Thinking Tables

Need a quick, fun way for students to review information?  Try doing a thinking table!  I have wipeoff tables in my room, so this works wonderfully.  If you don't have these tables, you can still do the thinking table by laying a big piece of paper over them.  

 

Let your students know what kind of information you want them to be writing, set your timer, and stand back!  We use dry erase markers every day in my classroom.  But I learned some time ago to only put out black markers for every day use.  Otherwise, we waste precious time looking for just the one color we like or arguing with our neighbor over the colors.  When we do thinking tables, I break out the colored markers and oh my the excitement level instantly rises!  Here is a short list of ideas for what you could use thinking tables for:

• brainstorming writing ideas
• character traits
• informational text features found in their story
• other ways to say "said" or "walk"
• review of information studied in social studies or science

I have my students write, move around the table, write, and move around the table.  I want them to do a quick review, write all they can think of and read what others write as they go.  Fun, easy, and quick!  How could you use thinking tables with your students??