Learning Focused Schools - Extended Thinking Strategies

Abstracting – Abstracting is the process used to form metaphors, similes, and analogies.  In this process, we are identifying patterns or themes and then identifying something else that uses the same pattern or theme.  This depends the understanding of the essential concept

 

Example:    Police officers use abstracting to create profiles to help solve similar crimes.

 

Compare/Contrast – This strategy involves the identification and articulation of similarities and differences among items.

 

Example:   In choosing a weight loss or exercise program people compare & contrast various programs.

 

Classifying and Categorizing – This strategy involves the process by which we organize things into groups based on their attributes.  This may be by sorting them in a manner in which the teacher gives the students the categories or to develop a higher order of thinking, students may compose the categories themselves.

 

Example:  Newspapers use classifying to list various events in the paper – i.e. sports, entertainment, & headlines.

 

Constructing Support – This strategy actively engages students in providing proof in support of statements for an argument or position.  In order to do this, students need to collect data and develop a deeper understanding of the information.

 

Example:  Politicians use examples of their political accomplishments to win support of the constituents.

 

Analyzing Perspective – Analyzing perspective involves developing background information for a personal viewpoint and the opposing viewpoint of others.  The purpose is to increase understanding of content and gain additional insight.

 

Example:  Fairy tales can be told from various characters perspective which give a story a completely different slant.

 

Inductive Reasoning – This process involves the analysis of specific facts to then draw a generalization conclusion.  Students look for patterns or connections in the materials given. 

 

Example:  By noting the cold weather, falling temperatures, freezing precipitation, a driver might induce that winter tires are needed on a vehicle.

 

Deductive Reasoning –Deductive reasoning involves the identification of specific information to support a generalization.

 

Example:  If all the members of the Jones family are employed in the medical profession and Susan is a Jones, she must be employed in the medical field.

 

Error Analysis – This strategy involves the identification and description of errors in thinking or performance – both self and other.  Independent thinking and analyzing skills are thus developed in students.

 

Example:  An examination of the newspaper article revealed that several of the claims made by a local politician were false.