” The thinking competency encompasses the knowledge, skills and processes we associate with intellectual development. It is through their competency as thinkers that students take subject-specific concepts and content and transform them into a new understanding. Thinking competence includes specific thinking skills as well as habits of mind, and metacognitive awareness.”
Ministry of Education (2017)
During my Language Arts unit, students were given a number of assignments that covered the three steps of the Creative Thinking Competency of novelty and value, generating and developing ideas.
The Superhero Story
After reading a number of books on superheroes, students were asked to brainstorm what makes a good superhero. Students discussed in pairs and shared their ideas with the class. They were encouraged to give creative and original examples and to discuss important features of superhero stories such as costume, superpower, and villain. Students later wrote their rough drafts and drew illustrations which they shared with their peers. Finally, students wrote good drafts, revising and improving on their initial ideas.
The Sensory Poem
After teaching figurative language, students were taken on a nature walk where they were instructed to pay attention to their five senses. Students worked in pairs, recording their observations onto sheets and exploring the school’s courtyard area. Students were later brought in the class and took part in a discussion about what senses they experienced. Students then wrote a sensory poem based on their experience and drew an illustration to accompany their poem.
Upon reflection….
I noticed that the students were particularly interested in the slugs outside and this was reflected in many of their poems. It was also a point of interest for many of the students throughout my practicum. Based on this observation, I think it would have been an excellent opportunity to use inquiry in the classroom to help further critical and creative thinking. A snail project could have many opportunities for cross-curricular activities as well such as creating art, learning about life cycles, and even writing stories about snails. As a future teacher, I hope to use moments like these to spark students’ curiosity and launch an inquiry project they could complete.