ryan's thinker keys are very relevant and thinking can be developed across all curriculum areas to encourage students to be creative and to think alternatively. by doing so, this enhances students' learning and enables them to become more confident learners.
Some examples of how the keys are implemented into different curriculum areas: All curriculum areas: can be used as a free independent/group activity used for early finishers used for formative/summative assessment used to assess students understanding/knowledge of a unit
english: follow up activities used for early finishers rotational reading activities independent/group
keys to be used: pretty much all keys can be applied to some form of English but most effective and specific would be the brainstorming, question, ridiculous keys.
maths: use a variety of the keys to create and use as a pre and post test to assess the students' prior/current knowledge before/after a unit rotational maths activities independent/group. the construction key is suited nicely to maths to ensure a hands on learning experience. science: use the keys to create effective learning activities that are relevant and exciting for the students! these can be based on topics for example, the disadvantage key when thinking about planet earth and beyond: list advantages of our solar system, articulate then list disadvantages of our solar system
social sciences: again, create effective learning activities using the thinkers keys and focus around relevant topics: Tangiwhai disaster - Use for inquiry! many keys would work in this curriculum area, however the what if, alphabet and prediction keys would key in nicely with various topics and pre assessment tasks.
physical education (P.E): used to create lessons/units around specific topics of interest and focused on the concept of the keys for example the use of the variation key:, can we alter the soccer ball? rugby ball? tennis ball? why are they the shapes they are? can we change this?
the arts: similar to physical education, the use of the variation key can provoke exciting new ways of thinking for example: what is an alternative way of painting? can you think of any using the thinkers keys?
technology: based around topics of relevance. thinkers keys can be implemented through many topics by using the prediction key for example: electrical sources. What will the world's electricity source be like in 50 years? what will our cars look like?
EOTC Ryan's thinkers keys can be linked to eotc in the context of getting students to use different keys to think about other aspects to what they are learning. for example, with older students you could use a variety of the thinkers keys to get the students thinking about what could go wrong when they are learning outside of the classroom, this would benefit the students as they would be considering aspects of planning a trip; it would also benefit the teacher when they are filling out the safety action plan.
links to the key competencies ryan's thinkers keys can be linked to all 5 key competencies.
Thinking - when using the thinkers keys, students are required to think in many different ways and are challenged to adpat their prior thinking and knowledge.
Using language, symbols and texts - the thinkers keys have different elements to them which encourage students to express their thoughts in different ways, including using pictures, texts and language.
managing self - the thinkers keys could be used in the context of students thinking about managing themselves. for example they could use the variations key to come up wit different ways to solve a problem that they have.
relating to others - the thinkers keys can be used in a group context, and also could be responded to during a classroom discussion therefore promoting relating to others.
participating and contributing - students need to participate and contribute to completing the thinkers keys in order for them to extend their thinking. the thinkers keys also promote this by having many different avenues of thinking available.