Author(s): Mary Abbott, Usha James (Editors)
ISBN: 978-0-86491-380-7
The Competencies Toolkit is a print version of the Tools for Thought online collection.
Nurture students' ability to think, communicate, and act using lessons that teach the range of tools needed to develop the competencies needed for 21st century learning.
NOTE: Individual membership not included.
This collection of lessons teaches a range of intellectual tools that students need to function in a 21st century world. The 80 stand-alone lessons in this resource provide the basis for teaching a range of tools to develop student competence to think, communicate and act. The toolkit includes prints and digital versions of detailed teaching instructions, activity and assessment materials, student instructions and additional support resources. This collection provides teacher and student materials to help students learn, for example, to:
This collection of lessons begins to address the challenge of helping students to thoughtfully and effectively think, communicate and act by:
Probing for information (Investigating people and topics) Develop probing questions Inquiry-minded Interviewing techniques Research questions Responsive questioning Generating creative ideas Imagining by drawing analogies Imagining design possibilities through shapes Imagining through a superhero’s powers Imagining though design components Imagining through exaggeration Imagining through the 5W questions Imagining through the senses Imagining “what if”? Evaluating sources Assessing website credibility Credibility of sources Relevant sources Assessing arguments and accounts Analyze similarities and differences Analyze the account Analyze two accounts Assessing the evidence Compare versions Consider significance Detect propaganda Raising doubts Recognizing persuasion Developing arguments Assembling evidence Connecting facts to conclusions Evidence/reason/conclusion Inference Oral rebuttals/counter-arguments Organizing supporting details Relevant details Thinking about thinking Analyze a math problem and check the solution Reflective writing Monitor problem-solving progress Write reflectively in mathematics and science
Relating to others Empathic Finding another perspective Identify leadership qualities Independent mindedness Inside someone’s head Point of vie Rate individual significance Uncover the issues Preparing to act Analyze solutions Cause and consequence Clarify a problem Dealing with ambiguity Explore options Rate the decision State the problem
Interpreting images Analyze a cartoon Explain the image II Explain the image I Focus on the senses Implicit messages in images Interpreting symbols Reflect on an image II Reflect on an image I Interpreting text Previewing Read around the document II Read around the document I Interpreting electronic messages Visualize a math problem Organizing and displaying information Annotate a timeline Impact timeline Organize information in a table Paraphrasing research Storyboards Communicating verbally and non-verbally Active listening Body talk Responding in the moment Speaking notes Expressive and persuasive writing Creating a tone in writing Evaluate a quotation Impassioned writing Persuasive writing Resonating voice Vivid images Writer’s voice
Thank you so much for your Tools for Thought lessons. In my five years of teaching, it's the best resource I've ever come across. I'm thrilled and excited to use all of your activities. The students are completely engaged in what they're learning and I have noticed huge improvements in the quality of their work.
Grade 8 Teacher, Ontario
I particularly enjoy the critical thinking challenges that invite high level thinking for different types of learners - many of these activities, such as the Tools for Thought lessons, can be used for our high needs secondary students who may not always be given the opportunity to think critically. Very valuable!
English and Literacy teacher, Windsor ON
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