Visible Thinking Routine #TPD 48

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the Visible Thinking Routine (VTR), a teaching strategy designed to enhance student understanding and engagement with concepts. VTR allows students to express their ideas, opinions, and feelings, making the learning process more meaningful and insightful. Additionally, it helps teachers assess student comprehension, enabling them to tailor future lessons effectively.

Step 1: Understand the Concept of Visible Thinking Routine

• VTR is an educational approach that encourages students to articulate their thoughts about a specific topic or concept.
• It aims to make abstract ideas tangible, allowing students to engage deeply with the material.
• Familiarize yourself with the various forms of VTR, such as:
  • Think-Pair-Share
  • See-Think-Wonder
  • Claim-Support-Question

Step 2: Implementing VTR in the Classroom

• Choose a topic or concept that you want to explore with your students.
• Introduce VTR to your students by explaining its purpose and how it works.
• Follow these steps to conduct a VTR session:
  1. Pose a Thought-Provoking Question
     • Ask an open-ended question related to the topic.
  2. Give Students Time to Think
     • Allow a few moments for students to reflect individually.
  3. Encourage Pair Discussions
     • Have students discuss their thoughts with a partner to expand on their ideas.
  4. Facilitate a Class Share
     • Invite pairs to share their discussions with the class, capturing different perspectives.

Step 3: Assessing Student Understanding

• Use the insights gained from the VTR process to evaluate how well students grasp the material.
• Take notes on key points shared by students, identifying areas of confusion or strong understanding.
• Consider these assessment techniques:
  • Exit Tickets: Ask students to write their main takeaway from the discussion.
  • Reflection Journals: Have students document their thoughts on the topic over time.

Step 4: Adjusting Future Lessons

• Based on your observations from the VTR session, modify your lesson plans to address gaps in understanding or to dive deeper into topics of interest.
• Incorporate student feedback into your teaching practices to create a more responsive learning environment.

Conclusion

Visible Thinking Routine is an effective strategy to enhance student engagement and understanding in the classroom. By implementing VTR, you can create a dynamic educational experience that not only helps students articulate their thoughts but also provides valuable insights for you as an educator. As a next step, consider experimenting with different VTR techniques in your upcoming lessons to see which resonates most with your students.