Getting kids to think...

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Getting kids to think...
By Mary in MA

I've taught both 4th and 6th graders and, I agree that getting students to move beyond the most obvious, jump-out-and-bite-you-in-the-tush-answers can be a real challenge. Unfortunately, many kids today are so unwilling
to stretch their brains to go to deeper levels because they are all too used to having everything they know handed to them on a silver platter because of ready access to TV, computers, etc. If the answers are all there in a neat little package at the push of a button, why bother burning brain cells?? (How many of you have had students moan over spelling lessons on the basis that SpellCheck

on the computer does all the work for them?)

Okay, you've obviously hit a raw nerve with me so that was my rant for the day. Now, how to resolve it. First of all, don't accept the simplistic answers. Ask questions that can't be answered with a yes or no, or a right-off-the-page response. Model your thinking and reasoning about different possible answers and challenge them to come up with as many alternate responses as possible along with the supporting information. Secondly, give them as many opportunities as possible to practice problem-solving real-life situations for which they must develop criteria to evaluate the solutions. This is a terrific cooperative learning activity and, once you have established with them how to do this, you will be amazed at how creative they can be. The trick to its success, however, is to emphasize that everyone must participate in suggesting possible solutions, no put-downs are allowed even if the solutions seem outlandish or weird, encourage each student to piggy-back ideas onto something another group member has come up with, and draw upon any possible knowledge they may have that would relate in some way to the problem at hand.

At this early time of the year, students are often still set at "Summertime" mode and need the extra nudge to shake the cobwebs out. Don't let yourself get frustrated with the glazed looks in their eyes. Just keep plugging away at it stick to your guns. They will come around. Good luck.