The Good Thinkers ToolkitWays to write an AWESOME paper & win almost anyargument!

Who is the mastermind behind this?Dr. Thomas Jackson (Dr. J) at University of Hawaii-ManoaBegan the spread of P4C

Who does this work for?Anyone! In any subject.Your studentsEven you!Why should I try this?Your students will participate in better discussions.They will understand content on a deeper level.

What will your students produce?(Examples from Night)Why are the Hungarian/German police being polite to the Jews when they are cruel and killing them? Can we assume by Madame Schachters screaming that the other Jews started feeling the same way? Can we infer that Elie does not believe in God anymore?

Sounds good! How do I do it?Im so glad you askedEstablish intellectual safetyReinforce the importance of communityTeach and use the Good Thinkers Toolkit

W=What do you mean byClarifying QuestionsWho, what, when, whereExamplesWhat is the problem?What is going on here?What have I forgotten to ask?What else do I need to know?What does this mean?

R=ReasonsThese questions have more than one answer!Why questionsBecause is a magic word!It means someone is going to give you something! (a reason!)Ask yourself--is it a good reason or not valid (an excuse)

A=AssumptionsOpinion or idea that is not based on good reason or evidenceA conclusion we consciously or unconsciously take for granted as true.Stereotypes!Qq-Questions within a questionExample: Aloha gas, the gas that islanders chooseAsk yourself, do all islanders choose Aloha gas?

I=Inferences/Ifthen/ImplicationsOpinion or idea that is based on evidenceIf _____, then I can infer ______.Example:If real is something that is experienced by one of your 5 senses, then I can infer that knowledge is not real.ImplicationsIf a person wears a ring, he or she is marriedWhat are the implications of this statement?

T=True?Is what is being said true?How can we find out?What are the implications if this is true?What are other possibilities?Example:Fat Free potato chipsIs there really no fat?How can we find out?What will happen if this is true?

E=Examples & EvidenceSpecific things used to prove an argumentNOT but my friend/parent said or but I heardQuote your own writing to self-evaluateAre you using valid examples?Do they really help prove your point or are they fluff?Reminder: Make sure your evidence is specific to what you are trying to prove! (not just something you think sounds cool)

C=CounterexamplesAre there any counter examples to the claim being made?These are examples to DISPROVE an argumentThink ahead:How will someone try to prove your argument is false?How will you prove that they are incorrect?Look at all sides!!!Dont be biased!

The Community BallIdeally done on the first day of classStudents tell about themselves.Used with class discussions.Whoever has the ball, has the floor

Plain VanillaStudent genrerated questionsWrite on the board so they can see easilyVote on what they would most like to discuss as a class.

Heres what it looks like in action!

Special thanks to my Hawaii students!

********