Original thought

Do you hear that

Crickets

The horrible sound of crickets right after students realized they have to come up with something

Original

They have not been asked to summarize

Or answer a question found within the text

Or explain why a character did something

They had to develop their own original thought

Thanks to common core students will be given more opportunities to develop their own thinking as well as use critical thinking skills. Which is completely foreign to some students that have grown up taking standardized states tests.

Original thought is hard to come by now a days especially in the land of ESE

I call this phenomena original thought syndrome

Possible signs that students could be suffering from OTS

Blank stares

Looks of confusion

Asking questions you have already answered

Deer in the head lights 

Playing with their hair until it stands up
Tapping their pencil repeatedly on their desk

OTS can be overcomed, but it will take time and hard work both from the teacher and student.