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The 21st century urgently needs students who are proficient in thinking skills due to the overwhelming amount of information on the internet, books, and television. Education needs to be redefined and restructured. Society expects schools to prepare students to communicate effectively, work in teams, analyze and solve problems and reflect on their learning. The Thinking Processes Curriculum is designed to help educators, administrators, and curriculum developers in the process of change and transformation of education for 21st century learners. The content of the curriculum is encompassed in the thinking processes involved in decision-making, critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving and reflective thinking. These five strands are the formal aspect of the discipline of thinking processes and what the students are expected to learn and live by. The premise of a Thinking Curriculum is that education will be comprehensive if the hearts and minds of students are actively engaged.

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Olga McIvor, Research and Development Specialist with Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, graduated with a Masters of Education degree from Brandon University in 2010.

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