Kindergarten:
Kindergarten classes began a new thinking skills unit this week. The purpose of this week's lesson was to introduce students to evaluative thinking, which is criterion-based, critical reasoning. Students learned to base decisions on factual, observable, or measureable considerations (or criteria) resulting from logical inquiry and reasoning. Criterion-based evalutive thinking focuses on these concepts:
- There is no one right answer.
- From among many possible choices, considerations (or criteria) help guide students to the best choices.
- Decisions are based on factual or observable considerations -- not opinions.
- Students must support and justify their choices.
I asked the children if they have ever asked their parents for something and were told "no." I explained how different reasons are considered when parents tell them "yes" or "no" -- and those are called considerations or criteria. Then they heard a story about a boy who invents many creative reasons why his mother should let him have a stegosaurus. The children listened while I read an entertaining story called Can I Have a Stegosaurus? Can I? Please?! After I finished reading, I asked the children to draw a reason why they need a pet stegosaurus!
Your child's teacher and I are looking for students who grasp concepts quickly and can logically support their responses. We are looking for unusual considerations and the ability to draw conclusions, as well as the ability to see situations from more than one viewpoint.
Check back next week for another update!
First Grade:
First graders began a new thinking skills unit this week! The purpose of this week's lesson was to combine analysis and synthesis (learned earlier this year) to solve spatial problems. Students met Max the Magician, who fools kids' brains by what their eyes perceive! Students learned...
- Spatial perception combines various thinking skills.
- Shapes can be manipulated mentally.
- Visual patterns are predictable.
- The eyes and brain must work together to think about given information.
- Finally, perseverance is important with this higher-level thinking skill!
Students solved several visual/spatial tasks, including Rabbit Reversal and Designer Details. Each task gave children an opportunity to use spatial intelligence and reasoning.
Your child's teacher and I are looking for students who grasp concepts quickly, combine visual clues to solve problems, manipulate shapes mentally, and intuitively see answers. Check back next week for another update from first grade!
Second Grade:
Second grade enrichment groups on evaluative thinking began this week. The purpose of this week's lesson was to practice creating measureable, factual criterion questions and applying them on a creative problem-solving matrix.
I borrowed backpacks from the children for this activity. I asked the groups to describe what makes a good backpack. We recorded ideas, including...straps of sturdy material, many pockets for storage, a loop for hanging on a hook, adjustable straps, etc. I asked them to select criteria they consider most important and write them in measureable form. Then, individually, students compared each backpack according to his/her criteria and chose the best one! This was great thinking practice!
Some students are especially fluent and creative while brainstorming ideas! Check back next week for another update!
