What thinking skills program does Mr. Madden utilize when encouraging his students to reflect on fictional characters' thoughts?

The selection of Lipman's Philosophy of Children as the correct answer is supported by its emphasis on encouraging students to engage in deep reflection about the thoughts and motivations of fictional characters. This program is designed to foster critical and creative thinking through dialogue and discussion, prompting students to explore philosophical questions and perspectives within stories.

This approach aligns perfectly with Mr. Madden's goal of helping his students reflect on the thoughts of fictional characters, as it involves analyzing characters' motivations, ethical dilemmas, and worldviews. Lipman's methodology encourages students to think critically about the narratives and develop their reasoning and argumentation skills, making it an ideal fit for the described learning scenario.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of thinking skills. For example, de Bono's CoRT Strategy is more structured around specific thinking techniques and tools rather than a philosophical exploration of character thought processes. Project IMPACT typically emphasizes real-world problem-solving and collaboration, which, while valuable, does not focus specifically on fictional character analysis. Costa's Thinking Skills Program, while related to critical thinking, does not specifically target the reflective analysis of fictional characters as directly or emphatically as Lipman's Philosophy of Children does.