I like that this book was not all theory. The authors provided useful strategies and specific routines that help to create a culture of thinking in the classroom. For each routine discussed, there was a "picture of practice" which demonstrated that routine in action in an actual classroom. The authors suggested the type of material or activity best suited to each routine and talked about what might have gone wrong if it didn't work. There are teachers from all grade levels represented so in some cases the example might not seem applicable, but the explanations were done in such a way that it was easily transferrable.The authors stressed that these are not one shot activities. They are part of building a culture in the classroom where ideas are discussed and students have a vocabulary to talk about their own thinking. The book even delves briefly into critical friends groups/professional learning communities and demonstrates the importance of teachers using and modeling these same practices. 1. Learning is a consequence of thinking.2. Learning is as much a collective endeavor as it is an individual process.3. Learning is provisional, incremental, and evolving in nature.4. Learning involves continual questioning aimed at uncovering the complexity of ideas.5. Learning is an active process that entails getting personally involved.Classrooms can become places of intellectual stimulation where learning is viewed not in test scores but in the development of individuals who can think, plan, create, question, and engage independently as learners. This book offers many research-based procedures for supporting a culture of thinking in an educational setting.
What do You think about Making Thinking Visible (2011)?
I love the thinking routines this book recommends - they are great tools for students.
—jewelzmarie
