VISIBLE
THINKING
Source: Visible Thinking Project Zero: https://pz.harvard.edu/projects/visible-thinking
WHAT IS…?
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Learning routines that are thinking rich
What for…?
- Helps students become better thinkers and close observers
- Helps students sustain their curiosity in every habit of
their lives, not only inside the classroom
- When used over and over, these routines become part of
the classroom’s culture
Better-thinking students (know how to think
creatively, critically and deeply) are in the habit of
observing, analyzing and questioning.
Close observers know how to organize their ideas,
reason carefully and reflect on how they are making
sense of things.
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How can we teach…? Through
THINKING ROUTINES
- Simple structures
- Easy to remember
(set of questions or
- Practical
short sequence of steps)
Invite to a broad range of thinking moves
Help students go beyond the superficial and dig deeper
(make the complex accessible)
Can be used alone or in group
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examples
SEE - THINK - WONDER
This routine encourages
• careful observations
• thoughtful interpretations
and sets the stage for inquiry.
Now, look at this picture:
• What do you see?
• What do you think about that?
• What does it make you wonder?
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Think - puzzle - explore
This routine fits perfectly when starting a new topic or before writing an
opinion essay because it helps students to:
• connect to prior knowledge
• stimulate curiosity
• lay the groundwork for independent inquiry
Let´s talk about CUPCAKES!
What do you think you know about this topic?
What questions or puzzles do you have?
How can you explore this topic?
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3 whys
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Intrinsic motivation is a key engine of deep learning. However, students are
hardly ever taught to find significance in the topics studied.
Now, assessing global and
The 3 WHYs
local significance requires
the mind to operate at Several levels
• Why might this matter to me?
at once.
• Why might it matter to people around
The 3 WHY’s routine invites
learners to move step by Steps
me [family, friends, city, nation]?
across personal, local and
• Why might it matter to the world?
global spheres.
claim - support - question
If you want to develop your students’ thoughtful interpretations by
encouraging them to reason with evidence, then this routine is for you…
Choose one topic and CLAIM, SUPPORT and QUESTION your truth:
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Intermittent fasting
Existence of aliens
Horror movies
Global warming
Astrology
Pizza
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STEP INSIDE (Perceive- know about- care about)
What for…?
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explore different perspectives and viewpoints
create empathy
How…?
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What can this person perceive?
What does this person know about?
What does this person care about?
See also CIRCLE VIEW POINTS
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Compass points
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E: EXCITEMENT
The topic you are dealing with What excites you about this topic?
needs some evaluation.
W: WORRISOME
Let's consider the pros, the
What worries you about this topic?
cons and see what happens…
N: NEED TO KNOW
- Teacher, why don't we go What else do you need to know? What extra info would
to Temaiken?
help evaluate the situation better?
- The Marriage Equality
Law has been passed.
S: STANCE / SUGGESTION for improvement
What is your opinion? How can you move forward in your
evaluation?
Here now// there then
This routine encourages students to
• consider past perspectives
• understand how thinking changes over time and across cultures
• uncover stereotypical perceptions as well as ethnocentric and
presentist judgments
Let´s talk about
COMMUNICATION:
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Thanks!
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