Thinking

Professional Development - Thinking

Developing Thinking in the Mathematics Classroom

Participants will explore the outcomes that can be achieved by setting up a positive learning environment where thinking in the Mathematics classroom is promoted and expected. Participants will not only leave this hands-on session with some ready-made engaging maths activities which they will be able to implement immediately, but will also feel comfortable using a range of thinking tools and strategies enabling them to deliver a differentiated maths curriculum for Middle Years classrooms. Activities will be linked to the E5 Instruction model and discussion will centre around quality Middle Years classroom practices.

Developing the Thinking Classroom

This PD will introduce participants to the value of thinking strategies in the classroom. By leading participants through some examples, this PD will examine the benefits of this approach for the ‘above’, ‘below’ and ‘average’ learner. It aligns the various thinking tools and strategies with the ‘Blooms’ framework of thinking, providing question starters to guide learners to understand the expectation of given tasks and to equip them with appropriate learning/working tools and strategies to help them achieve these expectations. During the course of the day, participants will experience a number of cognitive and cooperative tools and strategies and will be encouraged to identify their place in the framework and to reflect upon the application of these into their own classrooms, year levels and KLA areas.

This PD is suitable for administrators and teachers of all levels and KLA’s. Participants will depart the session empowered with strategies they can implement the very next day.
Testmonials

Planning Curriculum Units

This PD provides a simple method of planning units with a focus on student product. The unit can be anything from a day to a term in length. The product is broken down into the skills needed to achieve the desired student products, which becomes the major content focus lesson by lesson. Skills are identified in both the lesson content and the student products (assessment tasks). Teacher’s list outcomes they want to achieve – including departmental, school, classroom, academic, organizational, social or personal outcomes, and these too guide the plan. Strategies, Tools and Resources are all recognized as are the Departmental Expectations (e.g. Victoria – VELS). Multiple groups can be catered for. Once complete, these simple, single A4 page plans provide masses of information for principals, unit leaders, CRT’s, parents and school councillors as well as being a working document for the teacher on what is actually done in the classroom.

Teachers will commence developing a challenging unit during the session. This PD would be suitable for anyone involved in curriculum and planning (P-VCE).

Developing Thinking
Tools and Strategies to Promote Thinking in the Classroom and Workplace
2 hour workshops

WORKSHOP ONE: ENGAGING THE INTEREST

Generating ideas rapidly
Engaging learners in topics
Encouraging focus
Making connections
Retention of detail

Strategies include: RAS, KWL, Y-chart, See-saw; Hot Potato

WORKSHOP TWO: DEVELOPING IDEAS

Generating ideas quickly and inclusively
Striving for the best product
Thinking beyond the obvious
Considering other points of view

Strategies include: Round Robin, PMI, Extended PMI; I:4:P:C:R; Jigsaw, Comma Thinking Rule

WORKSHOP THREE: ENGAGING THE LEARNER

Engaging the learner through different levels of thinking
Developing activities to get the most out of them

Strategies include: Silent card shuffle; Multiple Intelligences

WORKSHOP FOUR: ORGANIZING THINKING

Organization Strategies for students
Organization strategies for teachers
Making ideas feasible and achievable

Strategies include: T-bar, concept maps, venn diagrams, Lotus Diagrams, Grids, Unit planning techniques

WORKSHOP FIVE: DECISION MAKING

Prioritising
Justifying
Planning (short term, medium,)
Critically analysing
Considering all factors

Strategies include: Competition Organiser, Justified Best Choice, Round Robin,

WORKSHOP SIX: REFLECTIVE THINKING

Assessment of effectiveness
Thinking about ideas
Identifying possible problems
Identifying needed improvements

Strategies include: SWQ2, Rating Gauge, S.W.O.T analysis; Six thinking hats,

Get the most out of your Thinking Toolbox

All workshops include some cognitive and co-operative strategies
All workshops make reference to the framework for thinking at different levels
All workshops encourage reflection and transfer of strategies learnt by participants
All workshops can be run as after school PD – cut your CRT costs

Discuss the times that best suit you. Demonstrations of the Toolbox CD’s can be arranged.

PROMOTING THINKING IN THE MATHS CLASSROOM

This session is about setting up a positive learning environment where thinking is both promoted and expected in the Mathematics classroom. It makes the most of engaging activities, whilst recognizing the requirements of multiple ability Middle Years classrooms.

Participants will not only leave this hands-on session with some ready-made engaging activities which they will be able to implement immediately, but will also be rewarded with the development of their own skills and strategies to be able to elicit a lot more from their own teaching and learning activities by invoking deeper thinking in their students, and a willingness for them to explore mathematical possibilities.

A number of examples will be used to illustrate the expectations required, and questioning needed, in order to develop deeper understanding and encourage students to make logical mathematical predictions. Participants will be involved in developing questioning techniques that require their students to move beyond the straightforward answer, to appreciating the real value of working mathematically.

THINKING BY CREATING

This session will utilize thinking strategies and planning techniques, as well as creating and making activities that make students think. Participants in this session will learn how easy it is to create activities with their students, and as they do so, learn the formula for getting their students involved in, engaged with and thinking about the mathematics they are doing.

Reflection is an integral part of the session and discussion will focus on the issues of catering for all abilities, and the development of ‘thinking’ students. Participants will be involved in making some activities during the session and will depart armed with lots of ideas and enthusiasm to create further activities and programs that will stimulate thinking in their own classrooms.

Bring along a laptop and/or a USB in order to share creations.

Two Dozen Thinking Tool Templates Designed Simply for Teachers
Compiled by Linda Anania – TMELA Education - 2008

Great for Reflective Classrooms
Supports the infusion of Thinking Strategies
Assists in developing Higher Order Thinking in Literacy, Numeracy, Success for Boys and all curriculum areas
No more time spent constructing templates
Great for all classrooms as well as staff and team meetings
Quick and easy to use – just carry in your laptop bag
See more details on order form page

Thinking Tool Templates on the CD

Tools for Collecting Ideas	Tools for Organizing Thoughts	Tools for Evaluating	Tools for Decision Making	Tools for Creativity
Alphabet Brainstorm Attribute Listing Grids KWHL Thought Concept Map X chart	Comparative Thought Bubbles Flow Chart Lotus Diagram PSCA T- Charts Think Boards	Parking Lot PMI Six Hats SWOT SWQ2 Venn Diagrams 2 Venn Diagrams 3	Action Planning Timeline Competition Organiser Justified Best Choice Rating Gauge	EMBRACE Y chart

THINKING TOOLBOX 2

Another two dozen thinking tool templates designed to save thinking teachers time and to assist students to think, organize and reflect.

This CD has been designed in response to the success of the first CD ‘The Thinking Toolbox’ and offers another two dozen time saving templates for teachers and their students. Once again, its simplicity, variety and adaptability is what sets this resource apart from its competitors. It can be used with groups by using a data projector, or through an interactive white board; or by individuals simply by printing paper copies – it is all as simple as slipping the CD into your laptop, or accessing your school intranet (if a school licence has been obtained). Any of the templates can be adapted to suit the user, and group responses can be saved and revisited at a later date.

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THINKING TOOLBOX 2 CONTENTS	Goal Setting	Organizing Ideas	English	Mathematics	Integrated Studies*	Teams	Evaluation	Teacher Planning
5 W’s & an H			◊		◊
Blooms and Gardner’s Planning Grid								◊
Chronological Time Line		◊	◊	◊	◊
Event Summary		◊	◊		◊
Ferris Wheel Organizer		◊	◊		◊
Goal Stepping	◊		◊	◊	◊		◊
Group Cooperative Work Evaluation	◊					◊	◊
Group Organizational Role Cards						◊		◊
Higher Order Thinking Planner								◊
Hundreds Exploration Chart				◊
Issue Thinking		◊	◊		◊
Jellyfish Organizer		◊	◊		◊
Multiple Intelligences Planner								◊
Numberlines / Timelines				◊	◊
Project Planner	◊	◊	◊	◊	◊	◊
Reading Excitement Graph			◊				◊
Science Investigation Report			◊		◊
Skeleton Planner		◊	◊		◊
Story Boarding		◊	◊
Targeted Self Evaluation	◊						◊
Task Self Evaluation							◊
Team Action Planner	◊	◊				◊	◊	◊
Tens Frame Manipulation				◊
Vertical Venn Diagrams		◊	◊	◊	◊		◊