Micro Lab Protocol
Reflect privately, then share, this implementation captures the reflection step.
Building explanationsMaking connectionsConsidering perspectivesFacilitated
What is Micro Lab Protocol?
The full protocol is a triad-based timed share. We capture the reflective writing step here; the timed sharing happens in the room.
Setup: Issue or topic to examine.
The prompts
- 1Your individual reflectionWhat are you noticing? What's surfacing?
Good moments for Micro Lab Protocol
- Classroom warm-upSurface what students bring before introducing new content.
- After a reading or videoConsolidate big ideas without testing recall.
- Discussion starterResponses become the seed material for the room conversation.
- End-of-session reflectionCapture how thinking changed.
About Visible Thinking
Visible Thinking Routines were developed by Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (Ron Ritchhart, David Perkins). They are short structured protocols for surfacing thinking, not assessments.
Project Zero website