Making Thinking Visible Routines

The idea of visible thinking helps to make concrete what a thoughtful classroom might look like. At any moment, we can ask, "Is thinking visible here? Are students explaining things to one another? Are students offering creative ideas? Are they, and I as their teacher, using the language of thinking? Is there a brainstorm about alternative interpretations on the wall? Are students debating a plan?"

Even if you haven't taken the Making Thinking Visible PD, you can easily incorporate some of the routines published on their website that make thinking visible, like these:

What Makes You Say That? Interpretation with justification routine

Think Puzzle Explore A routine that sets the stage for deeper inquiry

Think Pair Share A routine for active reasoning and explanation

Circle of Viewpoints A routine for exploring diverse perspectives

I used to Think... Now I think... A routine for reflecting on how and why our thinking has changed

See Think Wonder A routine for exploring works of art and other
interesting things

Compass Points A routine for examining propositions

Connect Extend ChallengeA routine for connecting new ideas to prior knowledge

Explanation Game A routine for exploring causal understanding

Headlines A routine for capturing essence

Question Starts A routine for creating thought-provoking questions

*Think Pair Share A routine for active reasoning and explanation

*Think Puzzle Explore A routine that sets the stage for deeper inquiry

*What makes you say that? Interpretation with justification routine

3-2-1 BridgeA routine for activating prior knowledge and making connections

Colour, Symbol, Image A routine for distilling the essence of ideas non-verbally

Generate, Sort, Connect, Elaborate A routine for organizing one's understanding of a topic through concept mapping

Peel the Fruit A map for tracking and guiding understanding