Thinking Journey for Grade 5

Description

An in depth look at the skills this test will accomplish:

Learning Strategies:End to Beginning

• Description:In this workout, students will be introduced to a problem-solving technique known as Solving from the End to the Beginning. This method proves to be highly effective, particularly when the initial approach to tackling a problem is unclear. Through the workout, students will gain an understanding of how to utilize this approach to successfully address various challenges.
• Leading game:Move It
  Move It is a puzzle game where players maneuver through a room cluttered with furniture and boxes. Their objective is to strategically shift obstacles like sofas, tables, and bookshelves to forge a pathway for the mover to the exit. This game enhances problem-solving skills, promotes forward-thinking, and offers an engaging experience while progressively honing students’ spatial reasoning and strategic thinking abilities.

Learning Strategies: The Thinking Tree Method

• Description:In this workout, the students will engage in a game of checkers and have the opportunity to practice the Thinking Tree Method. This method will enable them to make informed decisions during the game by strategically analyzing potential moves and their consequences.
• Leading game:Checkers is a classic 2-player board game played on an 8×8 checkered board. Move diagonally to capture opponent’s pieces or block their moves. Promote your piece to a king for versatile movement. Simple rules, deep strategy, timeless fun.

Learning Strategies: Resource Management

• Description:In this workout, we’ll explore the Blocker game and practice resourceful goal achievement. Students will learn the Paving a Route method to reach their destination and apply it across different game levels.
• Leading game:Blocker
  Blocker is a two-player strategy game. Players are presented with various dilemmas that require them to make decisions, manage their resources, and decide when to act.The key to winning the game is identifying the critical path and using (limited) resources effectively.

Learning Strategies: End to Beginning-b

• Description:In the advanced workout, we will further explore the problem-solving technique of Problem Solving from the End to the Beginning. Students will encounter a series of progressively challenging levels that will enable them to apply the principles of this method effectively. By navigating through various levels of difficulty, students will gain valuable experience and refine their problem-solving skills using this approach.
• Leading game:Move It
  Move It is a puzzle game where players maneuver through a room cluttered with furniture and boxes. Their objective is to strategically shift obstacles like sofas, tables, and bookshelves to forge a pathway for the mover to the exit. This game enhances problem-solving skills, promotes forward-thinking, and offers an engaging experience while progressively honing students’ spatial reasoning and strategic thinking abilities.

Learning Strategies: The Thinking Tree Method-b

• Description:In the advanced workout, we’ll continue with the Thinking Tree Method, practicing decision-making in various challenging games of checkers. Through strategic planning, this method ensures thorough exploration of all options, enhancing problem-solving abilities for more effective gameplay.
• Leading game:Checkers is a classic 2-player board game played on an 8×8 checkered board. Move diagonally to capture opponent’s pieces or block their moves. Promote your piece to a king for versatile movement. Simple rules, deep strategy, timeless fun.

Learning Strategies: Resource Management

• Description:In the advanced workout, we’ll continue practicing Paving a Route tool and explore real-world applications of this tool beyond the game context. Students will grasp that successful implementation starts with a well-defined goal and identifying the available resources to achieve it.
• Leading game:Blocker
  Blocker is a two-player strategy game. Players are presented with various dilemmas that require them to make decisions, manage their resources, and decide when to act.The key to winning the game is identifying the critical path and using (limited) resources effectively.

Mathematical Thinking: Move Order

• Description:In this workout, students will understand the significance of identifying the correct order of actions. Through the Ping Wins game, they’ll practice the order of operations and realize that not following the correct sequence might lead to a dead end.
• Leading game:PingWins
  Ping-Wins is a puzzle game requiring analysis abilities. Players must use their logical and problem-solving skills to complete levels. As they progress, the levels become more challenging and more complex. The game is characterized by problems requiring high analytical skills and the identification of anchors that lead to conclusions and finally a solution.

Mathematical Thinking: Estimation

• Description:In this workout, students will become acquainted with the game Maxit and enhance their calculation and estimation skills through diverse game positions. They will learn methods to improve their ability to estimate large numbers effectively.
• Leading game:MaxIt
  Maxit is a two-player strategy game played on an 8×8 square board. The board is randomly filled with numbers and a star is placed on one of the squares. One player plays in the rows and the other in the columns. The objective of the game is to collect more points than the opponent by selecting squares that maximize the sum of their numbers. However, players must also anticipate and adapt to a constantly changing board, adding a layer of complexity to the game that requires planning and strategy.

Mathematical Thinking: Breaking Down a Problem

• Description:In this workout, students will engage in the game of lightsOn and discover the importance of identifying anchors to reach an optimal solution. Anchors serve as the starting points for solving the game levels accurately.
• Leading game:LightsOn
  LightsOn is an engaging puzzle game that offers a progressive difficulty level. The objective is to strategically place light bulbs to illuminate the game board. To succeed, students must apply logical reasoning and seek out key anchors that will systematically guide them towards the goal. As they navigate through the challenges, their ability to think critically and strategically will be sharpened.

Mathematical Thinking: Move Order-B

• Description:Throughout the advanced workout, we will further explore the order of actions, and as the game stages increase in difficulty, students will be challenged to strategically plan their tool movements in advance to avoid reaching a dead end.
• Leading game:PingWins
  Ping-Wins is a puzzle game requiring analysis abilities. Players must use their logical and problem-solving skills to complete levels. As they progress, the levels become more challenging and more complex. The game is characterized by problems requiring high analytical skills and the identification of anchors that lead to conclusions and finally a solution.

Mathematical Thinking: Estimation-B

• Description:During the advanced workout, we’ll further explore estimation techniques and discover practical applications beyond the game context. Emphasizing approximate calculations, students will understand situations where precision isn’t necessary, and estimation is sufficient for accurate results.
• Leading game:MaxIt
  Maxit is a two-player strategy game played on an 8×8 square board. The board is randomly filled with numbers and a star is placed on one of the squares. One player plays in the rows and the other in the columns. The objective of the game is to collect more points than the opponent by selecting squares that maximize the sum of their numbers. However, players must also anticipate and adapt to a constantly changing board, adding a layer of complexity to the game that requires planning and strategy.

Mathematical Thinking:Breaking Down a Problem-b

• Description:Throughout the advanced workouts, we will delve deeper into the concept of anchors. Students will practice identifying both visible anchors and hidden anchors that require a bit more effort to find. This enhanced understanding will enable them to tackle more complex challenges with confidence.
• Leading game:LightsOn
  LightsOn is an engaging puzzle game that offers a progressive difficulty level. The objective is to strategically place light bulbs to illuminate the game board. To succeed, students must apply logical reasoning and seek out key anchors that will systematically guide them towards the goal. As they navigate through the challenges, their ability to think critically and strategically will be sharpened.

Scientific Thinking: Attention to Details

• Description:In this workout, students will be introduced to the Enigma game, challenging them to break their opponent’s secret code. Through this workout, students will have the opportunity to refine their attention to detail and understand the vital role of actively gathering information before making crucial decisions.
• Leading game:Enigma.
  Enigma is a strategy game in which players try to figure out the secret code by making educated guesses. The ability to crack opponent code is based on analytical ability, critical thinking and attention to details. The game is characterized by an abundance of information that makes the task difficult and complex. The key to winning is narrowing down the information, using The Elimination tool, and excluding unlikely possibilities.

Scientific Thinking: The Scientific Method

• Description:In this engaging workout, students will be introduced to the intriguing Mystery Box game, which will not only captivate their interest but also facilitate their understanding of the essential steps in the scientific method. The primary focus will be on developing their skills in formulating insightful questions and effectively testing hypotheses.
• Leading game:The Mystery Box
  The Mystery Box is a rule-free game where the goal is to find the right sequence of actions using creative thinking. Each challenge is unique, but students will discover repeating solution patterns as they progress.

Scientific Thinking: Pattern Recognition

• Description:In this dynamic workout, students will participate in the Night Watch strategy game, where they will have the opportunity to sharpen their skills in pattern recognition and strategic decision-making. By immersing themselves in this engaging game, they will learn to recognize patterns that hold the key to achieving victory.
• Leading game:Night Watch
  Night Watch game is a strategic game played on a checkered board, featuring 4 guards and a thief. Both sides have opposing goals, with the thief aiming to find an escape route while the guards collaborate to capture and restrict the thief’s movements. This game encourages players to delve into the mindset of the opposing party to understand their game plan, adding an element of strategic thinking and empathy to the gameplay.

Scientific Thinking: Attention to Details-b

• Description:In the advanced workout, we will continue to emphasize the importance of being alert and gathering crucial information from diverse sources to make informed decisions. Students will have the opportunity to enhance this skill through a series of engaging and challenging game positions.
• Leading game:Enigma.
  Enigma is a strategy game in which players try to figure out the secret code by making educated guesses. The ability to crack opponent code is based on analytical ability, critical thinking and attention to details. The game is characterized by an abundance of information that makes the task difficult and complex. The key to winning is narrowing down the information, using The Elimination tool, and excluding unlikely possibilities.

Scientific Thinking: The Scientific Method-b

• Description:In the advanced workout, we will build upon our exploration of the scientific method and delve into its broader applications across diverse scenarios beyond the confines of the game. This extension of our learning will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how the scientific approach can be utilized effectively in various real-world situations.
• Leading game:The Mystery Box
  The Mystery Box is a rule-free game where the goal is to find the right sequence of actions using creative thinking. Each challenge is unique, but students will discover repeating solution patterns as they progress.

Scientific Thinking: Pattern Recognition-b

• Description:In the advanced workout, we will maintain our focus on improving the ability to recognize patterns, but this time, we will take it to the next level by practicing with more complex game positions and escalating levels of difficulty. This exercise is designed to challenge students further and push their pattern recognition skills to new heights.
• Leading game:Night Watch
  Night Watch game is a strategic game played on a checkered board, featuring 4 guards and a thief. Both sides have opposing goals, with the thief aiming to find an escape route while the guards collaborate to capture and restrict the thief’s movements. This game encourages players to delve into the mindset of the opposing party to understand their game plan, adding an element of strategic thinking and empathy to the gameplay.

Flexible Thinking: The Alpinist Method

• Description:In this workout, we will acquaint ourselves with the enthralling Climbing Up Game and delve into the principles of the Alpinist Method. This method will underscore the significance of maintaining unwavering determination when confronted with unforeseen challenges and developing resilience to navigate through situations when things deviate from the expected path.
• Leading game:ClimbUp
  ClimbUp is a puzzle game requiring good planning and flexibility. The objective of ClimbUp is to help the alpinist reach the top of the mountain by rearranging the available resources to form a path. The game is characterized by the need for resourcefulness and flexibility from the players. The game levels illustrate that progress toward a goal does not always follow a straight path.

Flexible Thinking: Mastery of the Basics

• Description:n this workout, students will focus on mastering the fundamentals as the first step towards effectively handling changes and surprises. By establishing a strong foundation, they will develop the confidence and resilience needed to face unexpected challenges without fear.
• Leading game:Two-Flags
  Two-Flags is a strategy game for 2 players in which you need to create and execute your strategic plan while overcoming opponent threats. The game is characterized by the need to be agile in your thinking, as well as the ability to adjust to changing conditions. Players must think about the long-term moves in the game, while making short-term decisions that will help them gain an advantage over their opponent.

Flexible Thinking: Key Points

• Description:In this workout, students will be introduced to the concept of key points and will focus on developing their ability to identify these pivotal positions within the game of Elements. As they delve into the game’s details, they will quickly grasp that recognizing and capturing key points can provide them with a significant advantage.
• Leading game:Elements
  Elements is a strategy game designed for two players. Both players try to control the game board. Control will be achieved if you identify the key points and catch them before the opponent. Attention to detail and timing are essential to success. The game is characterized by a changing environment. The game position changes dramatically with each move. The game requires adjusting the game plan and identifying the key points that will remain stable throughout the game.

Flexible Thinking: The Alpinist Method-b

• Description:In the advanced workout, our focus will persist on building endurance while improving the skill through a series of game challenges that progressively increase in difficulty. This workout is designed to strengthen students determination.
• Leading game:ClimbUp
  ClimbUp is a puzzle game requiring good planning and flexibility. The objective of ClimbUp is to help the alpinist reach the top of the mountain by rearranging the available resources to form a path. The game is characterized by the need for resourcefulness and flexibility from the players. The game levels illustrate that progress toward a goal does not always follow a straight path.

Flexible Thinking: Mastery of the Basics-b

• Description:In the advanced workout of the Two Flags game, we will focus on mastering the ability to adopt the opponent’s point of view, gaining valuable insights into their game plan and strategies.
• Leading game:Two-Flags
  Two-Flags is a strategy game for 2 players in which you need to create and execute your strategic plan while overcoming opponent threats. The game is characterized by the need to be agile in your thinking, as well as the ability to adjust to changing conditions. Players must think about the long-term moves in the game, while making short-term decisions that will help them gain an advantage over their opponent.