Visible Thinking Routines

Introduction to visible thinking (5 minutes):

Explain that thinking routines help make our thinking visible and organized

Introduce the See-Think-Wonder routine and its purpose

Model the process with a sample image unrelated to the lesson topic

Individual See-Think-Wonder with first photograph (10 minutes):

Display Dorothea Lange's 'Migrant Mother' photograph

Students complete their graphic organizers:

I See: Record only objective observations (e.g., 'A woman with two children')

I Think: Make interpretations based on observations (e.g., 'She seems worried')

I Wonder: Generate questions about the image (e.g., 'Where is the father?')

Emphasize the difference between observations and interpretations

Small group sharing (5-7 minutes):

In groups of 3-4, students share their responses

Listen for similarities and differences in thinking

Add new ideas to their own organizers

Whole-class discussion of first image (5 minutes):

Create a class See-Think-Wonder chart for the photograph

Discuss how different people notice different aspects

Share brief historical context about the photograph

Rotation through additional photographs (20-25 minutes):

Set up 4-5 stations with different Depression-era photographs

Students rotate through stations in small groups

At each station, place sticky notes with:

Yellow: 'I See' observations

Blue: 'I Think' interpretations

Pink: 'I Wonder' questions

Rotate every 4-5 minutes

Pattern recognition (7-8 minutes):

Groups review all photographs and sticky notes

Identify patterns or themes across the images

Discuss what these photographs collectively reveal about the Great Depression

Connect to historical context: Provide brief background information about the Great Depression and discuss how these images shaped public perception.

Reflection: Complete 'I used to think... Now I think...' exit tickets about the Great Depression.