎯 Learning Navigator
Helps students find their next learning move by providing targeted, disposition-based strategies for any subject.
Try the Free Version✨ Learning Reflections
A guided tool for students to create powerful learning stories, identify the dispositions they used, and document their growth.
Take the Interactive Tour