Hello Families,
Students in grades 1-3, who are identified using multiple measures, have been participating in Tier 3 (pull-out) GATEWAY instruction. Each Tier 3 rotation consists of 7 weeks. Through exploration of the Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS) program students have been learning about convergent, divergent, visual, and evaluative thinking. A few of our thinking skills lessons are:
Convergent Thinking - One characteristic of students who excel at convergent thinking is the ability to arrive at the one correct answer intuitively. Through collaboration third grade students solve logic elimination grids.
Evaluative Thinking - Decisions are based on valid, factual, observable or measurable criteria rather than opinions. Second grade students use this thinking skill to decide on a fictional school improvement plan.
Visual Thinking - Students enjoy activities involving visual/spatial problem solving with shapes and may respond well to visual images such as graphic organizers or solving jigsaw puzzles. Through the manipulation of symmetrical shapes, first grade students were able to complete a “mirror domino” challenge.
Logic elimination puzzles are an example of convergent thinking puzzles. Feel free to print these puzzles and try them at home with your child. Sudoku Puzzle 1 Superheroes Logic Elimination
Sincerely, Alexa Wilson & Ellen Zontini
Our brains love the GATEWAY workouts!
