A disposition is an enduring characteristic or trait that serves to motivate behaviour. Our disposition defines who we are.
In 2005 at the conclusion of a 5 year project into cultivating thinking dispositions, Ron Ritchhart and his Project Zero colleagues developed a set of simple strategies for scaffolding thinking, known as thinking routines.
These Thinking Routines became the core of what we refer to as Visible Thinking.
Thinking routines are designed to
- be easy to remember
- be practical
- invite a broad range of thinking moves
You will find a range of thinking routines on the Project Zero website.
The ‘understanding’ you want your students to develop will influence the ‘routines & thinking opportunities’ you provide. Therefore you must consider the intent of your lesson when selecting a routine. How do you want your students to think? What understanding are you hoping to develop?
Download a copy of the map from http://www.pz.harvard.edu/resources/understanding-map
To explore Visible Thinking in greater detail read Making Thinking Visible by Ritchhart, Church and Morrison. It will change how you teach!
