Critical Thinking

Whether via classroom discussions, analysis of written text, higher-order questioning, or other strategies, learn and share ways to help students go deeper with their thinking.

Using Social Justice to Promote Student Voice
Preteen students can gain confidence in their ability to navigate complex topics by using intersectionality to investigate social issues.
Lorena Germán
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Starting Critical Thinking and Collaboration Early
Even the youngest students can collaborate productively to push each other’s learning through a protocol that introduces peer feedback.
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Making Space for Deeper Mathematics Learning
When students have a chance to explore math in new ways, they develop better conceptual understanding.
Using Morning Messages to Start the Day in Distance Learning
The morning message is a popular way to help elementary students transition into school—and it can be adapted for home learning.
Lisa Walton
Building Critical Thinkers by Combining STEM With History
By asking students to explore the history of scientific discoveries, we get them to view their world with more wonder—and more skepticism—and condition their minds to think about causes and effects.
Ainissa Ramirez
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Creating a Schoolwide Culture of Critique
A framework called six thinking hats helps students learn the essential skill of giving and receiving feedback.
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Green Screen Videos Bring Content to Life
When students create videos using green screen backgrounds, they can make their thinking visible and explore beyond classroom walls.
4 Tips for Productive Online Discussions
A debate coach with experience guiding virtual discussions explains how to get students to engage with each other and with the course content.
John Ng
Encouraging Students to Take Charge of Their Learning
Guiding high school journalists in their work led a teacher to create opportunities for all of her students to develop agency and independence in learning.
Emilia Caturano
Using Project-Based Learning to Prepare Students for Cutting-Edge Careers
Hoping to prepare high school graduates to solve complex, real-world problems, an Ohio STEM school found answers in project-based learning.
Sarah Gonser
A Deceptively Simple Strategy for Promoting Critical Thinking
Using giant whiteboards is an easy way to encourage teamwork, differentiate, and foster deep engagement with content.
Christine Boatman
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Scaffolding Discussion Skills With a Socratic Circle
Students deepen their understanding and build a sense of community by engaging with their peers’ reasoned arguments.
A Lesson Planning Framework That Leads to Productive Struggle
Dialogic learning is a form of collaborative inquiry that works like gradual release of responsibility in reverse—beginning with “you do.”
Paul Sylvester
Preparing Social Studies Students to Think Critically in the Modern World
Vetting primary resources isn’t easy—but doing it well is crucial for fostering engagement and deeper learning in a rapidly changing world.
Sarah Gonser
Want Mastery? Let Students Find Their Own Way
Prominent scholars say that to drive deeper learning, students need to become accustomed to confusion—and develop the persistence to find their own answers.
Emily Kaplan

Critical Thinking

.css-1sk4066:hover{background:#d1ecfa;}Using Social Justice to Promote Student Voice

.css-1enhq53:hover{background-color:#d1ecfa;}Starting Critical Thinking and Collaboration Early

Using Social Justice to Promote Student Voice

Starting Critical Thinking and Collaboration Early