"We learn more by looking for the answer to a

question and not finding it than we do from

learning the answer itself."
(Lloyd Alexander)

There are 20 different ‘Thinking Keys’ each

designed to unlock different parts of the
thinking process. Use of the keys helps to develop
flexible problem solving and thinking habits

Inventions - Brick wall - Construction - Different Use

Forced relationship - Interpretation - Brainstorming
Commonality - Alternative - Questioning - Ridiculous
Picture - Prediction - Reverse - What if? - Disadvantage
Combination - Bar - Alphabet - Variations

www.tonyryan.com.au
www.kurwongbss.qld.edu.au/thinking/thinking.htm
 • To find a manageable way to use ‘thinking keys’ in our weekly programme.
• To create a format that can be applied to different topics/themes/inquiries
• To use the thinking keys to enable further exploration by students as they
become more flexible with the use of a variety of thinking skills
• To use thinking keys for ongoing assessment during a unit

• First we created a range of thinking keys by:

• Creating a range of different thinking key questions
• Typing these questions onto a key template
• Printing the keys off on colour paper
• Laminating all the keys
• Cutting the keys out
• Displaying the keys in the class

• Very ‘nice’ looking thinking keys

• A large amount of time being used for the making of the keys
• Large resource needs

• How can we reduce the time needed to make the keys?

• How can we ensure a more reasonable use of classroom resources?
• How can we achieve a mix of teaching how to use specific keys (where every
student needs a copy) and a free choice approach?

• The internet provided a wide range of different options for the use of thinking
keys in the classroom
• In particular these web sites were great!

“I liked the alphabet key the best because it really

got me thinking about the subject.” Student A
 • Early finisher’s choice of keys
• Whole class teaching on the use of specific keys
• Thinking keys as a follow up reading activity - children’s free choice or teacher
directed
• Creating a work sheet template for the manageable use of time and resources
which also enables all children to have immediate access to each key activity
• At the Kath Murdoch seminar we developed our understanding of using the
thinking keys to assess where kids are at during a unit

• Using the question key to assess students growing understanding of topical

work
• E.g. ‘Tell me a question, where the answer would be Jupiter’.
• We found that this was a quick and easy way to gauge students understanding
and plan the next step.

• The thinking keys provide a flexible and dynamic way to engage students in
further learning
• They are a great way to do informal assessment during the unit for measuring
student understanding
• The students really enjoy the range of activities that the keys enable them to
choose from and subsequently produce interesting and thoughtful work

• Continue to develop a range of thinking key activities for different areas of the
classroom day based on the model that we have developed
• Change and develop our model as we learn ways of enhancing it
• Further develop the use of thinking keys as a tool for informal assessment

“ It tested our knowledge to see how much we know.”

Student B
 Put your ‘Thinking Caps’ on and complete as many of these thinking keys as you can. You will
write the answers in your Reading book, making sure you have an underlined title for each
thinking key you are about to answer.

The Reverse Key

Name 10 things that are not in space
The What If Key
What if you were offered to go on the next space mission with NASA?
The Combination Key
Your mission is to combine the features of an alien and a sheep to create a new species. Do a
drawing of this new species and list its important features
The Alphabet Key
Make a list of things about space from A – Z
The Variations Key
Create an information web of all the different ways you can think of that we can find out
information about outer space
The Prediction Key
Write a paragraph about what space travel will be like in 50 years.
The Ridiculous Key
Write your ideas for how to make this idea possible
A holiday resort is opened on the moon
The Question Key
Write Questions that can only be answered with these words
Jupiter, Mars, Earth, Sun, Moon, Venus, Pluto, Saturn, Uranus
The Inventions Key
We learn a lot of important information through space exploration and technologies that help
us to learn about space. Create and design a new way that we can explore and find out more
about space. Remember to label all its special features.
The Commonality Key
What do our class members and astronauts have in common?
The Alternative Key
Work out 3 ways you could make a model of our solar system without using paper or cardboard.
You could draw a diagram to show what you did.
The Ridiculous Key
Brainstorm all your ideas about how we could make this statement happen.
‘All people need to go exploring space for one year when they turn 18’.
The Disadvantages Key
List all the disadvantages of space exploration. Now work through your list and brainstorm
ways which you could correct the disadvantages.
The Variations Key
Brainstorm how many ways you can find out about space.
 With your ‘Thinking Caps’ on your mission is to complete as many of these thinking
keys as you can. The Answers will be in your theme book and will be thoughtful and
tidy.

The Reverse Key

Name 10 Species in New Zealand that are not endangered
The What If Key
What if there were no introduced predators in New Zealand?
The Combination Key
Your mission is to combine the features of an introduced species and a native
specie to create a new animal. Do a drawing of the new animal and list its
important features
The Alphabet Key
Make a list of things about endangered species from A – Z
The Variations Key
Create an information web of all the different ways you can think of that we
could
Save New Zealand’s Endangered Species
The Prediction Key
Write a paragraph about what New Zealand will be like in 50 years if we look
after and protect our Endangered species
The Ridiculous Key
Write your ideas for how to make this idea possible
Cats are only allowed out of the house if they are on a lead
The Question Key
Write Questions that can only be answered with these words
Habitat. Forest. Kakapo. Native Species. New Zealand. Predator. Kiwi.
The Inventions Key
Introduced predators are a really big problem for New Zealands birds. Create
and design a red alert system for the birds so they know when a predator is
coming. Remember to label all its special features.
The Interpretation Key
There is a new law in New Zealand that you have to promote. You need to design
a poster and explain why it is important.
The Law: Only Native species are to be kept as pets in New Zealand.

Action Research carried out by Sandra Keenan and Kirstin Flockton