The Color, Symbol, Image (CSI) thinking routine challenges students in many ways. In this routine, students have the opportunity to tap into their natural creativity and express themselves beyond the written language, all while making connections and thinking metaphorically. CSI is a great way to enhance comprehension, develop this metaphorical thinking, and help students practice justifying their thinking.
In the pictures below, students completed the C.S.I activity around the protagonist of the last novel studied. The fourth grade students read Mary on Horseback and centered their thinking around the protagonist, the nurse responsible for bringing medicine into Appalachia towns who would have otherwise been without it. As the students prepared their work, they were asked to reflect on the following prompts:
Choose a color that you think represents the protagonist.
Choose a symbol that you think represents the mission and attitude of the protagonist.
Choose an image that you think best represents the life of the protagonist.
Using these prompts, students completed the C.S.I. activity. For each section, the students wrote a brief explanation of their choice and explained their thinking. These written responses can be written on the back or at the bottom of the page.
In the pictures below, students completed the C.S.I activity around the protagonist of the last novel studied. The fourth grade students read Mary on Horseback and centered their thinking around the protagonist, the nurse responsible for bringing medicine into Appalachia towns who would have otherwise been without it. As the students prepared their work, they were asked to reflect on the following prompts:
Choose a color that you think represents the protagonist.
Choose a symbol that you think represents the mission and attitude of the protagonist.
Choose an image that you think best represents the life of the protagonist.
Using these prompts, students completed the C.S.I. activity. For each section, the students wrote a brief explanation of their choice and explained their thinking. These written responses can be written on the back or at the bottom of the page.