Convergent Thinking for Advanced Learners, Grades 3–5

Description

Convergent Thinking for Advanced Learners, Grades 3–5 will teach students how to approach problems with a critical and evidence-based mindset. Convergent thinking is a skill which helps students arrive at defensible solutions. Working through the lessons and handouts in this book, students will learn strategies and specific academic vocabulary in the sub-skills of observation, using evidence, considering perspectives, reflection, and deduction to find accurate solutions. This curriculum provides cohesive, scaffolded lessons to teach each targeted area of competency, followed by authentic application activities for students to then apply their newly developed skill set. This book can be used as a stand-alone gifted curriculum or as part of an integrated curriculum. Each lesson ties in both reading and metacognitive skills, making it easy for teachers to incorporate into a variety of contexts. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgments Preface Introduction Materials Introduction: Frame of the Discipline Primary Source: Artwork Analysis Thinking Skills Avatar Bibliography Chapter 1 Sub-Skill 1: Observation Observation Lesson 1: Perspectives Matter Observation Lesson 2: Noticing Details Observation Authentic Application Activity: Investigators and Eyewitnesses Observation Concluding Activities Bibliography Chapter 2 Sub-Skill 2: Using Evidence Using Evidence Lesson 1: Finding Evidence to Support Claims Using Evidence Lesson 2: Verifying Claims with Evidence Using Evidence Authentic Application Activity: Validating Solutions with Evidence Using Evidence Concluding Activities Bibliography Chapter 3 Sub-Skill 3: Inferencing Inferencing Lesson 1: Using Observations to Infer Inferencing Lesson 2: Missing Information Inferencing Authentic Application Activity: Shipwreck Scenario Inferencing Concluding Activities Bibliography Chapter 4 Sub-Skill 4: Deduction Deduction Lesson 1: Using Clues to Confirm Deduction Lesson 2: Using Clues to Eliminate Deduction Authentic Application Activity: Get a Clue! Deduction Concluding Activities Bibliography Chapter 5 Sub-Skill 5: Reflection Reflection Lesson 1: Reflecting on Experiences Reflection Lesson 2: Reflecting to Gain Perspectives Reflection Authentic Application Activity: Choose Your Path Story Reflection Concluding Activities Bibliography Appendix A: Assessments Appendix B: Extensions