Pivot Point Fundamentals
nailS // Educator Resources
© 2022 Pivot Point International, Inc.
December 2022, 1st Edition
Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails is published with the same core theory concepts required for
nails licensure that are contained in Salon Fundamentals™ Nails, A Resource for Your
Nails Career. Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails meets and exceeds the compliance requirements
for nails licensure.
This publication is protected under U.S. and worldwide copyright laws and may not be copied,
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, broadcast or quoted in whole or in part in
any form, or by any means: electronically or mechanically, printed, photocopied, recorded,
scanned or otherwise, nor may derivative works be created from it without written permission
from Pivot Point International, Inc. More detailed information on copyright can be found at:
pivot-point.com/copyright.html
Pivot Point is a registered trademark and Pivot Point Fundamentals is a trademark of Pivot Point
International, Inc. in the United States and other countries, and may not be used or reproduced in
any manner without expressed written consent.
Pivot Point International, Inc.
Global Headquarters
8725 West Higgins Road, Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60631 USA
847-866-0500
pivot-point.com
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Introduction............................................................................................ 4
Overview................................................................................................. 5
Coursebook, eBook, WebBook................................................................... 5
Study Guide. . ............................................................................................ 8
Exam Prep................................................................................................ 8
Video.. ...................................................................................................... 9
Slide Presentation. . .................................................................................... 9
Educator Resources.. ................................................................................10
Knowledge Builder....................................................................................11
Exam Ace ®. . .............................................................................................11
Industry Resources...................................................................................12
Additional Lesson References....................................................................14
Annotated Bibliography.. ............................................................................15
CURRICULUM SUPPORT
How to Use the At-a-Glance Curriculum Chart.............................................18
At-a-Glance Curriculum Chart.............................................................. (Online)
LESSON PLAN SUPPORT
Lesson Plan Overview...............................................................................19
Editable Lesson Plans – 101N.1-107N.11. . ........................................... (Online)
RUBRICS ............................................................................. (ONLINE)
TEACHER’S STUDY GUIDE ........................... (ONLINE)
2 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Introduction
Overview
Coursebook, eBook, WebBook
Study Guide
Exam Prep
Video
Slide Presentation
Educator Resources
Knowledge Builder
Exam Ace ®
Industry Resources
Additional Lesson References
Annotated Bibliography
CURRICULUM SUPPORT
How to Use the At-a-Glance Curriculum Chart
At-a-Glance Curriculum Chart (Online)
LESSON PLAN SUPPORT
Lesson Plan Overview
Editable Lesson Plans – 101N.1-107N.11 (Online)
RUBRICS
TEACHER’S STUDY GUIDE
(Online)
3 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
(Online)
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Educator Resources for Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails. This program is designed to help
educators personalize and sustain a quality teaching and learning experience that maximizes the potential for
successful learning results. The Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails program provides a dynamic combination of
proven classroom strategies to deepen student understanding, build professional skills and produce results
that will endure long after graduation. The Program Overview explains the educational foundations and
subject matter content of the Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails program.
Two important educational foundations that make this program unique in its ability to prepare students for their
licensure exam and their professional entry into careers in the nail salon/spa industry are:
• Learner-centered format
• Nail salon/spa-relevant
Developing self-directed learners involves setting up learning experiences that lead students to understand
the relationship between success, hard work and personal initiative. Educators give up the natural tendency
to stay in charge and become a “Guide on the Side,” a coach and a mentor, offering feedback and
constructive suggestions.
Designed to engage the learner in meaningful learning and help educators familiarize themselves with the
program, Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails can be easily integrated into the school’s curricula. New
instructors as well as seasoned educators and curriculum directors can use the Educator Resources to
help the lessons of Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails come alive for students.
The purpose of the Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails Educator Resources is to support your
educational efforts when using the program to help change the way students and educators approach
learning. In addition, Pivot Point invites you to visit the website at pivot-point.com to receive updates and
ongoing information on training and support. Please use the @Now feature online to contact customer
support with any educational questions, comments or concerns you have regarding the Pivot Point
Fundamentals: Nails program or feel free to call 847.866.0500, or email info@pivot-point.com
Please accept our best wishes for a training environment full of motivated learners and successful results!
4 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
OVERVIEW
Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails is a complete, integrated learning system, compatible with
computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Its many benefits include electronic access to all of the
Pivot Point Fundamentals program, including study guides, Learning Connections, Talking Points, Show
You Knows, Show You Cans, Lesson Challenges, videos, slide presentations, lesson plans, as well as
Exam Ace® and Knowledge Builder, online testing components and several other learning resources.
THE PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS PROGRAM
CONSISTS OF THESE PRIMARY COMPONENTS:
1
COURSEBOOK (PRINT), EBOOK
AND WEBBOOK (ONLINE)
2
STUDY GUIDE (PRINT),
INTERACTIVE PDFs (ONLINE)
3
4
5
SLIDE PRESENTATIONS (ONLINE)
6
EDUCATOR RESOURCES (ONLINE)
EXAM PREP (PRINT)
7
KNOWLEDGE BUILDER (ONLINE)
VIDEO (ONLINE)
8
EXAM ACE (ONLINE)
COURSEBOOK, eBOOK, WEBBOOK
Designed to be the theory reference book used by students to prepare and successfully complete the
written and practical licensure exam, and gain entry-level nail salon/spa employment. The Pivot Point
Fundamentals: Nails coursebook is written in an easy-to-read, learner-centered format, providing a
lifetime reference for all fundamental areas of nails. Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails
coursebooks are available in print, as well as downloadable eBook and webBook online formats.
The eBook and webBook are mobile-responsive, which means pages adjust to a variety of mobile device
screens. WebBooks can be accessed directly through the internet, when downloading is not possible.
This makes learning possible anytime, anywhere.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Stunning photography, with images that range from postage stamp to full-page, inspire readers and clarify
what is being learned.
• Advance organizers, subject headings, exploratory questions, inspirational statements and achievement
goals organize and support learning.
• Key learning points are emphasized in charts, sidebars and boldface text.
• Content is reviewed and transferred with Discover More segments that encourage curiosity, interest and
additional learning.
• Industry Connections focus on the future nail salon/spa world.
• Lessons Learned summarize the key points of the lesson.
• Glossaries and indexes are located at the back of each coursebook.
5 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
7 AREAS OF STUDY
THAT FEATURE 72 LESSONS
(44 THEORY LESSONS AND 28 WORKSHOPS )
FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
101N Life Skills features six lessons
on the skills that will create a personal
foundation for career success.
101N
LIFE
SKILLS
102N
SCIENCE
F U N D A M E N T A L S: N A I L S
FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
103N Business offers seven lessons
that cover goal setting, job search,
owning and operating a nail salon/spa,
and effective retailing in the nail
salon/spa.
102N Science presents 14 lessons
focused on subjects related to the
transmission of infection, infection
control, safety and first aid, the
building blocks of the human body,
the skeletal, muscular, circulatory and
nervous systems, skin theory, skin
diseases disorders and conditions,
nail theory, nail diseases disorders
and conditions, chemistry in nails and
electricity in nails.
103N BUSINESS
103N
BUSINESS
F U N D A M E N T A L S: N A I L S
107N NAIL ART
107N
NAIL ART
107N Nail Art consists of 11
lessons. Four theory lessons include
nail art theory, products, tools, supplies
and equipment, skills and guest
experience. This area of study features
six skills workshops and one
full-service workshop.
FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
6 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
F U N D A M E N T A L S: N A I L S
FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
106N
NAIL
ENHANCEMENTS
106N Nail Enhancements
consists of 16 lessons. Five theory
lessons include nail enhancement theory,
products, tools, supplies and equipment,
skills, maintenance repair and removal
procedures and guest experience.
This area of study features eight
skills workshops and three
full-service workshops.
105N
NATURAL
NAILS
105N Natural Nails consists of 14
lessons. Four theory lessons include
natural nail theory, products, tools,
supplies and equipment, skills and guest
experience. This area of study features
seven skills workshops and three
full-service workshops.
FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
104N
CLIENTCENTERED
EXPERIENCE
104N Client-Centered Experience
consists of four lessons focused on the four
Service Essentials (Connect, Consult,
Create and Complete—the 4 Cs) that make
up an exceptional service experience.
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
Each theory lesson presents a discussion of key concepts, new insights on familiar topics and relevant examples within a
nail salon/spa environment. The themes build on one another from lesson to lesson.
Each workshop or practical procedure has its own self-assessment form called a Performance Guide. Learners are asked
to view the video, then perform the procedure during a workshop as they complete the self-check. Pro Speed timing
guidelines are listed, which when combined with the Performance Guide criteria, allow the learner to see where they are
as they progress
Rubrics have been developed in a yes/no format for major subject areas and are listed in the Rubrics section of
Educator Resources.
7 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
Augmented Reality Moments are found in the coursebook, eBook and webBook wherever the mobile device symbol is
displayed. Scanning this icon offers learners an optional experience to learn more beyond the book. Augmented
Reality Moments are found in the Life Skills, Science, Natural Nails, Nail Enhancement and Nail Art areas of study.
STUDY GUIDE
The Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails Study Guide is a companion workbook designed to engage the learner,
improve retention and deepen students’ understanding of the fundamental principles of nails. The study guide
encourages students to write or draw their thoughts and transform what they are learning into products and
thoughts that make sense to them. A note-taking system called SmartNotes provides a method for students to
manage, personalize and prioritize the information they are learning. Lesson Challenges offer the opportunity to
display knowledge and comprehension of the lesson just studied. Companions to the study guide include
online interactive PDFs of the SmartNotes and Learning Connections, which help make sense of the content,
and Talking Point, Show You Know and Show You Can exercises that build meaning. In addition, the Check
What You Know and Review in the slide presentation help reinforce what has been learned and also serve as
companions to the study guide. The online learning environment allows students to access this valuable
learning tool anytime, anywhere.
The study guide aims to help students build a diverse set of learning tools by using seven Mindframes to present
and practice the material. An Overview of the Mindframes is presented following the study guide Contents pages.
The Mindframes bring a wholeness and balance to individual lessons as well as entire sections of the learning
endeavor. Retention and transfer to the real world both increase as more of the mind is engaged.
EXAM PREP
The Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails Exam Prep book is a small but powerful print tool designed to prepare
students for the licensure exam. Comprised of 9 practice tests subdivided by subject, with over 300
questions, this valuable guide helps students identify what they know and what they do not yet know.
The 9 practice tests closely mimic professional licensure exams. Features such as similar industry
terminology and test-question styles are designed to help students succeed. The exam prep also contains
a final exam of 100 questions that covers the entire coursebook. Answer keys for all tests are located at
the back of the book.
In addition, a section titled “Did You Know?” provides summary statements organized by practice test that
incorporate the correct answer to every question, providing a great source for reviewing key points.
8 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
VIDEO
HIGHLIGHTS
The videos visually support the key concepts and step-by-step technicals with illustrations, photography and
narration. Stunning signature photos, combined with a corresponding title and numbering system make
navigating videos easy and efficient.
The videos available online allow educators and students to easily log in to preview or review any content during
class or outside of class. See the lesson plans for direction on using the videos in the classroom. These videos
generally accompany the Delivery Phase of the lesson during the Exchanging Ideas element of teaching.
SLIDE PRESENTATIONS
The slide presentations consist of Microsoft® PowerPoint slide decks with notes designed to reinforce main
lesson concepts. Slide presentations are viewable by students when they select “Study Slides” from within
the online lesson.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Provide theoretical review of all theory lessons (44 lessons)
• Incorporate interesting and related information in a reduced, outlined format
Based on the 10 Elements of Mindful Teaching®, this tool provides support for the instructor in presenting the
theoretical concepts of the undergraduate nails course. Elements such as Explore, Inspire, Achieve, Focus,
Check What You Know, and Review take the learner on a journey around the Mindful Teaching wheel. The
most important facts are organized and presented in outline form, thus keeping the teacher and the learners
on track and increasing the amount of information that can be uncovered. Notes are included for slides to
support educators as they set the stage for learning and engage learner thinking. This will help ensure
consistent delivery of nails theory.
A stimulating visual learning environment keeps learners’ attention level high throughout the lesson. Large-scale
graphics help engage learner thinking, especially in lessons that deal with subjects such as chemistry and
anatomy. Check What You Know exercises can be presented in the classroom to summarize and affirm
understanding. Each slide presentation ends with a Review that highlights the key points.
9 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
EDUCATOR RESOURCES
The Educator Resources are designed to assist you in preparing and presenting dynamic material to the
learner. Educator Resources can serve as a mentor to offer suggestions and comments regarding bestpractice delivery and ideas to help you enhance learning. The ideas presented in this material come from
educators with vast backgrounds and experience in presenting this type of information. Educator Resources
are in the classroom with you, suggesting, reminding and mentoring your delivery to the learner.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Features a Program Overview, Curriculum Support, Lesson Plans, Rubrics, Additional Exercises and
Teacher’s Study Guide
• Offers editable lesson plans and summative rubrics online
• Allows flexibility and personalization
The Program Overview section of the Educator Resources highlights the various parts of the Pivot Point
Fundamentals: Nails program and provides a brief explanation of each important area. Other selections in
this area include Curriculum Support, Lesson Plan support, Rubrics and Teacher’s Study Guide.
Curriculum Support features tools for organizing and routing of curriculum to support Pivot Point
Fundamentals: Nails. It is within this section that you will find suggested timing for presenting the lessons,
and general information related to a syllabus for the program.
Lesson Plan support contains all 72 editable lesson plans developed to support each lesson.
Suggestions for Enriching Learning exercises are designed to increase learner engagement, deepen
meaning and solidify understanding and are found within each lesson plan; they support the major
topic areas.
The Lesson Plans are also found online in both PDF and in Microsoft ® Word format that will allow editing.
Having all 72 lesson plans available for editing provides an efficient format for educators to arrange modular
scheduling, make revisions and add notes. These formats also allow Pivot Point greater opportunity to send
you new information and updates.
Rubrics include all summative rubrics in a yes/no format that asks if the student completed the tasks listed.
These summative rubrics can be used to grade students. An editable version is found online while an
interactive PDF version is located within each related lesson. This PDF version can also be used as a
self-assessment by students.
The Teacher’s Study Guide provides information on how to use the Study Guide, sample SmartNotes,
examples for student responses to exercises and answers to the Lesson Challenge.
10 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
The Knowledge Builder is a comprehensive assessment tool that enables educators to easily create
custom online tests and quizzes. Assessments created in the Knowledge Builder can be integrated into the
school-created online Learning Paths.
Question banks provided within the application support all 44 theory lessons. Tests can be based on the
questions from any single lesson or any combination of lessons. Educators can also create, use and save
their own banks of questions. Available question styles include Multiple Choice, True/False and Graphic.
View the online tutorials for step-by-step instructions on how to build tests and quizzes, administer them to
students and obtain assessment results reports.
Exam Ace ® is designed to give the student a real-world online practice experience of many professional
licensure exams. Each student is able to track his or her progress online. All practice tests and practice final
exams will be scored instantly. The student can focus on the challenging material or retake a challenging
test. Educators can also access students’ test scores and monitor their activity at anytime. There are three,
100-question tests covering science, natural nails, nail enhancements and nail art.
11 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
INDUSTRY RESOURCES
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/ASSOCIATIONS
Accrediting Commission of Career
Schools and Colleges of Technology
(ACCSCT)
accsct.org
American Association of
Cosmetology Schools
(AACS)
beautyschools.org
Associated Nail Professionals
(ANP)
Nailprofessional.com
Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development
(ASCD)
ascd.org
Independent Beauty Association
independentbeauty.org
Intercoiffure
intercoiffure.net
International SalonSpa
Business Network
(ISBN)
salonspanetwork.org
ISpa (International Spa Association)
experienceispa.com
MediNail Learning Center
Medinail.com
Beauty Certified Education Association
beautycertifiededucation.org
National Accrediting Commission of
Cosmetology Arts & Sciences
(NACCAS)
naccas.org
Beauty Changes Lives
beautychangeslives.org
National Cosmetology Association
(NCA)
Career College Association
(CCA)
career.org
National-Interstate Council of State
Boards of Cosmetology
(NIC)
nictesting.org
The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and
Fragrance Association
(CTFA)
ctfa.org.nz
12 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Oncology Spa Solutions
Politics Beauty and Barber
politicsbeautybarber.org
Professional Beauty Association
(PBA)
probeauty.org
Salon & Spa Professional Association
sspatoday.com
Sassi
Salon & Spa Specialty Insurance
Sassiagency.com
SkillsUSA
skillsusa.org
Society of Permanent
Cosmetic Professionals
(SPCP)
spcp.org
Spa Industry Association
dayspaassociation.com
americasbeautyshow.com
behindthechair.com
National Psoriasis Foundation
psoriasis.org
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
INDUSTRY MAGAZINES
American Salon
Official publication of the National
Cosmetology Association (NCA)
Subscriptions: 886-344-1315 or
americansalonmag.com
American Spa
americanspa.com
Beauty Launchpad
beautylaunchpad.com
Subscribe: www.beautylaunchpad.com/subscribe
or call (800) 624-4196
Modern Salon
Subscriptions: 847-415-8050 or
modernsalon.com
Nail Pro Magazine
nailpro.com
Nails Magazine
Nailsmag.com
WellSpa 360
(formerly DaySpa Mag.)
wellspa360.com
13 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
Additional Lesson References
Professional Development
Communicate With Confidence,
Dianna Booher,
McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Nail Art & Nail Style
Amazing Designs by the World’s
Leading Nail Techs,
Helena Biggs (EIC of Scratch Magazine)
Salon Ecology
Safety in the Salon,
Elaine Almond, Pivot Point
International, book: MP-SITS
3 Keys to Business Success
Faith, Fun & Finance,
Maisie Dunbar
Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy Coloring Book,
Addison-Wesley
Gray’s Anatomy,
Lea Febiger
Electricity
The Electricity Story,
Arco Publishing
Nail It!
100 Step-by-Step DIY Designs for
Fashion-Forward Nails,
Sophie Harris-Greenslade
(celebrity nail tech)
Face-to Face With Doug Schoon
Volumes 1-3 (Spanish Available),
Science and facts about nails and nail
products for the educationally inclined
Doug Schoon.
Salon Business
Salon Business Strategies,
Neil Ducoff
Stop Getting By and
Start Getting Rich,
Michael Cole, Salon Development
The Triumph of Individual Style, A
Guide to Dressing Your Body,
Your Beauty, Your Self,
Carla Mason Mathis and Helen Villa
Connor, Timeless Editions
Educational books and
videos distributed by
Pivot Point International, Inc.
can be ordered by calling
800-886-4247.
14 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails
Study Guide is a continuum of learning
prompts designed to enliven learner
engagement, improve retention and
deepen student understanding of the
fundamental principles of nails.
Modeled after recent research on “best
practice” in teaching and learning, each
lesson of the guide proceeds through
seven stages of learning engagement.
These stages, called Mindframes
because they systematically engage
and organize student thinking, include
the following: previewing, naming,
connecting, self-checking, applying,
self-testing and journaling.
This annotated bibliography is presented
here to help users of the Pivot Point
Fundamentals: Nails Study Guide build
a more complete understanding of
these Mindframes complete with the
theories and instructional strategies
that influenced their development. It
should be noted that this bibliography
is not intended to represent a
comprehensive review of the literature.
These references were selected
because (1) they focus on practical
application of best practice in teaching,
(2) they are written in a reader-friendly
style, and (3) they further support the
organization and design of the study
guide into the seven Mindframes.
Brain-Based Teaching Applications
Jensen, Eric. Completing the Puzzle:
The Brain Compatible Approach to
Learning. Del Mar, CA: Brain Store Inc.
1997. ISBN # 0-9637832-5-4
Completing the Puzzle: The Brain
Compatible Approach to Learning is
a simple, easy-to-use book that
provides teachers with a very succinct
overview of how current research in
neuroscience suggests our brains learn
best. In this book Jensen provides
15 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
numerous practical suggestions for
using this research in classrooms. The
charts on pages 45, 138 and 148 are
particularly informative. Additionally, for
anyone searching for a review of this
literature, the bibliography in this book
is quite comprehensive.
The Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails
Study Guide is modeled after many of
the instructional strategies suggested by
recent research in neuroscience and
education. Eric Jensen’s ability to
transform scientific research into an
easy-to-read guide for practitioners, as
well as his understanding of teaching and
learning, makes his work a must read for
teachers who are interested in using the
current research to enliven their
classrooms.
Sousa, David. How the Brain Learns.
Virginia: The National Association of
Secondary School Principals, 1995.
ISBN # 0-88210-301-6
David Sousa takes the neurological
research of the last 20 years and shows
how teachers can capitalize on it. His
book, How the Brain Learns, is a
practical and uncomplicated guide to
emerging approaches to teaching
derived from current research on the
human brain and how it learns. Without
making grandiose claims about the next
“one best teaching system,” Sousa
clearly describes what practitioners can
do to better organize content and
support more complex processing
of information.
Learning to Learn Strategies
Ellis, Dave. Becoming a Master
Student. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.,
1997. ISBN # 0-395-83054-0
Becoming a Master Student is a
comprehensive set of tools and
techniques for achieving success in
school. Literally hundreds of proven
strategies are packed into this 346-page
guide. Readers are encouraged to review
pages 127 through 133 for an excellent
description of the Cornell Notes System
designed by Walter Pauk and Tony
Buzan’s mind map strategy. Both of
these strategies are adapted for use in
the study guide.
Many of the learning prompts in the study
guide are modeled to emphasize learning
from general to specific, personalizing,
creating associations, transforming
information actively and rehearsing
learning in multiple ways. These
suggestions, all of which improve memory
and long-range retention, are reviewed by
Ellis on pages 86 through 90.
For students experiencing difficulty
learning or for any student interested in
improving success in school, Becoming
a Master Student is required reading.
Novak, Joseph and D. Bob Gowin.
Learning How to Learn. New York:
Cambridge University, 1994.
ISBN # 0-521-31926-9
Learning How to Learn addresses the
fundamental issue of how teachers can
help students reflect upon their
experiences and construct new
pathways to knowledge production and
imbue their learning with more powerful
meanings. Based upon David Ausubel’s
dictum that the single most important
factor influencing learning is what the
learner already knows, Novak and Gowin
provide convincing evidence that
advance organizers, concept maps and
graphic organizers are valuable strategies
for helping students construct more
comprehensive conceptual frameworks.
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
Although this book is research-based
and often quite academic, many of the
suggestions offered here are represented
(in very basic forms) in the study guide.
Robinson, Adam. What Smart Students
Know. New York: Crown Trade
Paperbacks, 1993.
ISBN # 0- 517-88085-7
Pauk, Walter. How to Study in College.
New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1997.
ISBN # 0-395-83062-1
What Smart Students Know is an
extraordinary work of good sense!
Written for high school and college
students, this book is a masterful
step-by-step guide through the labyrinth
of academic learning. The basic premise
of this guide is that smart students are
those who have learned how to learn
more, in less time, earn higher grades
and have more fun in the process.
According to Robinson, “smart students
aren’t any ‘smarter’ than other students;
they simply have different skills, habits,
priorities and they see themselves and
school differently.”
How to Study in College is the “tour de
force” of books dedicated to helping
students succeed academically.
This book is brimming with very practical
techniques that students can use to
improve retention and understanding.
Written in conversational tone, reading
How to Study in College is like having a
sincere person-to-person chat with
someone who knows about learning and
succeeding in school.
Each lesson begins with a graphic
advance organizer, coupled with a
narrative summary of the lesson.
Information to be learned is organized in
key ideas with suggestions for practice.
Each chapter concludes with a summary
of important questions juxtaposed with
the correct response, a quiz to check for
understanding and a vocabulary builder.
The SmartNotes design used in the
study guide is modeled after the Cornell
Notes format invented by Professor Pauk.
Additionally, information in the chapters
on Concentrating and Focusing,
Forgetting and Remembering,
Understanding and Using Key Concepts,
Taking Good Notes, Learning from Your
Textbooks and Thinking Visually clearly
influenced the design of the study guide.
Reading this book is a must for anyone in
preparation for a professional career.
16 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Perhaps the most relevant message of
this book for nail students is that poor
school performance is more often the
result of misconceptions about school
and the learning process than ability and
natural intelligence. Adam Robinson
presents a convincing argument that
students who change their attitude
toward learning and school can change
how they learn, improve their
performance and have fun doing it.
This book is empowering. It is a practical,
easy-to-read guide that can help
students improve their learning ability.
Particularly relevant are the 12 questions
on pages 36 and 37 that form the basis
for Robinson’s CyberLearning theory.
Many of these questions are woven into
the design of the study guide.
White, Richard and Richard Gunstone.
Probing Understanding. London:
Falmer Press, 1992. ISBN # 0-75070-0
Probing Understanding challenges
current thinking about how humans
come to “understand” new knowledge
and how we best demonstrate this
understanding. Drawing heavily upon
the research of Ausubel and Gagne,
these authors argue that in addition to
verbal propositions, humans think in
images, episodes and actions.
Proponents of concept mapping and
relational diagrams as ways of
demonstrating high levels of
understanding, White and Gunstone
provide convincing evidence for the
value of visual representations of
knowing. They also provide numerous
examples of how concept maps and
relational diagrams work for teachers, as
well as procedures for teaching students
to construct these maps and diagrams
(pages 29 and 139). Particularly
noteworthy are purpose statements
about using these concept maps in
teaching, including the following:
• Explore understanding of a limited
aspect of a topic
• Check for student understanding of
a lesson
• Check for student understanding of
the relationship between key terms
• Probe student appreciation
• Identify changes in student
understanding as they learn more
• Promote discussion
Also included are discussions of several
other cognitive strategies that teachers
might employ to expand the tools
students can use to probe and
understand what they are learning.
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
This book is slightly more formal in its
presentation style than others listed here.
However, for the serious teacher, it will be
quite informative and useful.
Caine, Renate and Geoffrey Caine.
Education on the Edge of Possibility.
Virginia: ASCD, 1997.
ISBN # 0-87120-282-4
Learning Tools
The references listed here provide
interested teachers with additional
strategies for creating representations of
knowledge that foster higher levels of
thinking and retention. Particularly
noteworthy is Tony Buzan’s theory of
radiant thinking. The Pivot Point
Fundamentals: Nails Study Guide
models many of these ideas.
Crowell, Sam and Renate N. Caine,
Geoffrey Caine. The Re-Enchantment
of Learning. Tucson, AZ: Zephyr Press,
1998. ISBN # 1-56976-076-4
Bromley, Karen, Linda Irwin-DeVitis and
Marcia Modlo. Graphic Organizers:
Visual Strategies for Active Learning.
New York: Scholastic Professional Books,
1995. ISBN # 0-590-48928-3
Buzan, Tony and Barry Buzan. The Mind
Map Book. London: BBC Books, 1993.
ISBN # 0-563-3673-8
Hyerle, David. Visual Tools for
Constructing Knowledge. Virginia:
ASCD, 1996. ISBN # 0-87120-266-2
Organizing Teaching and
Learning Environments
The references listed here provide
support for the importance of designing
learning experiences that optimize the
relatedness factor in learning. For
educators and salon or spa directors who
are interested in creating expressive,
purposeful and engaged learning
environments, these references will
provide a sound theoretical basis for
program organization and teacher staff
development projects.
17 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Langer, Ellen. The Power of Mindful
Learning. Reading, MA: Perseus Books,
1997. ISBN # 0-201-33991-9
Zemelman, Steven, Harvey Daniels and
Arthur Hyde. Best Practice: New
Standards for Teaching and Learning
in America’s Schools. Portsmouth:
Heinemann, 1998.
ISBN # 0-435-08788-6
“What the Biology of the Brain Tells Us
About Learning” by Robert Sylwester
“What Brain Research Says About Paying
Attention” by Robert Sylwester and
Joo-Yun Cho
“Teaching with the Brain in Mind” by
Eric Jensen
“The Brains Behind the Brain” by Marcia
D’Arcangelo
“Teacher Learning That Supports Student
Learning” by Linda Darling-Hammond
“Teaching and Teacher Development: A
New Synthesis for a New Century” by
Ann Liebermann and Lynne Miller
“Powerful Learning” by Ron Brandt
Recent Periodicals
The articles listed here are written in a
teacher-friendly style and provide for
readers a summary of what the experts
are saying about the ideas modeled in
the Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails
Study Guide. Interested readers should
contact the Association for Supervision
and Curriculum Development, ascd.org.
“On Teaching Brains to Think: A
Conversation with Robert Sylwester” by
Ron Brandt
“Brain-Based Learning: A Reality Check”
by Eric Jensen
“Learning Your Way Around Thinking” by
David Perkins
“Putting Understanding Up Front” by
David Perkins
“The Brain Learns Better in WellDesigned School Environments” by Tak
Cheung Chan and Garth F. Petrie
“The Nature and Nurture of the SelfDirected Learner” by Andrew Biemiller
and Donald Meichenbaum
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
CURRICULUM SUPPORT
Curriculum Support provides an overview of the learning goals and suggested time frames for lessons and
achievement objectives to facilitate curriculum planning.
HOW TO USE THE AT-A-GLANCE CURRICULUM CHART
The At-a-Glance Curriculum Chart is designed to be a quick reference to assist you in becoming familiar
with the lesson titles, objectives, and time-frame references when starting to plan your curriculum routing or
flow with the Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails program.
REVIEW THE CHART TO IDENTIFY:
1
7 AREAS OF STUDY
2
72 LESSON TITLES
3
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES FROM THE ACHIEVE SECTION OF THE COURSEBOOK
4
AVAILABLE TIME FOR TEACHING THE LESSON AS LISTED IN EACH LESSON PLAN
5
TOTAL AVAILABLE TIME FOR PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS PROGRAM
In some cases, you’ll notice that an available time frame of two hours is listed, while another major section
may list three or four hours. The largest differences in timing occur in the lesson plans that contain practical
procedures. Practical procedures can be found in lessons related to the subjects of table preparation,
natural nails, nail enhancement, and nail art workshops. The suggestion of a total of 250 hours is derived
from comparing various existing schedules and requirements. You of course, have the ability to determine
the number of hours you will offer particular aspects of the Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails program,
based on the requirements of your regulating agency, published school curriculum hours and/or personal
educational needs and preferences.
AT-A-GLANCE CURRICULUM CHART (ONLINE)
Use this chart for quick reference when planning your curriculum flow or as a checklist to determine
differences in timing.
18 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
LESSON PLAN SUPPORT
Lesson Plan Support provides editable lesson plans for each lesson and offers recommended instructional
techniques and activities.
LESSON PLAN OVERVIEW
Pivot Point Fundamentals: Nails Educator Resources contains 72 lesson plans, one for each lesson.
These lesson plans offer a variety of learning strategies that enable facilitators to effectively deliver the
educational content contained in the corresponding coursebook, study guide, video and online environment.
Each lesson plan begins with an Overview that provides material needed to get you ready for the lesson.
Following the Overview, the lesson categorizes four phases of teaching that incorporate methodologies
presented in Pivot Point’s Mindful Teaching® Pro.
19 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
READINESS PHASE
The first section of the lesson plan focuses on learner readiness.
The Readiness Phase sets the stage for learning prior to the lecture. In good classrooms, learning
begins with readiness. Readiness begins with interest, and interest arouses curiosity. As a facilitator,
you face the task of igniting the passion within the learner—the passion to be interested, curious
and ready to learn. The Readiness Phase offers examples of emotional connections students will
have with the content and begins to pose answers to “What’s in this for me?”
The goals of this section include:
• Helping learners survey or preview material to be learned
• Minimizing misconceptions in learner opinions
• Guiding learners to know what is expected prior to the lecture
• Focusing learner attention on content organization prior to the lecture
The elements of the Readiness Phase include the following headings:
• EXPLORE challenges students to consider what they already know and what they might learn
during the lesson.
• INSPIRE presents the rationale or purpose for the lesson.
• ACHIEVE lists the learning outcomes or expectations for the lesson.
• FOCUS frames the content by announcing the major topics within the lesson.
20 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
DELIVERY PHASE
The second section of the lesson plan focuses on engaging learner thinking during the Delivery
(lecture) Phase.
The main message here is that when learners are given opportunities to think about the content in
purposeful ways, they become more efficient, self-directed learners. During the Delivery Phase, the
educator helps to explain, relate, demonstrate and recap the information being covered.
The goals of this section include:
• Encouraging risk-taking behaviors by demonstrating to learners that they do not have all
the answers.
• Providing feedback in response to learner comments.
The Delivery Phase consists of exchanging ideas to define, explain, relate and recap; probing with
questions to clarify and discuss the lecture; and affirming understanding by summarizing following
the lecture.
These three elements of the Delivery Phase are described here:
• EXCHANGING IDEAS defines, explains, relates, and recaps the lesson. Additional content is
provided for many of the topic areas in this section. SmartNotes within the study guide highlight
differences in the content and a slide presentation and/or video for technical skills support the
exchange of ideas (interactive lecture).
• PROBING WITH QUESTIONS offers clarification and discussion about the lecture to stimulate
thinking and offer feedback. Learning Connections help make sense of the information being learned
and Mindframe 3 Connecting exercises point out similarities within the content.
• AFFIRMING UNDERSTANDING asks students to complete service-related forms, which promote
thinking before doing and then summarize by completing the Check What You Know found in the slide
presentation and study guide.
21 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
PERFORMANCE PHASE
The third section of the lesson plan focuses on supporting student ability through application
and assessment.
During the Performance Phase, learners incorporate relevant practice and informative feedback into their
learning routines.
The goals of this section include:
• Directing high-involvement learner practice
• Reinforcing the universal principle of human learning—humans learn by correcting
their mistakes
• Making feedback, self-testing and reflection integral parts of guided practice lessons
The elements of the Performance Phase include the following:
• APPLYING GUIDED PRACTICE shifts the role of the educator to be a “Guide on the Side” and
students become active by applying and testing what they are learning. The educator provides the
feedback and support and the student does the work. In some cases an interactive discussion
is suggested; in most cases an application-type exercise is recommended. Online Talking Points
promote discussion, Show You Know exercises help deepen meaning or Show You Can exercises
support sharing of completed work during the Performance Phase.
• ASSESSING LEARNER KNOWLEDGE asks students to complete the self-assessment
Performance Guides along the way, the Lesson Challenge at the completion of the lesson and the
summative yes/no rubric at determined grading points.
22 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
TRANSFER PHASE
The fourth section of the lesson plan focuses on adapting learning for future use.
During the Transfer Phase, learners will see the benefit of what they have learned as it applies to value
in their life.
The goals of this section include:
• Supporting learning groups
• Validating what has been learned
• Fostering creative interpretations
• Celebrating success together
The primary element of the Transfer Phase is:
• VALIDATING LEARNER ACHIEVEMENT assigns Lessons Learned to celebrate what has been
learned, Grow What You Know to reflect on key points and Join the Conversation to share comments
centered on future use of what has been learned. The Transfer Phase focuses on deepening
relevance and meaning for the learner. Learners are integrating, using their learning in real life and
validating what has been learned.
23 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS
EDITABLE LESSON PLANS (ONLINE)
The lesson plans are provided here in an easily editable Word® format that allows you to personalize lesson plans.
The lesson plans are also found online within each lesson in both Word® and PDF format.
RUBRICS (ONLINE)
Rubrics are a companion to each workshop and are provided here in an editable format to allow you to customize
these assessment tools.
TEACHER’S STUDY GUIDE (ONLINE)
The Teacher’s Study Guide is available in a single, downloadable file, in addition to online within each lesson.
Provides answers and examples for cross-reference that correspond to the students’ study guide.
24 | EDUCATOR RESOURCES
©2022 PIVOT POINT FUNDAMENTALS: NAILS