Good Practice Database >> Critical Thinking - Graphical Organisers

LA	Caerphilly	School Name	Penllwyn Primary School

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What was the focus for improvement?
How effective graphic organisers are in developing pupils critical thinking and collaborative working skills.

What did we do?
• A series of lessons and activities were planned to introduce pupils to a variety of visual tools to enhance thinking skills
• Opportunities were provided for mixed group work to generate and extend ideas: to sort and classify information; to compare and contrast thoughts and to analyse outcomes
• Pupils were encouraged to give reasons for their opinions, make deductions and to make judgements
• During group work pupils were given specific roles such as researchers, scribe, reporter and timekeeper

What were the outcomes?
This Caerphilly Learning Forum project has been very beneficial to both staff and pupils. Pupils have successfully learned to use a range of visual tools to aid thinking skills, oral skills and writing.

Through the use of Venn diagrams and spidergrams pupils have been able to process information, sort and classify ideas, compare and contrast elements, analyse findings, give reasons for ideas, make judgements, refine and generate ideas, raise questions, raise arguments and debate issues.

Small group work is in its early stages of development with this class but has been useful as an activity to encourage role taking, focused thinking, sharing of ideas and the presentation and feedback of ideas.

What evidence have we collected to demonstrate improvements?
Varied according to the different year groups. See attached files for evidence from Years 2, 3 and 4.

What have we learnt about teaching practice and pupils learning?
Graphic organisers can be used effectively to develop a range of pupil skills.

What we aim to do next
Further work is planned with a view to reducing noise levels and to closely monitor the groups through the use of formal checklists to highlight pupils’ weaknesses and strengths.

Supporting Documentation
1. Case Study
Full Case Study, details of activities carried out and examples of pupils’ work.
 

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