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• Team ThinkUp!

  • How Can Team ThinkUp! Make a Difference in Your Classroom?

    Team ThinkUp! introduces the 9 Traits of Critical Thinking through the lenses of grade-appropriate ELA, Math, and Science content in a colorful, comic-book approach. Ideas for cross-curricular activities support teachers as they extend the 9 traits beyond the Student Activity Book and into the core curriculum.

  • Quick Start Guide to Team ThinkUp!

    To begin:

    1. Create awareness about the traits by placing the poster in a prominent position on the classroom wall.
    2. Provide each student with a Student Activity Book.
    3. Ask students to write their name in the “This book belongs to:” space on the back of the Student Activity Book.
    4. Invite students to complete the inside front cover activity, What Does Thinking Mean to You?
    5. Encourage students to share answers with partners, small groups, or the class.
    6. Introduce Team ThinkUp! by utilizing the Introductory Activity in the Teacher Guide.
    7. Allow students to examine the front and back cover of the Team ThinkUp! Student Activity Book and have students familiarize themselves with the nine traits and the corresponding icons.

    During ongoing use:

    1. Choose any trait to begin Team ThinkUp! and allot approximately 15 minutes per activity.
    2. Continue utilizing Team ThinkUp! activities until all nine traits have been presented.
    3. Extend trait development throughout the school year by using the Strengthening the Trait, Revisit the Trait, and Across the Curriculum components in the Teacher Guide.

    Once all activities in the student book are complete:

    1. Complete the Team ThinkUp! Concluding Activity with students.
    2. Invite students to complete the inside back cover activity, What Does Thinking Mean to You?
    3. Encourage students to compare answers before and after Team ThinkUp!.
    4. Answer the following question as a class, How has thinking changed as a result of studying the 9 Traits of Critical Thinking™ ?
    5. Place Student Activity Books in student portfolios as evidence of growth in thinking for the school year.

    If you’d like to download this as a PDF, click here.

  • Ways to Implement Team ThinkUp!

    • Integrate the 9 Traits of Critical Thinking™ into the instruction of any standard, using any order or combination of traits.
    • Implement the target trait unit and its components using a flexible delivery method.
    • Present the target trait as a vocabulary term by using the Introductory Activity suggestions.
    • Inform students they will learn about nine different traits. Feel free to add ideas to explore and develop characteristics of the target trait.
    • Introduce the target trait for each unit. The Teacher Guide features the trait statement, the actions students exhibit when applying the trait, and questioning prompts and strategies to facilitate trait development throughout the year.
    • Use the Before Reading and After Reading ideas to actively engage students in the text.
    • Introduce Explore the Trait (after reading the text) to promote comprehension and probe for deeper understanding about the trait represented. Pose additional prompts based on student responses.
    • Use the Apply the Trait: ELA component to build and extend oral language, listening, reading, and/or writing skills.
    • Implement the Apply the Trait: Science component to facilitate thinking as students form predictions, support reasoning, and make decisions while discovering science content.
    • Utilize the Apply the Trait: Math component to examine and discuss connections through mathematics as part of the learning experience.
    • Implement the Check My Thinking and Self-Assessment component to encourage students to apply the trait in new and different situations, while determining their competency in exhibiting the trait.
    • Use the Concluding Activity suggestions to promote, develop, and enhance thinking and understanding of the nine traits. The activity brings closure to the Student Activity Book.
    • Use your creativity to plan reinforcement opportunities or utilize suggestions provided in Strengthen the Trait, Revisit the Trait, and Across the Curriculum components, remembering to build a common thinking language that is reinforced daily.
    • Create awareness about the traits by placing the poster in a prominent position on the classroom wall.
    • Elaborate upon the language stated on the trait poster, when necessary, to develop meaning and understanding for all students.

    If you’d like to download this as a PDF, click here.

  • Spanish Team ThinkUp! Answer Keys

    • Level 1
    • Level 2
    • Level 3
    • Level 4
    • Level 5