Making Thinking Visible
As educators we are looking for opportunities to create better learning environments and more thoughtful students. Visible Thinking is a way of helping students to think deeply by creating a classroom culture for thoughtful learners.
Some of its key goals include:
Here is a link with additional information about visible thinking and how it impacts our learners: http://www.visiblethinkingpz.org/VisibleThinking_html_files/01_VisibleThinkingInAction/01a_VTInAction.html
Some of its key goals include:
- Deeper understanding of content
- Greater motivation for learning
- Development of learners' thinking and learning abilities
- Development of learners' attitudes toward thinking and learning
- A shift in classroom culture toward a community of enthusiastically engaged thinkers and learners
Here is a link with additional information about visible thinking and how it impacts our learners: http://www.visiblethinkingpz.org/VisibleThinking_html_files/01_VisibleThinkingInAction/01a_VTInAction.html
Classroom Routines
The 4C's
Throughout the year, our students will focus on the Visible Thinking Routine ‘4 C’s. This routine assists learners with a structure for discussion built around the following ideas:
The 4 C’s are used in order to guide students through the process of a text-based discussion. Discussion remain centered and on track rather than veering off-topic. This routine is particularly helpful when discussing complex topics or digging deeper for meaning. As parents, we encourage all of you to ask your children about discussions they have had in school related to the various texts they read in their classrooms. While having discussions, ask your children to provide evidence or an example of their thinking within the text.
- Connections: What connections do you draw between the text and your own life/learning?
- Challenge: What ideas or predictions do you want to challenge or argue within the text?
- Concepts: What key concepts or ideas do you think are important from the text?
- Changes: What changes in thinking are suggested by the text, either for you or others?
The 4 C’s are used in order to guide students through the process of a text-based discussion. Discussion remain centered and on track rather than veering off-topic. This routine is particularly helpful when discussing complex topics or digging deeper for meaning. As parents, we encourage all of you to ask your children about discussions they have had in school related to the various texts they read in their classrooms. While having discussions, ask your children to provide evidence or an example of their thinking within the text.
Zoom in
The purpose of ‘Zoom In’ is to focus on two key concepts: 1. Looking Closely and 2. Making Interpretations. Within this routine, students will be asked to observe a portion of an image closely and develop a hypothesis. As the lesson continues, more of the image is revealed. This allows the students to interpret more information and may guide them to change their minds. The true learning happens when students are allowing themselves to be flexible and open-minded. It encourages students to look closely and make predictions.
Teachers will ask the questions such as:
As more of the image is revealed, teachers will ask:
We encourage all of you to ask your children about lessons they have learned in school and how the teachers encourage students to interpret their observations of images. We also encourage you to use the vocabulary as well when speaking with your children whether it is at the dinner table, driving down the street or discussing a family situation.
Teachers will ask the questions such as:
- What do you see or notice?
- What is your interpretation of this image you are seeing?
As more of the image is revealed, teachers will ask:
- What new things do you see?
- How does this change your thinking?
- What new things are you wondering about?
We encourage all of you to ask your children about lessons they have learned in school and how the teachers encourage students to interpret their observations of images. We also encourage you to use the vocabulary as well when speaking with your children whether it is at the dinner table, driving down the street or discussing a family situation.