Materials
Gather these before class.
- Colored paper hats or hat cards in six colors
- Six Thinking Hats reference chart
- Discussion recording sheet
- Topic background information
Ready-to-use classroom activity
Six Thinking Hats
Groups examine a topic from six perspectives represented by colored hats: facts, emotions, caution, benefits, creativity, and process management.
Grade range
5th Grade – 12th Grade
Works across
ScienceEnglishHistory
Activity style
CollaborativeDiscussionAnalytical
Classroom walkthrough
See it in practice
One concrete example you can borrow, adapt, or teach as written.
Example lesson context
Analyzing a Policy Decision (History/Science - 8th Grade)
Preparation
What to have ready before students begin.
Create or purchase colored hats/cards for each color. Make reference chart explaining each hat. Select a complex topic with multiple valid perspectives. Plan timing for each hat.
Run the activity
A classroom-ready sequence from launch to follow-up.
1
Introduce Six Thinking Hats (Edward de Bono): A way to examine issues from multiple perspectives.
2
Explain each hat:
White Hat
Facts only. What do we know? What data exists?
Red Hat
Emotions. How do you feel? Gut reactions? (No justification needed)
Black Hat
Caution. What could go wrong? Risks? Problems?
Yellow Hat
Benefits. What's good about this? Opportunities?
Green Hat
Creativity. New ideas? Alternatives? What if?
Blue Hat
Process. Are we on track? What's next? Summary?
3
Topic: 'Our city is considering banning single-use plastics.'
4
Everyone wears the same hat at the same time. Start with White (facts).
5
White Hat (3 min): Only share facts - no opinions. 'Plastic takes 500 years to decompose.'
6
Red Hat (2 min): Share feelings. 'I feel frustrated about pollution.'
7
Continue through each hat, blue hat periodically checking process.
8
Yellow and Black together (5 min): List benefits, then concerns.
9
Green Hat (5 min): Creative alternatives and new ideas.
10
Blue Hat conclusion: What did we learn by examining this from all angles?
Differentiate
Adjust the activity without losing its core purpose.
Assign specific hats to students who struggle with perspective-taking. Provide starter sentences for each hat. For advanced students, have them lead the blue hat process management.
Look for learning
Use these signals to assess understanding.
Evaluate thoroughness of each perspective. Note if students can genuinely adopt unfamiliar viewpoints. Check that process hat keeps discussion productive. Use recorded notes for understanding.