Creating thinkers in the
Ethnic School Language
Classroom
Dr. Teresa De Fazio
School of Education
Victoria University

Why
thinkers?
Don’t our students
already?
Do you present activities that engage their thinking?
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

Six ‘metaphorical’ hats
What is sold in your tuckshop? White hat
Do you feel it is a good menu? Red hat
What is on it that is not healthy/ nice?
What is on it that is healthy/nice?
Black hat
Yellow hat
How could it be reorganised to be both healthy and nice?
Green hat
Put together an improved tuckshop list
Blue hat
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

Tell me a story…  Gather data
Recount as a:
 Cloze activity
 Oral retelling
 Ordering and sequencing of facts etc.
 What are the facts
 Locate the information
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

 Feeling/reaction chart  Express your feelings
(emotions – cards)
Scared- what will happen to Pinocchio?
Worried about Pinocchio
I find Jimmy Cricket funny Disappointed for the dad
 What are your emotional reactions to the story?
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

 Story flashcards  Identify the problems/issues?
 Deeper level work with the cloze
 What events/issues came up in the story that were not dealt with constructively/appropriately?
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

 Story flashcards  Identify the positives
 Deeper level work with the cloze
 What events/issues came up in the story that were dealt with constructively and appropriately?
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

 Draw a solution
 Mind map a set of solutions
 Flow chart a solution
 Plan a solution
 Describe a solution
Create a solution
 What could be a more appropriate alternative to the problem?
 How could the situation be changed to be more positive/resolved?
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

 Students take on a metacognitive approach to their learning – they look at and lead their own learning putting on their own hats as needed.
 Conduct/lead the thinking
 Consider the thinking process
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

White hat
Global warming
What are the facts about global warming?
Red hat How does the issue make you feel?
Black hat
Yellow hat
What are the negatives about the issue?
What are the positives?
Green hat
What can be done to address the issue?
Blue hat Have you covered the thinking process
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria carefully University, 2007

The value of language learning to you?
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007

Which hat should our students wear at the end of their language learning experience?
Dr. Teresa De Fazio, Victoria
University, 2007