About Thinking Moves
The Thinking Moves story
Roger Sutcliffe had been focussed on teaching thinking in one way or another for 40+ years – as an English teacher, then a Maths teacher, then a Philosophy for Children trainer, and for some years as a consultant for Thinking Schools International.
In the last role he became increasingly frustrated with the various “thinking skills” approaches that were being advocated and activated. They varied between the over-elaborate and the gimmicky, and there was very little coherence between them. Worse, not one of them was a complete system - not even Bloom’s famous taxonomy, which fails to include fundamental skills such as questioning, quantifying and justifying.
So, he set about creating a scheme that was simple and memorable, practical and complete – one that could be used by teachers to teach thinking more systematically and effectively, but also by learners to manage their thinking and, thereby, manage their own learning and lives better.
After eight years of reiterations, reflections and new resolutions, he finally published the Thinking Moves A – Z in 2019. Despite the almost immediate constraints of Covid, the scheme has been gratefully taken up by teachers from Early Years to 6th form, and has already been translated into several languages, including Chinese and Arabic.
Why use Thinking Moves?
“Stunningly simple, yet remarkably rich.”
Thinking Moves A-Z is the easiest way to embed metacognition in all subjects, at every level.
It’s a framework for focussing on the thinking that is being done - or should be done – in class, but also in everyday life.
Even young children can learn and use it to manage their thinking - and their behaviour – more effectively.
It has this extraordinary capacity because it uses common vocabulary to present the 26 acts that are fundamental to human thought, in a sort of ‘periodic table’.
All of the thinking processes listed in Bloom’s taxonomy are encompassed within the simpler scheme of Thinking Moves A – Z.
But the A – Z goes well beyond Bloom’s taxonomy, because it also includes important Moves that the taxonomy omits. These are, in order: JUSTIFY, KEYWORD, MAINTAIN, NEGATE, QUESTION, RESPOND, SIZE, VARY, YIELD and ZOOM OUT.
Easy to understand, remember and apply. The most comprehensive scheme possible. Why use any other?
“A unique approach to inspiring children & young people to question, reflect & think deeply."
Packed full of practical engaging resources for any classroom or group setting this book builds capacity for criticality”
Professor Dame Alison Peacock
Chief Executive, Chartered College of Teaching