SoWashCo Young Scholars

Happy November!

Young Scholar students have been busy practicing their thinking skills this fall and building on their learning from last year.

As part of the Young Scholar program, students practice four different thinking skills:
Divergent, Convergent, Visual Spatial, and Evaluative.

Everybody's brain uses these ways of thinking every day, and just like any skill, we can improve with practice. Young Scholar lessons and activities are designed to help students pay attention to their thinking, so they can get even better using their amazing brains!

In September, our newsletter focused on Divergent Thinking. This month we'll be taking a look at Convergent Thinking.

• What is Convergent Thinking?

• Fun Ways to Practice Convergent Thinking at Home

Convergent thinking is one of the most recognizable ways that we use our brain. Anytime you use different pieces of information to come up with one best answer, you are thinking convergently.

Deciding the fastest route to take during rush hour or searching out the best prices at the grocery store are ways you might find to use convergent thinking. Kids need convergent thinking all the time at school during activities such as solving math problems or understanding more about the books they are reading. In addition, many logic games ask players to use their convergent thinking skills.

In Young Scholar lessons, we often use analogies to practice convergent thinking skills. Analogies are all about relationships and comparing ideas. Students use important critical thinking and logic skills when creating and solving analogies. Analogies also expand vocabulary and help students seek out interesting connections between words and ideas.

Scroll down for some fun analogy resources and other ways for your Young Scholar to practice their convergent thinking at home!

Click on the image below to access online copies of

previous SoWashCo Young Scholar Parent Newsletters.

Hello!

My name is Colleen Redmond, and I am honored to work as Coordinator for SoWashCo Young Scholars.

I'm a mom, a wife, small business owner, avid biker (the pedal kind), book enthusiast, and beekeeper.

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 SoWashCo to implement and grow the Young Scholars program.

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!

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, thoughts, or needs!

Colleen Redmond

651-425-6212

credmond@sowashco.org