21 Visual Thinking Tools for the Classroom: Developing Real-World Problem Solvers in Grades 5-10

This resource is for any busy teacher looking to enrich their lesson planning and support the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and metacognition skills. Designed for use in Grades 5–10, each of these 21 tools is paired with a real-world issue or ethical dilemma to guide students through complex social, emotional, and intellectual topics and can even be used within your existing lessons.

Every chapter introduces a different visual thinking tool and a step-by-step approach for a range of topics from challenging bias and promoting self-awareness to reflecting on social interactions. Stories from the classroom and world, a range of ethical issues, and student and educator examples illustrate how the tools can be used.

Ideal for in-service teachers in Grades 5–10 across content areas regardless of curriculums, these tools will inspire your students to be open-minded and actively engage in classroom discussions while developing new and different perspectives about themselves, your lessons and the world around them.

The 21 Harbord & Khan Thinking Tools © featured in the book are available to download for classroom use at www.routledge.com/9781032662923.

Meredith J. Harbord is an adjunct professor for the International Graduate Programs for Educators SUNY, Buffalo State University and Core 21 Education Services US, teaching courses in holistic curriculum, the reflective teacher, design thinking, maker spaces and game-based learning together with ethical leadership and navigating gender in a global world. She also teaches middle and high school. Meredith is the co-founder of Harbord & Khan Educational Consultants.

Sara Riaz Khan is an educator and visual artist who has taught middle years program art and design. She has been a school artist-in-residence and exhibited internationally since 2004. Sara has developed community art projects as well as supported hospital outreach, disaster relief, and literacy initiatives. Sara is the co-founder of Harbord & Khan Educational Consultants.