Thinking-based activities

THINKING-BASED ACTIVITIES

Marta Garoz, Cristina López and Gloria Saiz.

INDEX

1. What are thinking-based activities?

2. Activities.

2.1. Vocabulary.

2.2. Where is...?

2.3. What do you prefer?

2.4. Where does it live?

2.5. Puzzle cubes.

2.6. What body parts are missing?

2.7. What comes next?

3. What do they work with each activity?

4. Bibliography.

WHAT ARE THINKING-BASED ACTIVITIES?

The main objective of these activities is to develop:

- Focus attention. - Memory skills. - Categorize. - Sort. - Numeracy. - Shape recognition. - Patterns. - Sequences. - Decision-making. - Imaginative thinking.

(Putcha and Elliott, 2017)

Vocabulary

Teacher shows to pupils animals pictures. At the same time, he/she says its name and its onomatopoeia.

Where is...?

Teacher puts all animals pictures on the floor and pupils have to memorize their place in 30 seconds (if pupils are very young, teacher leaves them more time). Then, teacher turns over pictures and asks to children "Where is...?".

WHAT DO YOU PREFER?

Teacher asks to children questions as what animal do you prefer? Dog or cat? Octopus or fish?

Where dOES IT LIVE?

Teacher shows to pupils three places: house, ocean and savannah.Then, he/she asks them questions as where does lion live?, where does octopus live?. Children have to put animals pictures on their correct place.

puzzle cubes

In groups, pupils do animal puzzle cubes. Teacher says them what animal they do: dog, cat, lion, elephant, fish or octopus.

What body parts are missing?

In groups, teacher gives them one animal drawing with some body parts missing. Then, they draw them and show the drawing to the rest of the class. Teacher asks them what body parts are missing?

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Teacher shows to pupils one sequence. For example:

Then, he/she asks them: what comes next?, how many cats are there?, how many octopus is there?.

WHAT do they work with each activity?

Organize into categories. It helps children to understand the world around them.

1. Vocabulary

2. Where is...?

Focus their attention and develop memory.

3. What do yo prefer?

Decision-making.

4. Where does it live?

Organize into categories.

Focus attention and develop their logical-mathematical thinking.

5. Puzzle cubes

Focus attention and develop their imaginative thinking.

6. What body parts are missing?

7. What comes next?

Sequences and numeracy.

(Putcha and Elliott, 2017)

Bibliography

Puchta, H. and Elliott, K. (2017). Activities for Very Young Learners. Cambridge University Press.