Key+features

=Creative thinking is an important skill to have. By being creative, it helps us to 'cope with change' and try out new ways of doing things. Thinker keys help use this creative and innovative approach. They require the learner to think of their unique response or answer. = =Since there are different types of keys, at least one can be included in different activities such as homework tasks or at writing time. = = = =There are 20 thinker keys and each of them range in various levels of thinking. = =They are organised into two groups. In the first group, there are 10 organisation keys and in the other group there are 10 creative keys. They produce 'higher order thinking'. =

__** The Thinking Keys **__


Put together a list of words using each letter of the alphabet which relates to the topic. It helps students to understand their thinking. The alphabet key sorts the topic, to make it easier and to pick out key ideas. eg. For New Zealand; A=Anzac, B=Buzzy Bee and so on.



Place words like cannot, never and not into sentences. By doing this task, students are required to think, while having the base knowledge of the topic. eg. Name 10 things which you would not find in New Zealand

This is the key, where the goal is to list all the disadvantages of an object. The learners then list all the ways to fix the problem. The reason why this key is used is to understand disadvantages of different objects and then expand on their thinking by listing ways in which the object can be improved. Eg. umbrella each one. || to the edges of the umbrella. ||
 * __**Disadvantages**__ || __**Improvements**__ ||
 * The sharp sections can poke you in the eye. || Glue flat erasers onto the end of
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">They take up too much room || <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Develop a series of locking hinges on length of umbrella ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Water drips onto your shoes. || <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Attach an overhanging plastic sheet

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Learners list different uses for items from their topic study. This is a chance for students to use their imagination. The strategy involved with this key is having an awareness of different ways to recycle an object. Apply this to our everyday products. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Find 10 different uses for a milk bottle container ie. create a boat to place in a race down a creek.



<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">This key is when the learner answers a 'What If' question. This is a great way to introduce a topic of study and for understanding what the knowledge of the students are. The What If key lets the children come up with some very creative and innovative ideas. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. What if suddenly, all the sheep in New Zealand disappeared?

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">This is where the learner lists the attributes of two very different objects and then combine the list into one object. Many inventions such as the printing press (the wine press and the coin punch), were created this way. This gives the learners the chance to create a new object from already known inventions. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Leaf = Insects often eat them <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Mousetrap = They can kill mice <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Combined = A miniature mousetrap for placing on leaves, that can kill insects when they try to eat the leaf.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">The BAR key makes an object **B**igger <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**A**dds something to it <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**R**eplaces something on it <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">It can be used with all learners from year one to adults. This is a step by step strategy to create innovative and interesting objects. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. **BAR** a computer chair <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **B**igger: Make the back of the chair go taller and the seat wider. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **A**dd: Add a small coffee table to the chair. It will have a shallow hole on the right hand side to put drinks in. It can easily move so that there is easy access to the chair. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **R**eplace: Replace the legs and wheels with a hovercraft. This will be controlled by a button which is on the coffee table too.



<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">When using this key always start with the question "How many ways can you........". This key expands the children's' thinking. Some practical ideas always evolve from this key. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. How many ways can you catch a bear?



<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Students respond to a situation by predicting a number of possibilities. The justification and strategy of using this key is because the journey is easier if you know where you are heading. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Predict what New Zealand will look like in 50 years.



<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Draw a simple picture or diagram and the learners have to find ways to link it to the topic which is being studied. Research has been shown, that by developing visual skills, learning will improve in all fields of study. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Outer Space



<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">An overloaded UFO carrying Christmas trees <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">A space monster breaking out of its shell



<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Make a statement that will be impossible to implement. Learners then have to attempt to justify the ideas by developing a case to support it. Brilliant ideas are hindered by the fact that different expressions such as "it's not possible" and "that is just ridiculous". <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. The government should buy a car for every tax payer.

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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Have two objects which would usually have nothing in common and find similarities between them. This key stretches the mind and is used for creative ideas and development of unusual concepts. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. A pohutukawa tree and the Pacific Ocean ie. they both change colour throughout the year.

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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">The learners are provided with an answer. The learners then have to create 5 questions which go with that answer. The strategy which this encompasses is to give the learners a chance to ask the questions, instead of the teacher doing it all the time. Learners still need that sound knowledge base though. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. The answer is Pavlova ie. What is a pudding made with egg whites, which was invented in NZ?

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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">This key is when the teacher states a problem which needs to be solved. Learners can either work by themselves or in groups to create a brainstorm different practical and innovative solutions. This key helps with solutions to everyday problems. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Too many people eat fast food

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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Learners develop inventions in an unusual way. First the learners have to outline their invention on paper, which may lead to construction. Since most people love to invent things, this key gives them that opportunity. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Invent one of the following: <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> A trap for catching pests <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> An egg shell peeler <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> A device that will wake you up in the morning <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Make a statement which could not usually be questioned or argued with, and then try to break down the wall by outlining other ways of dealing with the situation. This key practices the development of alternative strategies. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Governments need to collect taxes in order to provide necessary services ie. Every working person could be rostered to work in a government department for one day each week.

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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Pose a construction problem-solving task and provide the material which you want the learners to use and they can be by themselves or in groups. This is an example of practical creative thinking. A strategy to use here is the see/plan/do/check problem-solving strategy. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Build the longest bridge using one sheet of newspaper, sticky tape and 10 straws.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> The forced relationship key is when the learners need to develop a solution to three unrelated objects. These objects cannot be used the way they were made to be used. Problem solving skills are learnt with this key. It is important to continue to develop different strategies because there may situations where you only have certain objects to solve a problem. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Problem :You need to retrieve your kite from a very tall tree using: a packet of Minties, a hairbrush and a comic.

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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Learners think of ways to finish a task without the normal equipment used. By taking away the normal tool used in completing a task, learners are forced to think creatively. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. Work out three ways to brush your hair without a hair brush.

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<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Describe an unusual situation. Students think of different ways to explain that situation. This is another innovative strategy. It d evelops the ability to think about a wide range of consequences. ======

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eg. The clown is standing in the middle of the empty school oval
[|Tony Ryan's Thinker Keys] gives the definition of each of the thinker keys and an example of what they look like.

[|Thinker Keys for Kids] is another site which gives the definition of each of the keys. It also includes the justification about why we should use each of the keys.