Includes bibliographical references (p. 283-292) and index.

Part 1: The case for intellectual character -- Failing at smart: or what's an education for? -- Rethinking smart: the idea of intellectual character -- Acting smart: how thinking dispositions close the ability-action gap -- Part 2: Fostering intellectual character in our schools -- First days, first steps: initiating a culture of thinking -- Thinking routines: creating the spaces and structures for thinking -- Language and thinking: prompting, priming, and patterning -- Thought-full environments: sustaining a culture of thinking -- Part 3: Moving toward the ideal of intellectual character -- Beyond technique: where teaching for intellectual character begins -- Three lessons: what to keep in mind about teaching for intellectual character -- Some practical advice: how to get started teaching for intellectual character.