George Lucas Educational Foundation

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.

Sort by:
Recommended
  • Dispelling the Myth of ‘Bad’ Writers

    Teachers can create safe learning environments where students develop confidence in their writing abilities and feel more comfortable sharing their work.
    Miriam Plotinsky
    1
    228
  • Using Picture Books to Teach Children About Large Numbers

    These strategies help elementary students grapple with the very large numbers involved in talking about time and space.
  • Exploring Before Explaining Sparks Learning

    New elementary science teachers can build student engagement and enhance learning by using the explore-before-explain approach.
  • 9 Tips for Using AI for Learning (and Fun!)

    These innovative, AI-driven activities will help you engage students across grade levels and subject areas.
    5
    2k
  • How to Teach Students Ethical Decision-Making in Journalism Class

    With thoughtful guidance from their advisers, young journalists can learn how to proceed when writing about sensitive topics.
    219
  • A Collaborative Approach to Mistake Analysis

    This method calls for students working in groups to create problems, point out common errors, find solutions, and then explain the process.
    4.6k
  • Building Better Readers With Scaffolded Read Alouds

    By reading books out loud every day, teachers introduce students to higher-level texts and new vocabulary, while modeling deeper thinking and strong discussion skills.
    680
  • Making a Math Lesson More Hands-On

    When teachers provide opportunities for students to construct figures and play with dimensions while exploring geometry, math becomes more accessible to everyone.
    3.5k
  • How to Turn Your Math Classroom Into a ‘Thinking Classroom’

    The researcher Peter Liljedahl evangelizes for practices that prioritize and stimulate more hard thinking in classrooms.
    4.8k
  • An illustration of the inside of a mind while writing

    Why Students Should Write in All Subjects

    Writing improves learning by consolidating information in long-term memory, researchers explain. Plus, five engaging writing activities to use in all subjects.
    19.4k
  • Shifting From Linear Learning to a Spiral Approach in Science

    Repeated exposure to important concepts helps students retain more information and think deeper about the material they’re studying.
    4
    650
  • Using Differentiation to Challenge All Students

    Whether students are ahead of their peers or behind, differentiation should ensure that all learners engage in critical thinking.
    3.2k
  • 5 Ways to Stop Thinking for Your Students

    Too often math students lean on teachers to think for them, but there are some simple ways to guide them to think for themselves.
    5k
  • Teacher writing on whiteboard.

    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.
    15.9k
  • Team Quizzes: A Low-Risk, High-Yield Strategy

    Quizzes in small groups can be a low-risk, high-yield learning strategy that also fosters collaboration skills in high school students.
    2
    553

Follow Edutopia

  • facebook icon
  • twitter icon
  • instagram icon
  • youtube icon
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

George Lucas Educational Foundation

Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
Edutopia®, the EDU Logo™ and Lucas Education Research Logo® are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries.