
833 Young Scholars
Nurturing Potential, Sustaining Support
December 2018
Ready or not, winter is here!
This month in Young Scholars we've been busy practicing our
Evaluative Thinking skills.
Thinking evaluatively is about understanding the problem, brainstorming solutions, developing criteria (or the reasons why we make the choices we do), and then making the best choice for you.
For example, one problem we discussed this month was why people choose the types of foods they do. Below are some of the criteria that students came up with in class:
Problem: Why do people choose the foods they do?
Possible Criteria:
- What tastes good to them
- What looks good/smells good
- Food allergies
- Healthy or unhealthy choices
- Wanting to try something new
Keep the conversation going at home to add to our list, or ask your Young Scholar to come up with some new problems of their own!
Young Scholars works with students, families and schools to increase...
This Month in Young Scholars
Evaluative Thinking Conversation Starters
Your Young Scholar is faced with choices every day - both big and small.
Evaluative Thinking skills can help prepare them to better identify problems, think carefully through choices, understand criteria, and make the best choices for them.
Reading and discussing books and stories is a great way to help your Young Scholar practice their Evaluative Thinking skills. This month, I've included questions that can help your Young Scholar pay closer attention to the choices involved in the books they read.
Try out some of the questions below with the books your Young Scholar is reading!
Evaluative Thinking
Questions that Encourage Evaluative Thinking
Even More Questions that Encourage Evaluative Thinking
Here are even more questions to encourage your Young Scholar's Evaluative Thinking skills!
Check It Out!
Information, Resources and Opportunities for Your Young Scholar
December Resources
Below are a few fun examples that work well for Evaluative Thinking, but you'll also find that just a regular deck and a favorite card game
works, too!
The card game BLINK is an easy-to-learn matching game that works well with a variety of ages. To help build Evaluative Thinking skills, add in the rule that players need to say why they are choosing each of their matches.
If your Young Scholar likes BLINK, they'll love the game, BOLD.
BOLD takes matching to a new level involving memory, strategy, and a little luck. Scroll down on the website to play the online version.
Maybe numbers are your Young Scholar's thing! In the game, Low Down, players plan out their strategy to replace high scoring cards with low scoring cards in order to win. This also has an online version.
Here's a card game that uses a quick eye and smart fashion sense to make matches!
In Snappy Dressers, players develop criteria and work to match their cards faster than their partner. The deck includes 51 cards and instructions for 10 different games.
Check out the online version by scrolling down on the Snappy Dressers website.
About Me
Hi All!
My name is Colleen Redmond, and I am thrilled to work as the 833 Young Scholars advocate and lead teacher.
I'm a mom of two teenagers, a wife, small business owner, avid biker (the pedal kind), book enthusiast, and beekeeper. Plus, on top of all of that, I have the happy job of implementing and growing the Young Scholars program here in 833!
I've been lucky enough to teach in South Washington County Schools for over twenty-five years and have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the lives of so many students and families over the years.
Now, as part of Young Scholars, I have the honor of working with the amazing staff, students, and families throughout 833. I am so very excited to work with and support you and your Young Scholar. I can't wait to see where the journey takes us!
Contact Information
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, thoughts, or needs!
Colleen Redmond
651-425-6212