5 Question Thinker Key

This is the answer 'Solar System'. Write 5 questions where 'Solar System' is the answer! Sound easy? The first couple of questions might be, but after that you will start to dispute what you have written. This is a great collaborative group activity where you will be sure of plenty of discussion and argument especially if the students start thinking about other answers for the question. This is actually an example of a 'closed answer...there is only one answer; but to create the question to get to that answer takes a lot of thinking and synthesising.

Graphic organizers such as Kidspiration or Inspiration or online versions such as bubbl.us or Webspiration are useful.

The 'What if?' key

This must be one of the most versatile 'Thinkers' key. This question can be asked in any topic or curriculum area


Maths:
What if we changed the operation from + to x?


What if we added an oval shape to our angular tessellation?





Reading:
What if statements challenging or offering a different path to the way the story went








Writing:
Argument Writing:
After writing the supporting points and examples, challenge these statements with What if questions.







Topic Studies:
The What if Thinker key should be used extensively in Topic Studies as it leads the learner into challenging situations.

The Reverse Key

Tony Ryan's 'Reverse Key' uses words such as cannot, never and would not e.g. list things you would never/cannot,would not see.
When you are planning a unit, include a Reverse key

• Healthy food Unit: Name 10 things you would not put on a sandwich?
• Earthquake: What are some of the things you cannot do in an earthquake?
• Zoo: Name 10 zoo animals that cannot live in your house
• Weather: what are 6 things you would not do in a storm

Or use this key as a reading activity

• Charlotte's Web: List 10 things Charlotte would never do?
• Where the Wild Things are: List 6 things that the Wild Things would not do?
• Fairytales: What 5 things could Snow White/Cinderella/ Rapunzel never do?

These answers could be completed as a collaborative group activity, adding ideas to a mindmapping diagram (such as as Kidspiration or Inspiration, or online mindmapping software such as bubbl.us) .

The Alphabet Key (The A-Z Key)

Tony Ryan's Thinker keys can be adapted and used with ICT and I am gradually going to add to this blog different ways I use these with children. The first one I am going to look at is the Alphabet key ('A-Z' thinker key).
Definition: Compile a list of words from A to Z which has relevance to topic.

Create a PowerPoint (or Keynote) template that has a letter per page. Insert a new slide and choose 'Title Only'. In this example I have made the letters in WordArt and dragged the 'Click to add title' down to the bottom of the slide. Duplicate that slide by clicking on the slide in the left hand panel and pressing Ctrl D (or Apple D) to duplicate, keep pressing Ctrl D until you have enough slides.


Topic - Zoo A to Z of animals in the zoo. When you visit the zoo, have a prepared worksheet with A-Z in one column and space in another column to record what animals there are that fit with those letters. Record any details you can find and add them to a PowerPoint (or Keynote A to Z)



Topic - Literacy Unit 'Where the Wild things are'
Use children’s drawings in Paint, AutoShape animals or take photos of them dressed up as Wild Things or photos of their art work. Insert these into an A –Z PowerPoint with names for each letter of the alphabet and descriptions of their Wild Thing.

Topic - Reading Activity 'Artemis Fowl'
Create drawings in Paint, Artrage or any other drawing software. Insert them into an A-Z PowerPoint. For each letter write something about the characters, themes or plotlines.