Introduction to Integrative Thinking Year 2

We are heading into year 2 of Integrative Thinking and our work with the Rotman I-Think initiative. Last year was very experimental and only 1 class got to experience the tools and challenges of Integrative Thinking. A full-day workshop for middle school teachers near the end of the year left the staff not only wanting to learn more, but also wanting to implement this approach to thinking and problem solving on a broader scale. We have decided to make teaching Integrative Thinking  a priority for all grade 7 and 8 students. Since Language teachers have the greatest flexibility when it comes to curriculum and schedules, Integrative Thinking will be taught during Language classes. Our goal now is to introduce the tools and strategies to all students while ensuring that those who experienced Integrative Thinking last year, remain challenged.

Today, we brought all 7s and 8s together in the gym for the introductory session.

The first part of the presentation focused on the why. Why are we bothering to do this. Below are a few of the slides.

Next, we introduced Mental Models, a foundation concept for Integrative Thinking which I've blogged about previously.

Tomorrow, Nogah from Rotman will be at our school to interview some of our grade 7 students at the start of the year, before they've begun to experience Integrative Thinking. She will conduct interviews at the end of the year to see what, if any transformations have occurred.