The Six Thinking Hats

Duration : 45 mins                                                 

The White Hat. 

I need to look for  some information.

Aim :     To help pupils to focus on the retrieval of information in 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 White Hat:

What information do we have? What information do we need? Where can we get the missing information from?

What is it used for?

The White Hat helps us to gather information?  When using this Hat we ask three basic questions:

1.  What information do we have? (About the topic in question)

2.  What information do we need?

3.  Where can we get the required information from.

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 answer the first question: 

        What information do we have?

4.  Stop students from generating responses for the first question. (after approx. 4 minutes). 

5.  Now direct the pupils to answer the second question: 

      What information do we need?

6.  Stop students from generating responses for the first question. (after approx. 4 minutes). 

7.  Now direct the pupils to answer the third question:

      Where can we get the missing information from?

8.  Stop students from generating responses for the first question. (after approx. 4 minutes). 

9.  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 White Hat?

2.  Do you think that looking for the information only helps you?  Why?

3.. Where and when would you use the White 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