Easy Ways to Use Higher Order Thinking in the Classroom

Lately, it seems like everyone in the world of education is talking about higher order thinking. Bloom’s Taxonomy, Revised Blooms Taxonomy, Webb’s Depth of Knowledge, the Hess Matrix, the Cognitive Rigor Matrix, and many others are suggested and required reading. I think we all can agree that thinking deeply is important. 

Here are a few simple examples of how I would like to encourage higher order thinking in my classroom.

Expect the unexpected and use it as an opportunity for higher order thinking.

There are times when it is absolutely necessary to veer off the teaching roadmap. When that happens, the probability that an administrator will pop into the classroom increases exponentially. So, be prepared with HOT stems or questions. For instance, a messy project is over and a full out desk and room cleaning is taking place. In walks your principal. Pause and pose a HOT question for students to discuss.

HOT is also for teachers! Here are a couple of examples to share with your teaching friends.

The above also works for:

•The last period of the last day before Spring Break

•Immediately following a tornado drill, fire drill, lock down 

•while recovering from laryngitis

Imagine you stay up too late:

•watching the Super Bowl

•binge watching a favorite series

•caring for a sick child

•grading and planning

Think about this:

Seriously, I really do understand and agree with the importance of higher order thinking in the classroom. In fact, HOT stems are posted in my classroom for students and me to refer to. This display is also a visual reminder for us to ask HOT questions throughout the day.

HOT question card packs are a class favorite. These are perfect for students working in pairs or small groups. The question stems help students take ownership of asking and answering HOT questions. The cards are color coded:

Knowledge = red

Comprehension = orange

Application = yellow

Analysis = green

Synthesis = blue

Evaluation = purple

Download this file FREE during the week of 1/16/17 – 1/23/17!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Higher-Order-Thinking-Question-Stems-2383792

Enjoy!

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The Power of the Unlikely and the Insurmountable

So in the midst of my normal resolutions this New Years (I will try not to roll my eyes when the words data and rigor are mentioned at meetings and I will try to write the correct year on checks) I am going to for real also try not to overlook the unlikely or seemingly insurmountable. 

This does not mean attempting to climb every mountain and cross every sea (breaking into song like Maria VonTrapp in The Sound of Music). I simply want to stop and consider things I might otherwise overlook. The things I don’t think I have time for, the things I fear trying, or the things that seem impossible and insurmountable. The thing is, often the greatest gems in this life stem from these “unlikelies”. Friendships bloom between the most unlikely of people, opportunities come at the most unlikely of times, in the most unlikely of places, and sometimes the most insurmountable circumstances yield the biggest blessings. I personally can attest to the fact that many unlikely and seemingly insurmountable situations have blessed my socks off! 

One of my biggest unlikely and insurmountable situations turned blessing happened several years ago. I had just returned from maternity leave and a colleague suggested that I start a store on Teachers Pay Teachers. I loved creating lessons and activities and planning has always been my favorite part of the job, but I had 3 small children, one of which was a new baby. It seemed unlikely that I would have the time or mental energy to even think about it. My children wanted to be fed. Three meals. Daily. And clean clothes. Then there was teaching and lesson planning. Pages and pages of lesson plans. And my husband. And friendships. And sleep. I could not imagine having time for anything beyond getting through each day. 

But a tiny inkling kept whispering about this unlikely. Little by little I dipped my toe in the waters of teacherpayteacher.com. Slowly, I started my store (Math Mojo), built up a collection of activities, created products, and developed a following. It took time and work, but it fed me in a way that the other aspects of my life were not. It did not feel like “work”. The sellers worked together in an effort to put this innovative corner of the internet, this beautiful idea by Paul Edelman, on the map. I could barely contain my excitement at being a part of this. I urged friends and colleagues to join me and they too began this unlikely journey, even though it was just as much of an unlikely for them. We developed networks and friendships that have grown to become some of my most treasured relationships and closest friends. We worked together, dreamed, struggled, traveled, learned, laughed, and lifted each other up all because of this unlikely opportunity. It helped us form friendships, took us from one end of the country to the other, and allowed us to do what we love and live life in a way we only dreamed about.

So this year I am going to take the time to hear the whispers, to listen for the unlikelies. In my daily life I am bombarded from all directions. It is easy to get lost in the day to day grind, just trying to keep my head above water. This year, I want to try be present, be intentional, and to take the time to see past the noise and look for the unlikely thing that may take me in a direction I never imagined was possible.

What was your biggest “unlikely” or insurmountable situation turned blessing? I would love to read about it in the comments! Have a wonderful New Year and keep your eyes and hearts open to the unlikely!

In the sprit of the new year and the “unlikely” that blessed our socks off, we are giving away 2 TPT $25 gift cards given to us by the amazing folks at teacherspayteachers.com! All you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter below to win!

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