This practical teaching resource has been designed to give children aged 9–12 the basic tools required to challenge some of the conflicting information which they may encounter in everyday life. With increasing exposure to modern information technology and social media, amongst other things, children are increasingly exposed to misleading information that can seriously influence their worldview and self-esteem. The sooner they are helped to approach some of this material with a critical eye, the better they will be able to make independent judgements and resist undue persuasion. Key features of this book include: • Short texts designed to give opportunities for critical examination, created to be points of discussion with individuals, groups or whole classes • Topics covering seven areas of critical thought, ordered in level of difficulty, including finding contradictions, and detecting bias and fake news • Supporting teacher prompts and questions, as well as photocopiable resources without prompts The ability to question and evaluate information is an essential life skill, as well as a key skill for academic learning, yet it remains one of the most challenging aspects of comprehension to teach. This is a vital text for teachers, teaching assistants and other professionals looking to develop critical thinking skills in their students.

Learning how to be critical and how to think for oneself are vital elements of becoming an independent learner. Critical thinking could be thought of as a tool box of skills which enables us to think more deeply, clearly and logically about our beliefs; providing a platform for making sound and valid decisions. Not only will this book help you to develop your students, but it will also further develop your own critical thinking. Each chapter contains an illustrative story to help apply the abstract ideas, such as rational thought and moral and ethical reflection, to concrete, everyday situations. There is also a complete children's story at the end of the book to help you introduce philosophy to children. This book explains the essential elements of critical thinking and why it is integral to the lifelong process of becoming educated.

When educators embrace student-centered learning, classrooms transform, authentic learning comes alive, and outcomes improve. A culmination of Lee Watanabe-Crockett's ten-plus years of work with schools around the world, Future-Focused Learning details ten core shifts of practice--along with simple microshifts--you can use with your students immediately, regardless of your core curriculum or instructional pedagogy. These proven shifts offer a clear pathway for taking the great work you are already doing and making it exceptional. Use this book to improve student-centered learning in the classroom and support authentic learning outcomes for the 21st century: Study over 50 specific examples of classroom microshifts that make the larger shifts in practice simple to achieve as a collective group. Connect the six essential fluencies--solution fluency, information fluency, creative fluency, media fluency, collaboration fluency, and global digital citizenship--to the shifts of practice that develop students' key 21st century skills and higher-order thinking. Explore topics in student-centered learning competencies such as project-based learning, essential questions, STEM education, and digital skills. Learn why fostering connections to learning --from improved emotional connections to the value of clear learning intentions--improve student-centered learning outcomes and higher-order thinking. Improve formative assessment practices to be more mindful, ask the essential questions, and further student engagement by involving them in the assessment process. Access an exclusive online bonus chapter that examines the value of solution fluency across a range of applications. Contents: Introduction Chapter 1: Essential and Herding Questions Chapter 2: Connection Through Context and Relevance Chapter 3: Personalized Learning Chapter 4: A Challenge of Higher-Order-Thinking Skills Chapter 5: Information Fluency for Research Skills Chapter 6: Process-Oriented Learning Chapter 7: Learning Intentions and Success Criteria Chapter 8: Learner-Created Knowledge Chapter 9: Mindful Assessment Chapter 10: Self- and Peer Assessment Epilogue Appendix

"Critical thinking is the essential tool for ensuring that students fulfill their promise. But, in reality, critical thinking is still a luxury good, and students with the greatest potential are too often challenged the least. This bestselling book introduces a powerful but practical framework to close the critical thinking gap, gives teachers the tools and knowledge to teach critical thinking to all students, empowers students to tackle 21st-century problems, and teaches students how to compete in a rapidly changing global marketplace. Colin Seale, a teacher-turned-attorney-turned-education-innovator and founder of thinkLaw, uses his unique experience to introduce a wide variety of concrete instructional strategies and examples that teachers can use in all grade levels. Individual chapters address underachievement, the value of nuance, evidence-based reasoning, social-emotional learning, equitable education, and leveraging families to close the critical thinking gap. In addition to offering examples for Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies, this timely, updated second edition adds a variety of new examples and applications for Physical Education, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, and Career and Technical Education"--

An insightful guide to the practice, teaching, and history of critical thinking—from Aristotle and Plato to Thomas Dewey—for teachers, students, and anyone looking to hone their critical thinking skills. Critical thinking is regularly cited as an essential 21st century skill, the key to success in school and work. Given the propensity to believe fake news, draw incorrect conclusions, and make decisions based on emotion rather than reason, it might even be said that critical thinking is vital to the survival of a democratic society. But what, exactly, is critical thinking? Jonathan Haber explains how the concept of critical thinking emerged, how it has been defined, and how critical thinking skills can be taught and assessed. Haber describes the term's origins in such disciplines as philosophy, psychology, and science. He examines the components of critical thinking, including • structured thinking • language skills • background knowledge • information literacy • intellectual humility • empathy and open-mindedness Haber argues that the most important critical thinking issue today is that not enough people are doing enough of it. Fortunately, critical thinking can be taught, practiced, and evaluated. This book offers a guide for teachers, students, and aspiring critical thinkers everywhere, including advice for educational leaders and policy makers on how to make the teaching and learning of critical thinking an educational priority and practical reality.