"PETSTM (Primary Education Thinking Skills) is a systematized enrichment and diagnostic thinking skills program. Lessons are presented in convergent analysis, divergent synthesis, visual/spatial thinking, and evaluation, suitable for grades K-3. The program aligns to the higher levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. PETSTM 1, the red book, introduces the six thinking specialists of Crystal Pond Woods: Dudley the Detective, the convergent/deductive thinker, Isabel the Inventor, the divergent/inventive thinker, Sybil the Scientist, the convergent/analytical thinker, Yolanda the Yarnspinner, the divergent/creative thinker, Max the Magician, the visual/spatial thinker, Jordan the Judge, the evaluative thinker. Included in the 24 lessons are encounters with the animal characters who are engaged in problem-solving scenarios calling for their types of thinking -- four lessons involving each character (two whole class lessons to help identify talented learners with accompanying reproducible activities, and two small group lessons for identified students and accompanying reproducible activities). PETSTM helps build behavioral portfolios for talented learners that support a differentiated approach to their education, integrates flexibly into any existing primary curriculum, and offers opportunities for learners with different strengths to shine"--Amazon.com.

Working with the sound thinking skills children already display as part of their learning, this book takes a practical approach to getting the best out of them.

`The good practice points add depth to the practical nature of this book and clearly set out its intention to provide reflection for teachers to extend their own skills and practice' - Jan Baker, Head Teacher of Orchard Vale Community School 'Thoughtfully written and certainly of value to trainee teachers and those already teaching in school' - National Association for Gifted Children Newsletter Most children already display a range of thinking skills when they communicate with each another and when they talk about their interests (whether those are soap operas or car engines), and this book presents an approach for classroom practice that will encourage teachers to build on the often quite sophisticated thinking skills the children in their class already have. The author highlights points for good pratice, suggests some lesson ideas and builds in opportunities for professional reflection. Advice on the following is included: } classroom organization } approaches to collaborative groupwork } developing children's (and teachers') speaking and listening skills } building on the thinking skills that children of all abilities display } using questioning techniques to promote thinking skills in the classroom } whole-school issues. Each chapter ends with a summary of key points and there is some photocopiable material included. All teachers, teaching assistants and those co-ordinating the learning of gifted and talented pupils will find this book thought-provoking, stimulating and inspiring.

This book presents a practical and universal framework for the teaching of thinking skills and problem-solving across the primary curriculum, using examples of topics from the National Curriculum, classroom techniques, and tried-and-tested activities which systematically develop pupils' thinking and problem-solving skills. While accommodating the need of all learners to develop effective thinking skills, the book also caters to the need to differentiate learning activities to extend the more able learners. Written by a team of teachers who recognize the day-to-day problems that face their colleagues in the classroom, this accessible, jargon-free book will be welcomed by teachers, SENCOs and ABCOs alike.

This exciting, practical book is an essential resource for every busy primary teacher and very easy to use in the classroom. It provides advice, original themed stories, critical learning activities and beautifully illustrated photocopiable resources for helping children to: Develop critical thinking skills Understand reason and knowledge in all the areas of the curriculum Draw on their natural wonder and curiosity, to engage in philosophical discussion. The photocopiable learning activities are differentiated for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, plus there are extension activities for enthusiastic, gifted and talented children. This fun resource will help your students practice generic skills, interdisciplinary skills which necessarily draw on several kinds of knowledge and understanding, and subject centred skills covering all areas of the curriculum in additional to the cross curricular values domains. Philosophy involves particular kinds of critical thinking and is also introduced in this book. Original, beautifully illustrated stories illuminate the abstract material, to make concrete and readily understandable the unfamiliar and complex ideas. Developing critical thinking skills has never been easier.

Help children of all learning styles and strengths improve their critical thinking skills with these creative, cross-curricular activities. Each engaging activity focuses on skills such as recognizing and recalling, evaluating, and analyzing.