Michael Pohl

An absorbing day with Michael Pohl both endorsed a lot that we are already doing and left us with many ideas for enhancing inquiry and the thinking process.  Michael introduced a number of models that can be used to encourage students to think in different ways - deBono's Hats, Revised Blooms, Thinker's Keys.  It will be useful to see how each of these marries up with Forarty's Three Storey Intellect which at present forms the basis of our inquiry thinking tools.  Whichever we choose to continue with we must ensure that all staff know and understand how they fit into the inquiry process.  We need to remember to keep the toolbox manageable.

Michael also talked about developing complex thinking skills.  Some ideas he introduced:

• Both teachers and students need to become good questioners
• Acronyms - SCUMPS, SCAMPER - can help to develop analytical thinking
• Use graphic organisers/mind maps to organise information, show relationships and analyse ideas
• Develop the language of thinking.  All children - from the youngest to the oldest - should be hearing the same language.  
  
• Use visual icons to help the younger children understand the language
• Questions need to be deep, thought provoking

Unpacking Fogarty's

Mark took us thru the Fogarty's Three Storeys Intellect.

As a staff we clarified how we are using the question starters, buzz words.

Used as a tool to develop fat questions.

Using the first storey we asked..."What is global warming?" DEFINE and then developed into.

"What are the most important factors causing global warming?" COMPARE

"Evaluate the use of recycling in school on a Worldwide scale?" JUSTIFY/EVALUATE

When developing questions ask the children, "What does your/our question require you/us to do to get the answer".

A lot of discussion around the other 'tools' we have in the 'box'.  Is there any point of adding another tool  (Andersons Revised).  Because Andersons and Forgartys have similar sentence stems. Are there major differences?  We think not.

As a staff we were quite split on what we wanted...Jan made us vote!  Nic sat on the fence!

We have decided on Fogarty's, Activities from Blooms, De Bonos thinking hats, graphic organiser , kiplings 7 servants (Who, what, where, when, which,why,how) and thinking maps.

Decision made.....WE THINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!