The Six Thinking Hats

Duration : 45 mins                                                 

What are the possible risks?

The Black Hat.

Aim :     To help pupils  focus on the possible difficulties that may arise from any given situation.  

For the explanation of the Six Thinking Hats,  we will use the same basic example so that we can identify the use of each hat.

Situation:    A friend of yours asked you to go on a holiday with his/her family.

Explanation of the Black Hat:

What can go wrong? What don't we like about an idea? What are the possible difficulties/problems?

The Black Hat helps us to identify the possible problems that we can have when planning or organising something.  We can also use the Black Hat to evaluate a situation.

This hat is easily worn by everyone.  However, we must make sure not to overuse it.

Activity:

A friend of yours asked you to go on a holiday with his/her family.  Use the White Hat to gather all the information possible.

Procedure.

1.  Group pupils in small groups of 4.  Chose a group secretary and a spokesperson for every group.

2.  Give out the situation.

3.  Allow a few minutes for the pupils to generate responses. 

4.  Stop students from generating responses.  (after approx. 5-7 minutes). 

5.  Pupils now share the outcome of their groups.

N.B. As this is the first time for the pupils, the teacher could do this as a class activity on the board.  It will be much easier for the pupils to grasp the concept.  They will then be able to do it on their own.

Processing:

Teacher asks the pupils the following questions to stimulate metacognitive talk. 

1.  How did you feel when using the Black Hat?

2.  How do you think that looking for the negative points only  can help you?

3.. Where and when would you use the Black Hat?

Practice item 2.  Let's organise a party! (10 minutes)

Pupils work in small groups.

Processing:

Pupils now share the outcome of their thoughts 

Materials needed:

Loose sheets of paper (Unless they have the Thinking Diary already in hand)

Flipchart paper and markers if there is no board in the room being used for the sessions.

Portable reverse timer

Hat