Applied Learning Programme

Discover how CPS nurtures curious, analytical thinkers through its Thinking Curriculum. Students build critical thinking skills across four levels, from classroom routines to external competitions.

Last updated 25 June 2026

Thinking@CPS Curriculum

Vision

Concerned Citizens, Innovative Thinkers, Passionate Learners

Overview

The Thinking Curriculum at CPS seeks to inculcate in students the attitudes, skills, and dispositions to approach challenges with a positive, inquiring and problem-solving mindset.

We believe that when students are equipped with thinking skills and provided with opportunities to practise these thinking skills, they will develop the thinking dispositions needed to tackle challenges they face in the future.

With regular practice, thinking routines become natural habits of mind. They provide structured approaches that can be applied across different contexts and subjects, helping develop consistent analytical and critical thinking skills. Thinking routines support Active Learning. Rather than passive reception of information, thinking routines engage learners actively in constructing understanding. They prompt questions, connections, and deeper exploration of ideas.

Thinking skills and dispositions are practiced through four levels:

Level 1 – Classroom pedagogy and instruction

Every department in the school infuses thinking routines into their curriculum to help students make their thinking visible during idea exploration, idea organisation and idea synthesis.

Routines such as ‘See-Think-Wonder’, ‘Claim-Support-Question’, ‘Step-Inside’ and ‘Think-Puzlle-Explore’ help students become more aware of their own thinking processes, fostering metacognitive skills that are crucial for deeper learning and problem-solving. They encourage reflection on how we think, not just what we think.

Primary 1 students learning about tigers at the zoo using See Think Wonder thinking routine.

Use of Thinking Routines in English Language

Young students in school uniforms measure and observe tires used as planters and a painted floor outdoors.

Mathematical Reasoning during the Primary 2 Math Trail

Students use tablets at school desks during a Step-Inside MTL oral conversation via SLS.

Use of ‘Step-Inside’ during Mother Tongue Lessons

Primary 3 students explore boat-making materials, testing if objects float or sink in water tanks.

Think-Puzzle-Explore used during Science lessons

Level 2 - School based and school wide projects / programmes

Special programmes are organised to give opportunity for students to practice their thinking skills outside of class and subject context.

Thinking routines provide frameworks for meaningful dialogue and collaborative thinking. They help organise group discussions and ensure that different perspectives are considered systematically.

By breaking down complex thinking processes into manageable steps, these routines help learners develop deeper understanding of concepts and ideas. They encourage looking beyond surface-level observations to explore underlying meanings and implications.

Primary 5 Debate Programme

Racial Harmony Day

Maths Week

Level 3 – School based enrichment programmes for selected students

Students who demonstrate interest are selected for various enrichment programmes the school offers such as E2K Math, E2K Science and Reading Circles.

Reading Circle

Thinking like a mathematician to solve problems.

Students in E2K Science conducting science experiments

Thinking like a scientist to solve problems.

Level 4 – External platforms / competitions for selected students

External platforms and competitions give students a wider audience to present their ideas and/or solutions and learn from others, which includes Science Buskers and Sony Creative Science Award whereby students are involved in toy-making.

Student projects showing toy car sketches with circuit diagrams and a lit rectangular model beside draft sketches.

Think and Explore how a closed circuit is formed through their toy/product making project 2