Eureka! Implement thinking routines with Classroomscreen

Thinking routines are short, repeatable classroom strategies designed to make student thinking visible. They give students a structured way to:

• Examine topics from different angles
• Reflect on their knowledge
• Collaborate with peers
• Build reasoning skills over time

Originally developed by Harvard’s Project Zero, thinking routines work across all grade levels and subjects. From science to social studies, they encourage deeper engagement and empower students to express themselves with confidence.

Best for: Visual analysis, unit instructions, reflections

This framework helps students examine visual materials, think critically about them, and spark further discussions. It can be used at the beginning of a new unit to start relevant discussions about a topic, or as a reflective exercise to help them understand what they have learned. 

See: What do you see?

Think: What do you think about them?

Wonder: What are you wondering about?

• Use a Timer widget to keep students on task and on track.
• Set volume expectations for each step using the Work symbols widget.
• For particularly noisy classes, use the Sound level widget to keep students accountable to the volume expectations you set.

Best for: Building confidence in idea sharing

This strategy requires students to think through a problem by themselves, then share in pairs, then share with class. This progression not only helps build confidence in working independently, but it inspires students to embrace and learn from each other’s perspectives - the best of both worlds!

It can be used at any point in any lesson when you want to encourage problem solving and focused discussion. For example, you can apply it when tackling a math problem, after conducting a science experiment or even after reading a passage or chapter of a book. 

Think: Give students a few moments to reflect on the question or problem.

Pair: Activate the widget to put everyone in pairs or small groups so the discussions can begin!

Share: Once everyone has chatted, invite students to share their partner's ideas with the class.

• Write the question or prompt on the board using Annotation or a Text widget.
• Add a Timer widget to help students stay focused and on the same page.
• Use the Timetable widget as a visual checklist to guide students through each step of the routine.

Best for: Deepening understanding of new ideas

This routine invites students to reflect on new content in relation to their existing knowledge and can be used individually, in small groups or with the whole class.

Connect: How are the ideas and information presented connected to what I already know?

Extend: What new ideas did you get that extended or broadened your thinking in new directions?

Challenge: What challenges or puzzles have come up in your mind from the ideas and information presented?

• Divide your screen into three separate blocks for each step of the routine.
• Have students write their thinking at each stage on their own screen, on paper, or in front of the class.
• Use the Randomizer widget to call students up to share their responses.

Best for: Creative expression and summarization

Looking for a more artsy approach? This thinking routine is great for challenging students to think outside of the box and learn how to translate verbal or written texts into visual takeaways.

Color: Choose a color that best represents this idea.

Symbol: Create a symbol which best represents this idea.

Image: Draw an image which conveys the essence of this idea.

The key part of this thinking routine is to document why each color, symbol or image was chosen. It is not about the quality of the drawing or shading but about the reasoning behind each choice.

Thinking routines are flexible and can be used at almost any point in a lesson:

Incorporating thinking routines into your teaching doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few simple tools and a bit of structure, you can transform your classroom into a space where ideas flow freely and students lead the learning.

Start today with:

• Our ready-made Classroomscreen template for See, Think, Wonder.
• Trying out widgets like the Randomizer to select students to share their thinking.