Visible+Thinking

=Visible thinking= http://www.pz.harvard.edu/vt/VisibleThinking_html_files/VisibleThinking1.html =Introduction= toc This is a project out of Harvard University. The essence of this project is a series of routines or perhaps “mantras” for thinking. They are simple and to the point. While more suited to Middle school students they are good, apt and appropriate. Some of the truth and understanding routines will definitely have a place in senior classes.

Purpose and Goals
Here is their introduction and Purpose from the visible thinking website: “//Visible Thinking is a flexible and systematic research-based approach to integrating the development of students' thinking with content learning across subject matters. An extensive and adaptable collection of practices, Visible Thinking has a double goal: on the one hand, to cultivate students' thinking skills and dispositions, and, on the other, to deepen content learning. By thinking dispositions, we mean curiosity, concern for truth and understanding, a creative mindset, not just being skilled but also alert to thinking and learning opportunities and eager to take them// ”

Here are some of the goals they have specifically identified:
 * Deeper understanding of content
 * Greater motivation for learning
 * Development of learners' thinking and learning abilities.
 * Development of learners' attitudes toward thinking and learning and their alertness to opportunities for thinking and learning (the "dispositional" side of thinking).
 * A shift in classroom culture toward a community of enthusiastically engaged thinkers and learners.

Structure
The routines are structured well and only take a single page for each. It covers: the thinking routines itself
 * Purpose:** What kind of thinking does this routine encourage?
 * Application:** When and where can it be used?
 * Launch:** What are some tips for starting and using this routine?

If you go to the [|Visible thinking web site] you can download these in zipped packages of PDF files. I have also upload these and you can get them from the resources section of this page

The Routine cover the following aspects of thinking:

Core Routines
//**SEE / THINK / WONDER**// - A routine for exploring works of art and other interesting things //**I USED TO THINK…, BUT NOW I THINK…**// - A routine for reflecting on how and why our thinking has changed
 * //THINK / PUZZLE / EXPLORE//** - A routine that sets the stage for deeper inquiry
 * //THINK PAIR SHARE ROUTINE//** - A routine for active reasoning and explanation
 * //CIRCLE OF VIEWPOINTS ROUTINE//** - A routine for exploring diverse perspectives
 * //COMPASS POINTS//** - A routine for examining propositions E excited W Worrisome N need to know S = Stance or Suggestion for Moving Forward
 * //WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT?//** - Interpretation with Justification Routine

Creativity Routines
//**OPTIONS EXPLOSION**// - A routine for creative decision making //**OPTIONS DIAMOND**// - Exploring the tensions of decision making routine //**DOES IT FIT?**// - A routine for thinking creatively about options //**CREATIVE QUESTIONS**//- A routine for generating and transforming questions //**CREATIVE HUNT**// - A routine for looking at parts, purposes and audiences //**STEP INSIDE: PERCEIVE, KNOW ABOUT, CARE ABOUT**// - A routine for getting inside viewpoints

Fairness routines
//**HERE NOW / THERE THEN**// A routine for considering presentist attitudes and judgments //**CIRCLE OF VIEWPOINTS ROUTINE**// A routine for exploring diverse perspectives //**TUG OF WAR**// A routine for exploring the complexity of fairness dilemmas
 * //REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK//** A routine for separating fact and feeling
 * //MAKING IT FAIR: NOW, THEN, LATER//** A routine for finding actions

Truth Routines
//**TRUE FOR WHO?**// A routine for exploring truth claims from different perspectives //**HOTSPOTS**// A routine for noticing truth occasions //**CLAIM / SUPPORT / QUESTION**// A reasoning routine //**TUG FOR TRUTH**// A routine for exploring tensions of truth

Understanding Routines
//**THINK / PUZZLE / EXPLORE**//- A routine that sets the stage for deeper inquiry //**THE EXPLANATION GAME**// - A routine for exploring causal understanding //**CONNECT / EXTEND / CHALLENGE**// - A routine for connecting new ideas to prior knowledge //**WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT?**// - Interpretation with Justification Routine =Resources:= http://www.pz.harvard.edu/vt/VisibleThinking_html_files/VisibleThinking1.html
 * //THINK PAIR SHARE ROUTINE//** - A routine for active reasoning and explanation
 * //QUESTION STARTS//** - A routine for creating thought-provoking questions
 * //HEADLINES ROUTINE//** - A routine for capturing essence