Ryan's Thinker's Keys Booklet

Every morning when the children come into school we set them a Start of the Day Activity.  This SODA helps the children to settle down and gives them a chance to discuss with their friends the day ahead while taking part in a productive activity.  I have compiled a booklet of activities that the teacher can give the children for the SODA activity based on Ryan's 20 Thinker's Keys which you can download and use if you wish.

Thinkers Keys are twenty thinking strategies designed to encourage divergent thinking. Each 'key' encourages students to challenge and develop their thinking and thereby extend their learning. There is a lot more information including some official Tony Ryan books available free from the Headfirst website.  These include cards that you may wish to use also.

Hope that you find this useful.  If you do please let me know how you get on.

EDIT (18/9/06): Finally for those with the Smartbook software Vicki Turner has kindly updated my Thinkers Keys booklet to save on photocopying.  You can download the Smartbook file directly here.

Comments

[Matt]

Some really good ideas there, thanks!

[Mark Warner]

Just come across these for the first time Andrew... thanks very much. I'll be using them with my class over the coming weeks!

[Andrew Ross]

Glad you like it. Let me know how it goes...

[Bonnie]

These keys are a really good idea, they are fantastic for any creative lesson I am having as they get chn in the right mood to be imaginative.

The headfirst website doesn't seem to be working though, any possibility of checkin the link please???

[RossA]

Thanks for the heads up on that Bonnie. I've checked the Headfirst website and they've had a redesign and changed the page names. I've corrected the link now in the post but you can go their directly from this link:

http://www.headfirst.com.au/cms/pages/BM_Menu/Free+Material/!/display.html

Andrew

[M Banton]

Hello,

Don't seem to be able to download the Smart Board file of Thinking Keys. Is it possible for you to email me the file please?

Thank you,

Martyn

[RossA]

Hi,

Make sure that you have the latest version of the Smart Board software on your computer Martyn. I've emailed it to you as well. Hope it works. Any problems let me know.

Andrew

[James Clanchy]

If you visit the Thinkers’ Keys website, you will find that it contains an offensive anti-Muslim “joke” on its Home page.

I understand Mr Ryan is Australian. This sort of “joke” may well be considered hilarious down under but British schoolteachers should know better.

[Andrew Ross]

Hi James,

I very much agree that this is not suitable. However I have no control over pages outside this site. I suggest that you, like I have now done, email Tony Ryan and let him know your feelings on the issue.

Andrew

[southozsue]

being from Aussie....wouldn't say hilarious...but it has been a common email joke....maybe poor taste for a website
(just back from the cricket ...draw against India)

[Rachel Kirkby]

Hi there, I'm trying to download the free Thinkers Keys demo, which I would like to show on a parents open evening but not having any luck! Would you be able to e-mail it to me or possibly send me the free demo CD Rom?
Thank you
Rachel

[RossA]

Hi Rachel,

Please check your email. Hope this is useful.

Andrew

[Wendy]

Thank you for sharing Andrew - I'm really keen to adapt some of these ideas to support teachers to develop geographical thinking.

[Sarah Moody]

Hi

I have used this notebook a couple of years ago and it was so successful in the classroom that I would like to try it again. I am unable to save or open the Smartbook so was wondering if you could send the file to my email address please.
Many thanks
Sarah

[Maxine]

Awesome stuff! Thanks.