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Learning in the Central Okanagan

Learning in theCentral Okanagan

Thinking and Learning With Materials


When we offer our students (and ourselves) modes of thinking that stretch beyond thinking only with words, and engage in thinking with materials, the materials can access different parts of our brain to think with and can become active participants in our learning. Using these thinking materials can also generate new insights about our thoughts, questions, theories, and beliefs that we would otherwise be unlikely to discover.


Educators across our district, K-12, are asking students to use materials as they think about important quetsions and complex ideas such as identity, racial discrimination, and justice.

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Setting the Table

Educators create an aesthetically pleasing and calm environment so students can choose the material that they want to think with. This table was 'set' with India Ink as the thinking material.
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Thinking with Natural Materials

Students at PGE are using natural materials to reflect on the core competencies and how they can advocate for themselves.
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Kylar Thinking About His Rights

Kylar was thinking about his rights and the limits that other people place on you. He says: "I realized that there aren't really limits because those people can't limit you."
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Thinking With Loose Parts

Students at RAY Elementary are using loose parts to think about injustices and discrimination.
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Thinking With Wool

A student at MBSS was using wool to think about identity.
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Framing Their Thinking

Students at DRK use natural materials and frames to explore their thinking about the stories they are reading.
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Thinking With Wire

Students across the district are getting to 'know' the language of wire and how they can use it to think about the questions they are exploring together.
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Thinking With Clay

Students across the district are getting to 'know' the language of clay and how they can use it to think about the questions they are exploring together.
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Using Materials to Inspire Stories

Students across the district are using materials to help them find the stories that they want to write about in story workshop.

How might you and your students use thinking materials to deepen your thinking? How might you and your students use thinking materials to deepen your thinking?

Learn More Here

https://www.instructionalleadershipteam.com/thinking-with-materials
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About Our Team


We are a team of educators from the Central Okanagan Public School District in Kelowna, BC. We collaborate with groups of educators and their students to create powerful learning experiences that put students at the center of their learning. Find us on Twitter: @ILT_23.

Email: instructionalleadership.team@sd23.bc.ca
Website: www.instructionalleadershipteam.com
Phone: (250) 860-9729
Twitter: @ILT_23

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