Power Thinking Resources

What is "power thinking?"

• A tool for assisting reading in non-fiction
• A tool for organizing ideas in writing in non-fiction

Power thinking is a strategy which enables students to read for what is important vs. what is not so important and to write in an organized, cohesive manner. It sets a specific purpose for reading/ writing tasks across all areas of the curriculum. When modeled appropriately for students, it serves as a valuable tool for the outlining stage of writing as well as a retelling or summary strategy.

• Power 1: The Big Idea. The Power 1 is the main idea, general term, or category ... the most important category. (In any given task, there will be only one Power 1.)
• Power 2: The Details, Supporting Ideas. Three supporting ideas/ themes in Power 2 allow for substantial branching out of subsequent details.
• Power 3: Supporting Details, Evidence or Examples (to support Power 2)
• Power 4. As with Power 2, each new power must support the previous one with related information.

Power Thinking Tools

• Power Thinking Graphic Organizer (PDF)
• Power Writing (PDF)
• Blank Power Writing 2 (PDF)
• Sample Power Writing Questions: Grade One (PDF)
• Sample Power Writing Questions: Grade Two (PDF)
• Sample Power Writing Questions: Grade Three (PDF)

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