Thinking Keys In The Classroom

"We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself." (Lloyd Alexander)

There are 20 different ‘Thinking Keys’ each designed to unlock different parts of the thinking process. Use of the keys helps to develop flexible problem solving and thinking habits

Inventions - Brick wall - Construction - Different Use Forced relationship - Interpretation - Brainstorming Commonality - Alternative - Questioning - Ridiculous Picture - Prediction - Reverse - What if? - Disadvantage Combination - Bar - Alphabet - Variations

www.tonyryan.com.au www.kurwongbss.qld.edu.au/thinking/thinking.htm

• To find a manageable way to use ‘thinking keys’ in our weekly programme. • To create a format that can be applied to different topics/themes/inquiries • To use the thinking keys to enable further exploration by students as they become more flexible with the use of a variety of thinking skills • To use thinking keys for ongoing assessment during a unit

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First we created a range of thinking keys by: Creating a range of different thinking key questions Typing these questions onto a key template Printing the keys off on colour paper Laminating all the keys Cutting the keys out Displaying the keys in the class

• Very ‘nice’ looking thinking keys • •

A large amount of time being used for the making of the keys Large resource needs

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How can we reduce the time needed to make the keys? How can we ensure a more reasonable use of classroom resources? How can we achieve a mix of teaching how to use specific keys (where every student needs a copy) and a free choice approach?

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The internet provided a wide range of different options for the use of thinking keys in the classroom In particular these web sites were great!

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“I liked the alphabet key the best because it really got me thinking about the subject.” Student A

• Early finisher’s choice of keys • Whole class teaching on the use of specific keys • Thinking keys as a follow up reading activity - children’s free choice or teacher directed • Creating a work sheet template for the manageable use of time and resources which also enables all children to have immediate access to each key activity • At the Kath Murdoch seminar we developed our understanding of using the thinking keys to assess where kids are at during a unit

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Using the question key to assess students growing understanding of topical work E.g. ‘Tell me a question, where the answer would be Jupiter’. We found that this was a quick and easy way to gauge students understanding and plan the next step.

• The thinking keys provide a flexible and dynamic way to engage students in further learning

• They are a great way to do informal assessment during the unit for measuring student understanding • The students really enjoy the range of activities that the keys enable them to choose from and subsequently produce interesting and thoughtful work

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Continue to develop a range of thinking key activities for different areas of the classroom day based on the model that we have developed Change and develop our model as we learn ways of enhancing it Further develop the use of thinking keys as a tool for informal assessment

“ It tested our knowledge to see how much we know.” Student B

Put your ‘Thinking Caps’ on and complete as many of these thinking keys as you can. You will write the answers in your Reading book, making sure you have an underlined title for each thinking key you are about to answer.

The Reverse Key Name 10 things that are not in space The What If Key What if you were offered to go on the next space mission with NASA? The Combination Key Your mission is to combine the features of an alien and a sheep to create a new species. Do a drawing of this new species and list its important features The Alphabet Key Make a list of things about space from A – Z The Variations Key Create an information web of all the different ways you can think of that we can find out information about outer space The Prediction Key Write a paragraph about what space travel will be like in 50 years. The Ridiculous Key Write your ideas for how to make this idea possible A holiday resort is opened on the moon The Question Key Write Questions that can only be answered with these words Jupiter, Mars, Earth, Sun, Moon, Venus, Pluto, Saturn, Uranus The Inventions Key We learn a lot of important information through space exploration and technologies that help us to learn about space. Create and design a new way that we can explore and find out more about space. Remember to label all its special features. The Commonality Key What do our class members and astronauts have in common? The Alternative Key Work out 3 ways you could make a model of our solar system without using paper or cardboard. You could draw a diagram to show what you did. The Ridiculous Key Brainstorm all your ideas about how we could make this statement happen. ‘All people need to go exploring space for one year when they turn 18’. The Disadvantages Key List all the disadvantages of space exploration. Now work through your list and brainstorm ways which you could correct the disadvantages. The Variations Key Brainstorm how many ways you can find out about space.

With your ‘Thinking Caps’ on your mission is to complete as many of these thinking keys as you can. The Answers will be in your theme book and will be thoughtful and tidy. The Reverse Key Name 10 Species in New Zealand that are not endangered The What If Key What if there were no introduced predators in New Zealand? The Combination Key Your mission is to combine the features of an introduced species and a native specie to create a new animal. Do a drawing of the new animal and list its important features The Alphabet Key Make a list of things about endangered species from A – Z The Variations Key Create an information web of all the different ways you can think of that we could Save New Zealand’s Endangered Species The Prediction Key Write a paragraph about what New Zealand will be like in 50 years if we look after and protect our Endangered species The Ridiculous Key Write your ideas for how to make this idea possible Cats are only allowed out of the house if they are on a lead The Question Key Write Questions that can only be answered with these words Habitat. Forest. Kakapo. Native Species. New Zealand. Predator. Kiwi. The Inventions Key Introduced predators are a really big problem for New Zealands birds. Create and design a red alert system for the birds so they know when a predator is coming. Remember to label all its special features. The Interpretation Key There is a new law in New Zealand that you have to promote. You need to design a poster and explain why it is important. The Law: Only Native species are to be kept as pets in New Zealand.

Action Research carried out by Sandra Keenan and Kirstin Flockton