About Central Woodlands

Central Woodlands students and staff forming a peace sign

We think. We design. We create. We reflect.
We are #CWthinkers

Welcome to Central Woodlands!

At Central Woodlands, we take pride in providing learning opportunities that allow the thinking of our students to be visible and in order to reach their individual potential. Our school is filled with adults who will do anything to make sure your child has a wonderful experience every day at school. We pride ourselves on creating a “Stand Up” culture where students “Stand Up, Speak Out and Stand With!”

Visible Thinking

Central Woodlands celebrates a culture of thinking!

Visible Thinking is not a program we use at Central Woodlands; rather, it is a philosophy for our teachers and staff. This inquiry-based learning creates opportunities that engage students in higher-level thinking skills.

The educational approach at Central Woodlands is very important to our staff. Visible Thinking allows us to nurture and celebrate a deep thinking approach to learning. This instructional approach promotes a strong learning community in all classrooms.

What can you expect Visible Thinking to Look Like in your child’s Classroom?

The pacing and delivery of lessons at Central Woodlands may seem different. At Central Woodlands, we focus on teaching for understanding, rather than for the sake of memorizing and repeating, so that knowledge can be applied to scenarios outside of the classroom. We expect students to dive deeper into their thinking of specific concepts. Our teachers model strategies to promote deep thinking, as well as share their own thinking with their students.

“Thinking” routines are the strategies our teachers use to unpack and broaden each child’s thoughts and interests about specific subject matter. Choosing from over forty thinking routines, teachers at each grade level and across all curricular areas establish deeper thinking and high expectations from all learners, no matter where they begin their journey.

What has resulted from using Visible Thinking at Central Woodlands?

By utilizing thinking strategies in our instruction, we have discovered students are able to go beyond the knowledge level and push for application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation in their thinking. Moving beyond simply asking students to recall information; we have successfully found there are more opportunities for deep thinking to occur along with intellectual engagement permitting students to clarify their thinking.

Where can I learn more about Visible Thinking?

Harvard University’s Visible Thinking website at: www.pz.harvard.edu

Visible Thinking Overview and Resources: http://goo.gl/3o4Td1

Making Thinking Visible by Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church, and Karin Morrison

Creating Cultures of Thinking by Ron Ritchhart