From Visible Thinking Routines to 5 Modern Learning Routines. I have been a fan of Visible Thinking Routines which were developed by Project Zero from Havard, for a while now. I have used these routines with students, as blogging routines and in professional development workshops. The Visible Thinking Routines website explains that: Routines exist in all classrooms; they are the patterns by which we operate and go about the job of learning and working together in a classroom environment. A routine can be thought of as any procedure, process, or pattern of action that is used repeatedly to manage and facilitate the accomplishment of specific goals or tasks.[…] Classrooms also have routines that structure the way students go about the process of learning As I am trying to make 21st century, modern, contemporary or “now” learning visible, it seemed a natural step to point out “Modern” or “Now” Learning Routines.
Here are my 5 routines that promote modern learning: 1. Read as much as you can on your subject. Comment or annotate on the things you read. 2. 10 Critical Thinking Activities Students Will Love. Today we will tackle the driving question “How can students own their learning with critical thinking activities they’ll really love?” Let’s get beyond the simple “right answers” and get to the critical thinking skills that really matter.
Allowing our students to take stands on issues that matter to them engages the classroom in a way that fosters great critical thinking. Who? What? Why? When they can relate these questions to themselves and exercise personal self-reflection, we build community and “heart-centered” learning. From www.facinghistory.org, here are some amazing critical thinking activities that you can do with your students. Attribute Linking—Building Community by Taking Perspectives Students pair up according to similar physical attributes determined by the facilitator: hair color, eye color, hand size, and height. Barometer—Taking a Stand on Controversial Issues Big Paper—Building a Silent Conversation Body sculpting—Using Theater to Explore Important Ideas Café Conversations.
Questioning Toolkit. Essential Questions These are questions which touch our hearts and souls. They are central to our lives. They help to define what it means to be human. Most important thought during our lives will center on such essential questions. What does it mean to be a good friend? If we were to draw a cluster diagram of the Questioning Toolkit, Essential Questions would be at the center of all the other types of questions. All the other questions and questioning skills serve the purpose of "casting light upon" or illuminating Essential Questions.
Most Essential Questions are interdisciplinary in nature. Essential Questions probe the deepest issues confronting us . . . complex and baffling matters which elude simple answers: Life - Death - Marriage - Identity - Purpose - Betrayal - Honor - Integrity - Courage - Temptation - Faith - Leadership - Addiction - Invention - Inspiration. Essential Questions are at the heart of the search for Truth. Essential Questions offer the organizing focus for a unit.
Depth-of-Knowledge-and-Learning-Icons-Digging-Deep-Critical-Thinking-Skills-1448852 Teaching Resources. These focus wall resources are designed to be engaging and meaningful. Help your kiddos reach for deep knowledge and content mastery using a variety of critical, complex thinking skills. Digging Deep Learning Practices was developed to assist students in engaging in critical thinking and developing meaningful understanding of concepts. This resource contains both large and small posters as well as “quick cards” that can be displayed on focus walls, resource walls, or simply during specific lessons. Encourage your students to think critically and “dig deep”, rather than skim the surface. Utilize these cards throughout your lessons to help your kiddos take ownership of the learning practices as well as higher order thinking. This resource includes: *A Resource Overview *Learning Practices Overview *Depth of Knowledge Overview *Bloom’s Taxonomy Overview *Display Header (Black & White) *Learning Practices Posters (Full size and 1/4 sheet size in both black background and ink saving white background)
The Students' Guide to Mind Mapping. Critical Thinking Part 1: A Valuable Argument. 8 Things Everybody Ought to Know About Concentrating. “Music helps me concentrate,” Mike said to me glancing briefly over his shoulder. Mike was in his room writing a paper for his U.S. History class. On his desk next to his computer sat crunched Red Bulls, empty Gatorade bottles, some extra pocket change and scattered pieces of paper.
In the pocket of his sweat pants rested a blaring iPod with a chord that dangled near the floor, almost touching against his Adidas sandals. On his computer sat even more stray objects than his surrounding environment. There must have been twenty browser tabs open. Mike made a shift about every thirty seconds between all of the above. Do you know a person like this? The Science Behind Concentration In the above account, Mike’s obviously stuck in a routine that many of us may have found ourselves in, yet in the moment we feel it’s almost an impossible routine to get out of. When we constantly multitask to get things done, we’re not multitasking, we’re rapidly shifting our attention.
Phase 1: Blood Rush Alert. High Order Thinking Chart. 6 types of Socratic Questions. How to do the Socratic Method - TeachLikeThis.