{"id":782,"date":"2015-02-17T17:12:00","date_gmt":"2015-02-17T17:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rempub.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/17\/how-to-improve-students-critical-thinking-skills\/"},"modified":"2022-03-01T07:47:59","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T07:47:59","slug":"how-to-improve-students-critical-thinking-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rempub.com\/blog\/how-to-improve-students-critical-thinking-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Improve Students’ Critical Thinking Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Improve high-level, critical thinking skills and you’re sure to improve reading comprehension, problem solving, writing skills, and more! We\u2019ve gathered five important higher-level thinking skills, defined the skill, and suggested a way for you to help improve that skill. These tips are a terrific way to give your students the tools they need for success in school as well as in their daily lives!<\/span>
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USING LOGIC<\/span><\/h3>\n

As the basis of all reasoning skills, it is essential that logic be presented and stressed in as many different formats as possible. As students use logic to arrive at a conclusion, they will develop abilities in examining information, exploring possibilities, and sequencing. These same steps are required in any problem-solving situation-both academic and practical.<\/span><\/p>\n

Picture Logic<\/span><\/h4>\n

Give your students’ brains a workout with this<\/a> 2-page free worksheet download. Your students’ problem-solving skills will soar with these Picture Logic<\/a> activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Improve critical thinking skills w\/these tips from @remediapub #edchat
\n{ Tweet This }<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

DRAWING SOLUTIONS<\/span><\/h3>\n

Drawing Solutions is the skill of turning an abstract problem into a visual, semi-concrete format. This ability is an important step in the development of effective problem-solving techniques.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> By creating a visual representation of the components of a problem, students can more easily perform necessary operations and actually see the logic (or the absence of logic) in their solution. It simplifies the process of following a sequential order in problem-solving. It also provides a means for \u201ctalking through\u201d the steps taken, making inconsistencies easier to detect.<\/span>
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Drawing Solutions in Math<\/span><\/h4>\n

Shell Education\u2019s Think it, Show it, Mathematics<\/i><\/a> has tons of suggestions for high-level thinking. The author suggests that as students solve math word problems, they should explain their process in complete sentences. For instance, students should write, \u201cTo solve the problem, I\u2026\u201d Once students have explained how they came to their answer, they should then write a number sentence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bonus Tip:<\/b><\/i> ask students to write a unique word problem using their number sentence. Get the<\/span> book here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n
\"Just<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t let your students opt out of
\nthinking by saying IDK. Try these
\nalternate responses: May I have more time,
\nmore information, look it up, hear the
\nquestion again, or respond in writing?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

APPLICATION <\/span><\/h3>\n

The third step in Bloom\u2019s Taxonomy, Application, is the use of information recalled and understood. Improve this skill by having students use acquired facts and skills in new situations.<\/span>
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Create a Plant or Flower<\/span><\/h4>\n

Ask students to apply what they have learned and now know about plants and flowers in order to expand information and create a plant or flower. Download<\/a> this free worksheet that will instruct students: <\/span>You are a scientist who has just discovered a new flower! Draw the plant. Label its parts. Name it…etc.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Tips<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

RELYING ON REASON<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are five major areas of reasoning skills: analyzing real and make-believe, inferring, distinguishing between fact and opinion, making assumptions, and determining cause and effect. Since these skills involve an abstract level of thinking, it is entirely possible that students may have very valid reasons for answering questions or responding to activities differently. When practicing reasoning skills, any answer students can explain in a logical manner should be accepted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because<\/span><\/h4>\n

For this reason, the word because is an important part of Relying on Reason. Post a sign during guided reading, class discussions, and other activities that simply says \u201cBecause…\u201d This will help students remember to justify their thinking, opinions, and answers.<\/span>
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\"Tips<\/a>SYNTHESIS<\/span><\/h3>\n

The fifth level in Bloom\u2019s Taxonomy, Synthesis, is the ability to combine parts of a whole in a new and different way. It includes the ability to think flexibly, determine alternatives, and find other ways to accomplish a given task.<\/span>
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Not Just Any Ordinary Object<\/span><\/h4>\n

To practice synthesis, bring in several everyday, ordinary objects such as an egg carton, clothespin, clothes hanger, helmet, or book. First discuss one of the objects with the class. Then ask students to think of<\/span> unique ways to use these everyday objects. <\/span>With this level of abstract thinking students should be encouraged to go beyond the obvious to more original thoughts. <\/span>Once students seem comfortable with coming up with ideas out loud, show students additional ordinary objects and have them write at least two ideas for unique ways to use the objects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>Bonus Tip:<\/b><\/i> P<\/span>ost your \u201cBecause\u201d sign to remind students to support their reasoning.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

You could even turn this activity into a project where students must take their ideas and physically transform those ordinary objects into their new uses, and present their ideas to the class.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Want more practice with higher-level thinking skills? Try our Critical Thinking Skills Books<\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Improve high-level, critical thinking skills and you’re sure to improve reading comprehension, problem solving, writing skills, and more! We\u2019ve gathered five important higher-level thinking skills, defined the skill, and suggested a way for you to help improve that skill. These tips are a terrific way to give your students the tools they need for success […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[153,169,168,177],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-782","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-comprehension-skills","8":"category-freebies","9":"category-teacher-tip","10":"category-thinking-skills"},"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n