SIX THINKING HATS IN THE THIRD GRADE
This group work strategy can help students look at problems from different
perspectives (Mind Tools 2001). It is about analysing a problem or situation from
different points of view. By doing it step by step as each of the group members ¨wear¨
a thinking hat. Six colours are assigned to the hats, each of them represent one way
of thinking. The white hat is used to think about facts in any problem or situation to
analyse. The red hat is used for emotions. The black hat to think about possible
problems or difficulties one may face due to the situation. The yellow hat is related
to positive thoughts, benefits that the analysed situation can bring us. The green hat
is the options for creative solutions. Finally, the blue hat is used to think about the
management of the thinking process (Hanesová, 2014, p. 39-44). I will use this
strategy with third graders, to think about adopting pets from a refuge.
This group is formed with 24 children, ages 7 and 8. The class is Character Education
and the topic is responsibility. This topic is linked to animals and pets from Science
class and colouring and cutting skills from Art. In the CLIL classroom it is important to
work transversally between subjects so students can find connections among the
different classes and achieve meaningful learning. First, I will discuss with the class
the function of each hat by asking questions. This will help everybody remember,
clarify and construct meaning. After discussion, we will do some arts and crafts so,
they feel more engaged with the fact of wearing a hat and representing a way of
thinking. They will cut and colour some hats’ headbands, their colour will be assigned
randomly by taking a coloured card from a bag. After colouring, cutting and putting
on their headbands, they will sit in a round table with the students who have the
same colour.
The topic will be presented (adopt a pet from a refuge), and roles will be reminded.
Students will have 15 minutes to discuss with their group and write down their ideas
in a poster. While each group discusses the idea according to the roles assigned, me
the teacher will go around to check if the groups need help or guidance. When the
time is over, each group will choose a student to represent them and expose the ideas
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to the class. During the presentation the rest of the group will agree or disagree the
ideas by adding or removing them from the poster. At the end of group discussion,
students individually will write a text about their opinion on the topic and will write
whether they agree or disagree to adopt a pet from a refuge.
This topic was linked to three subjects (Science, Character Education and Art) and
deals with the main goal of the class that is responsibility in terms of adopting pets
from refuges which is a topic of discussion these days in our society. This activity is
excellent for students from ages 7 or 8 and above. It brings benefits for each student
and the whole group because it allows everybody to see a situation from different
perspectives. Sometimes, one can only see the negative aspects or the positive ones
but with this strategy all elements around a situation are considered.
Besides, working in groups promotes cooperative learning which brings many other
advantages such as higher achievement, positive relationships among students,
healthier psychological adjustment than competitive or individualistic experiences,
moral decision making and understanding of others’ positions (Querol, Promoting
cooperative learning in the CLIL classroom, p. 6). "Six Thinking Hats" strategy created
by Edward de Bono is a useful strategy for the topic that I presented to the class. It
encourages students to develop high order thinking skills and gives the opportunity
to acquire vocabulary and expressions from their classmates which then they will use
in their individual written text.
References
Hanesová, D. (2014). Development of critical and creative thinking skills in CLIL.
Journal of Language and Cultural Education, 2 (2), 39-44.
Mind Tools. (January 2000). Six Thinking Hats Looking at a Decision from All Points of
View. Retrieved from: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_07.htm
Querol, M. (2018). The Bilingual Teacher: Profile and Methodology. Promoting
Cooperative Learning in the CLIL Classroom. Unit 8 p. 6. Retrieved from:
https://campus.unir.net/Temario
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