NYA Newsletter

The fundamentals of Critical Thinking are a set of cognitive processes. You might ask, “What are cognitive processes?” Cognitive processes are the types of higher level thinking we do to make meaning. Often, we do them naturally without realizing or naming what we are doing!

Let’s explore how these types of critical thinking processes are applied to reading. It is natural that we think as we read, but when we are able to name our higher-level thinking with a common language and shared understandings, we are empowered to become intentional about developing and exercising our thinking skills as a habit of mind.

There are ten types of cognitive processes that New York Academy refers to as the ABCs of Critical Thinking. We use them to understand complex situations, generate solutions to problems, and nurture new insight.

These cognitive processes become even more powerful when we reflect upon how we have used them, aiming to self-evaluate and improve our cognitive processes. We refer to this as meta-cognition (thinking about thinking).

Meta-cognition involves three types of knowledge:

• knowledge of cognitive process
  
• knowledge of strategies (which cognitive process apply to which problem)
• knowledge of self
  

At New York Academy, we model and exercise one to two types of cognitive processes with almost every lesson across all grade levels and subjects. In time, our students know, understand, and apply these critical thinking skills as a habit of mind; they do it as simply as saying ABC.

The Ten Types of Cognitive Processes are:

1. Connect Background Knowledge
Make connections to what is being read with prior knowledge and personal experiences.

2. Generate Questions
Ask open-ended questions to propel reading forward. Ask why a character behaves or feels a certain way. Ask, “What are the implications of specific events or choices?”

3. Visualize
Form mental sensory and emotional images to make meaning and deepen understanding. Read, think, and create movies in the mind.

4. Infer
Think about what is implied. Read between the lines and put two and two together. Make predictions and come to conclusions supported by evidence.

5. Gain Perspective and Empathy
See through the eyes of the character (perspective) and feel the character’semotions (empathy). Walk in the shoes of the character.

6. Compare and Contrast
Identify and think about similarities and differences between people, places, objects, and events – within the text and between the text and the real world.

7. Identify Cause and Effect
Determine why an event happened and the impact it has on a characteror situation. Think, “because this happened, that happened.”

8. Analyze and Synthesize
Understand by taking apart the constitution or structure of a person, place, object, or event (analyze). Understand by putting knowledge and ideas togetherto solve problems and create solutions (synthesize).

9. Determine Importance
Decide what ideas and details matter most to make meaning, to make decisions, and to solve problems.

10. Monitor Comprehension
Recognize when understanding breaks down. Ask questions and reread to make meaning and clarify understanding."

An example of what this might look like in the classroom for a reading lesson is
when the teacher reads a passage from a book and then pauses to think aloud and make their thinking visible:

“Hmmm. I think I know why Max is struggling. Something is happening at home. I make this inference because he is most angry when he arrives to school every morning. But this inference has me generating a question, “What is it that is happening at home to make him so angry?” Students, what do you think?”

Be a lifelong learner. Think about and practice your critical thinking skills –Ten Types of Cognitive Processes.

On Saturday, September 8, NYA Teachers will engage in a professional development workshop to produce Units of Study for all subject areas. These Units of Study include:

• Overview
  
• Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions
  
• Learning Points
  
• Formative and Summative Assessments
  
• Engaged Learning Activities
  
• Instructional Resources
  
• Pacing Guides
  

These road maps for learning empower our teachers to be explicit and intentional with high academic expectations for learning.

Just a quick note to let you know that we are moving forward with NYA Bus Transportation Service. We are up to 16 students who have expressed interest. Again, if you are interested, please let us know right away; please contact Ms. Shahana.

The routes are being planned. We will communicate them to you in the next week.

The final order is being placed today. We have now confirmed the accurate sizes and fit.

Delivery will be in one to two weeks.

Please support your child's educational success by having them to school on time.

Lessons start right at 9AM, so please have your child to school no later than 8:50.

Anticipate and plan accordingly for traffic.

And, again, please be sure your child attends school unless sick.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Brian

• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 GANESH CHATURTHI CELEBRATION AT NYA
  
• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 GANESH CHATURTHI HOLIDAY - NO SCHOOL
• FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, NYA ALL SCHOOL ASSEMBLY / 9:15AM
• MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, GANDHI JAYANTHI CELEBRATION AT NYA
• TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, GANDHI JAYANTHI HOLIDAY - NO SCHOOL