Thinkers Keys
The reverse - use words such as cannot, would not or never to consolidate knowledge. E.g. name 10 objects that you would not find in Egypt.
The 'what if' - ask any kind of 'what if' question. E.g. what if we had an extra day in the week?
The BAR - could be used to think more creatively about everyday objects...what would happen if _______ was 'B'igger, 'A'ddition, 'R'emove/replace?
The construction - a problem solving task that requires students to think creatively about using materials. E.g. Construct a method of crossing Wilen Lake using only _________.
Plus, minus, interesting - here students take a scenario or question and consider all the positive, negative and interesting aspects of the theory.
The prediction - students think creatively by projecting and predicting the outcome of events/scenarios. E.g. What will Milton Keynes look like in 2000 years?
The picture - a picture, which bears no obvious or immediate relevance to the area of study, is used to challenge students' thought processes whilst they try to link it to the topic.
The ridiculous - make a ridiculous statement that would be virtually impossible to implement, then get the students to substantiate it. E.g. It should be law that every person should live abroad for a year of their life.
The commonality - select two disimilar objects and ask students to find the 'common' links. E.g. How are the Eiffel Tower and the Pyramids the same?
The question - start with the answer, students come up with the question.
Interpretation - come up with an unusual situation, then students have to create some explanations for how the situation came about. E.g. There are no longer any crocodiles in the Nile. Why?
