Good Practice Database >> Critical Thinking - Our Community

LA	Caerphilly	School Name	Markham Primary School

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What was the focus for improvement?
• Improving collaborative working skills
• Developing knowledge and understanding of the local area

What did we do?
• Pupils participated in small groups to complete a locality questionnaire
• Whole class activity discussion & mind mapping exercise to develop ideas relating to the topic
• Individual mind map exercise to develop ideas
• Pupils participated in small groups to interview residents (given roles to play)
• Wrote letters to outside agencies
• Created a local environment poster for display

What were the outcomes?
Pupils were able, as a result of mind mapping activities, to:
• Develop a better understanding of their environment
• Sort and classify different ideas and information
• Give reasons for opinions and actions
• Ask relevant questions and draw conclusions
• Generate and extend ideas
• Evaluate information
• Write letters and create posters, which clearly expressed their findings

Pupils were able, as a result of group work, to:
• Carry out their role within a team
• Listen to and respect different points of view
• Develop confidence in their ability to adapt what they say to their listeners

What evidence have we collected to demonstrate improvements?
• Completed questionnaires
• Written letters to external agencies
• Poster for local community

What have we learnt about teaching practice and pupils learning?
The effective organisation of individual roles within groups is essential to develop collaborative working skills.

What we aim to do next
Implement this approach with pupils in other year groups.

Supporting Documentation
1. Markham Case Study
Full school report and examples of work
 

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