The purpose of this post is to explore different ways and purposes for creating thinking routines that intentionally have students grouped in different ways and different purposes to enhance Thinking and Learning Framework (T&L) practices through intentional comprehensive literacy subdomains and ALM strategies. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but to provide structures for teachers to consider.
All routines begin with content and standards. I am not articulating them as part of the initial part of this document (but will later in the lesson examples), but the first task is to identify the targeted skill/standard to be able to identify appropriate T&L Domain, practices, and expectations:
Building Community (BC), Contribute Knowledge (CK), or Think Critically (TC)
If focus is on Building Community (BC) then focus on the process, active listening, and students learning to bring something to the conversation. If students are reluctant to participate, build the expectation of what they are being asked to write so they bring more to the conversation.
If BC then…
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Partner OptionsElbow Partner– Kagan Structure for students to right or left depending on how students are grouped Face Partner similar but generally used for partners across the table Clock Partners are just a grouping structure:
Stand-up, Hand-up, Pair-up a Kagan strategy that is less structured that provides extensive student voice and choice, coupled with students standing and moving (which provides a kinesthetic component as well as a spacing aspect) |
Individual partner Routines |
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Step 1 Think-Ink (prompt with think time and ink expectation) – build this expectation for those more resistant students (create a safe environment to build value and comfort/community), it may not be complete sentences but might be bullet points to begin with. – limit time and build stamina as the year goes on. If students are struggling with 2-3 minutes then build stamina over time.
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Individual Partners Shares Elbow Partners/Face Partners/Clock Partner
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Multiple Independent Partner Shares Give1,Get1, Clock partners, Stand-up,Hand-up,Pair-up, Block Party (see online process) with teacher directed shift
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Our next blogs in this series will explore the Contributing Knowledge, Thinking Critically domains and specific content area examples.