Social Thinking

Social Thinking

Social Thinking Vocabulary Definitions

from Think Social:  A social thinking curriculum for school age-students, Winner 2005.

Social Smarts:  The type of "smarts" in our brains that we use whenever we are around other people.  Social smarts help our brains to know that others are having thoughts about us and we are having thoughts about them.  We use social smarts in school, at home, and EVERYWHERE!

School Smarts:  Different types of "smarts" in our brains that we use for school learning.  Things like math smarts, computer smarts, music smarts, science smarts, and  many more.

Body in the group:  Your body is in the group if others feel you are part of the group.  For example when you are standing, this means keeping your body about one arm's length away from others.  The front of your body will be turned towards others in the group.

Brain in the group:  Your brain is in the group when others feel that you are paying attention to what is happening in the group.  For example, when you are thinking about others with your eyes and listening to what they are talking about.

Thinking with your eyes:  This means that you are using your eyes to look at a person and it makes them feel that you are thinking about what they are saying or doing.

Expected:  these are things we do and say that give people good thoughts about us and make them feel good too. Doing what is expected is different based on where we are and who we are with.

Unexpected:  These are things we do and say that give people uncomfortable (odd) thoughts about us and makes them feel icky or mad, or bad.  Doing what is unexpected is different based on where we are and who we are with (different situations).

Social Detective:  Every one of us is a Social Detective.  We are good Social Detectives when we use our eyes, ears, and brains to figure out what others are planning to do next or are presently doing and what they mean by what they say and do.

Social Thinker:  Each of us is a "social thinker" every day, each time we are around other people.  It means we are always aware that people are around us and having thoughts about each of our behaviors.  We are social thinkers, even when people are not talking to or playing with us.  All of us should be social thinkers each day in a classroom. We can do this by being patient when someone else takes a turn or gives the same answer we were thinking about.  Social thinkers know that we often share the same thought in a classroom when the teacher is teaching.  Learning to become a better social thinker is what every person does their whole life!