Full Description
The Shaping of Thought: A Teacher's Guide to Metacognitive Mapping and Critical Thinking in Response to Literature provides a strategic and structured approach to the use of cognitive mapping in response to literature. The allied metacognitive strategy of ThinkTrix, incorporating seven basic thinking types, or mind actions, has emerged from elementary student-created cognitive maps known as ThinkLinks, a student friendly term. Students had labeled their thinking on the ThinkLinks and from the hundreds of work samples, the seven types of thinking were identified. Placed in a matrix with focal points, the thinking types became the ThinkTrix. Originally thought to be cues for teacher questioning, students soon took on the mind actions for their own questioning, responding, and mapping. The book offers a procedural and exemplified guide to metacognitive mapping and is built upon the central purpose of student-generated connections between life and literature.
Once teachers and students have adopted or adapted the suggested framework and strategies in The Shaping of Thought, they will always have visual and aware representation of thinking as a learning tool. Problem solving, decision making, inquiring, and creating will have joined with an indispensible means to lifetime learning and to the goal of constructing what Jerome Bruner called "structures of knowledge".
Along with a teaching strategy, the book includes strong philosophical underpinnings with "The Kaleidoscope of Learning", teacher/student tools, numerous activities, and samples of student work. Taken seriously, the Guide will deepen the understanding of literature and life in the direction of the "Big Ideas", as envisioned by McTighe and Wiggins and by so many teachers.
Contents
Dedication
Foreword—Jay McTighe
Preface
Acknowledgements
Thinklink Prototype Shapes
Introduction
THE THINKLINK CLASSROOM
THINKTRIX: ONE-SIDED
THINKTRIX DISCUSSION BOARD: TWO-SIDED MATRIX
TYPES OF THINKING: THINKTRIX QUESTION EXAMPLES AND STARTERS
A THINKLINK PRIMARY CLASSROOM SCENARIO
THINKTRIX QUESTION GENERATOR: PRIMARY
A THINKLINK INTERMEDIATE CLASSROOM SCENARIO
THINKTRIX QUESTION GENERATOR: INTERMEDIATE/SECONDARY
CHAPTER I: THE CHARACTER THINK LINK
The Character Web
Definition, Prototypes, and Samples
Instruction
Demonstration and Guided Practice Stage
Independent Production Stage
The Character Comparison ThinkLink
Definition and Prototypes
Instruction
Demonstration and Guided Practice Stage
Independent Production Stage
SUMMARY
CHAPTER II: THE EVENT THINKLINK
THE EVENT-IDEA THINKLINK
Definition and Prototypes
Instruction
THE EVENT-CAUSEÖEFFECT THINKLINK
Definition and Prototypes
Instruction
Demonstration and Guided Practice Stage
Independent Production Stage
THE EVENT-ANALOGY THINKLINK
Definition and Prototypes
Instruction
SUMMARY
CHAPTER III: THE THEME THINKLINK
THE THEME-EXAMPLE THINKLINK
Definition and Prototypes
Instruction
THE THEME CAUSEÖEFFECT THINKLINK
Definition and Prototypes
Instruction
Demonstration and Guided Practice Stage
Independent Production Stage
SUMMARY
CHAPTER IV: THE STORY THINKLINK
THE STORY-EXAMPLE-IDEA THINKLINK
Definition and PrototypesInstruction
THE STORY-ANALOGY THINKLINK
Definition and Prototypes
Instruction
SUMMARY
Conclusion
The Kaleidoscope of Learning
APPENDIX
Tools & Cues
List of Familiar Stories
List of Character Traits & Feelings
List of Themes and Ideas
Using Theme CauseÖEffect Questions to Understand Literature and Life
ThinkTrix Icons on Pinch Cards and Wheels
Question Generator
The ThinkLink Classroom: Response to Literature
ACTIVITES
Cause/Effect Essay Model
Cause/Effect Essay Sample: Why Do People Fake
Response to Literature Activities
Glossary of Terms
Bibliography
About the Authors
