"We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself."
(Lloyd Alexander)
Tony Ryan first introduced his Thinkers Keys in the 1980s but we think his keys are still an effective way to introduce different ways of higher-order thinking to our students. Thinkers Keys can be easily included in contract activities, homework tasks, journal writing activities, extension tasks and as part of a Bloom's and Multiple Intelligence approach to teaching and learning.
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Tony Ryan is a professional speaker, author and publisher. As manager of two training and publishing companies (HeadFirst and Thinkers Keys), he consults to educational and corporate bodies throughout the world on innovative thinking and life-long learning.
He is the author of many books, including Mindlinks, Wrapped In Living and The Ripple Effect. Tony has presented at state, Australian and world conferences on issues such as change management and enthusiasm for daily work.
This practical site features lots of worthwhile material to support educators and parents in the teaching of thinking skills to young people. It offers:
All of the free material on the site itself- free downloadable books, units and ideas, and also includes various suggestions for the teaching of thinking, and some worthwhile links to sites that focus on thinking.
A monthly newsletter, Monthly Comment. Subscription is free.
Access to the Thinkers Keys CD-Rom. This latest product is one of the most practical tools on the education market. Its innovative content is designed to save you endless hours of planning and preparation time.
Contact details.
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This CD-Rom, developed by Tony Ryan is fabulous, it includes:
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20 full thinking strategies (Thinkers Keys) with easy print-outs of the description of each Key for wall displays or student handouts |
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Practical and clear printable activities that can be offered to students in the teaching of these Thinkers Keys (e.g.. a full series of graphic organisers that can be used in a huge variety of lessons) |
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Over 30 printable wall displays of special headings (e.g.. What We've Learned) for reinforcing your daily teaching |
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Ten highly innovative units (e.g. Life Pathways; or, The Brain) that each feature 2 Assessment Tasks / Rich Experiences, as well as 20 specific thinking tasks for teaching that unit |
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Four full books Mindlinks , Brainstorms, Special Occasions, Thinkfest, that contain hundreds of printable activity cards for thinking tasks in many different units:
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So what are the Thinkers Keys? |
An introduction to Tony Ryan's 20 Thinker's Keys including a brief explanation and examples from the wonderful little publication Ryan, Tony. (198?). Thinkers Keys for Kids. South Coast Education Region.
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Planning to use Tony Ryan's Thinkers Keys? (42 KB) |
A simple planning grid including all of the keys, descriptions, examples and a space for you to design your own activities.
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NEW! "Saving the World" Thinkers Keys (Word, 39KB) (created by Mary-Anne Aland and Sharon Brown) |
These Thinkers Keys activities have been developed to support the integrated unit SB Saves the World. Environmental issues dominate the 6 o’clock news- our natural resources including fossil fuels and water have been depleted to a dangerously low level, many of our animals are now extinct, pollution is affecting the natural balance of the environment, global warming is a hot topic and getting hotter - it’s time for SB to Save the World! Within this unit, students, in the role of Environmental Super Heroes investigate and research alternative energy sources and solutions to the current water crisis. Students express their views in a letter to the current Queensland Premier.
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Thank you to Nikki Delrennie, Year 5/6
Teacher, Corpus Christi Catholic School, St Ives for sharing this set of
Thinker's Keys Homework Contract Activities on the Commonwealth Games.
With the Commonwealth Games literally around the corner, it's time to start
planning interesting activities to get students thinking outside the square.
These Contract Activities might be just what you've been looking for.
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Being Respectful Contract Activities (470 KB) |
These super thinking activities deal with school rules and responsibilities. They have been developed by Michele North, Principal, Pukehina School, Te Puke and are designed around many of Tony Ryan's Thinkers Keys.
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Check out these great Christmas Thinkers Keys activities developed by Maria Colarusso from Stradbroke Primary School. Use them in your classroom with your students and get them thinking "outside the stocking" this Christmas!
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Ekka Thinkers Keys Activities (471 KB) These Thinkers Keys contract activities have been developed by Geanine Richardson to support the Roll Up! Roll Up! integrated unit. In this unit students work in design groups to investigate the properties of different materials and the effects of forces on motion and the shape of objects in order to construct a model roller coaster. Health is on the menu, so students explore healthy eating behaviours to plan and design a healthy showbag. In addition, students explore the occupations and industries represented in the show and present an oral representation of a chosen occupation. |
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Australiana Thinkers Keys (80 KB) (designed by Denise Tarlinton). Here is an example of a set of Thinking Key activities organised around an Australiana Theme ready to print and use in your classroom. |
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Chocolate Cookies Thinkers Keys (63 KB) (designed by Denise Tarlinton). Here is a fun way to "do the thinker's keys!" Activities using Ryan's Thinker's Keys organised around a chocolate cookie theme! Yum! Great for using in a unit on food. |
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Alphabet Your Holidays |
Start the year with the Alphabet Key. Ask students to alphabet their holidays! Print this Alphabet Thinker's Key organiser. Created using Microsoft Word (21 KB).
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Key Templates |
Use these template of four different A4- sized keys to design your own thinking tasks based on Tony Ryan's Thinker's Keys. These are created using Microsoft Word.
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Key template 1 (95 KB) |
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Key template 2 (35 KB) |
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Key template 3 (40 KB) |
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Key template 4 (115 KB) |
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Click above to download and print these colourful Thinker's Key posters from Swan Hill College in Victoria. The site also has environment and weather themed Thinker's Keys activities to print. A Thinking is the Key coloured poster and instruction labels for each of the 20 keys are also available.
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Contract Activities |
Link above to see a variety of contract activities organised under various popular themes that incorporate many of Tony Ryan's Thinker's Keys. Themes include food, farms, pets, dinosaurs, under the sea, transport, fairytales, myths and legends, sport and many more. These contract activities are ready to print from your computer.