Teaching Kids to Think Critically in the Age of Accountability

Many believe that we are seeing a critical absence among students of the ability to think critically. Some blame it on the emphasis on standardized testing; others see it as a weakness in critical-thinking skills even among adults. Our guests offer tips on how to work critical thinking into our teaching as early as possible.

To Read

Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs by Ellen Galinsky

“Getting Specific About Critical Thinking” – article in Education Week Teacher by Daniel McMahon: http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2011/09/27/fp_mcmahon.html

“Can We Teach Creative and Critical Thinking?” – article at Good Education by Zoe Burgess: http://www.good.is/post/can-we-teach-creative-and-critical-thinking/

To Learn More

Foundation for Critical Thinking: www.criticalthinking.org

Critical Thinking Education Group: http://www.criticalteaching.org/

To Play

It Takes Two

Divergent problem solving is essential to creative- and critical-thinking skills. As the children respond in a variety of ways, be sure to point out the different solutions so they begin to understand there’s more than one way “correct answer!”

How to Play: Challenge pairs of children to connect various body parts – one set at a time – and to find how many different ways they can move without breaking the connection. When they’ve had ample time to explore the possibilities, invite them to try another set of body parts. Possible connections include:

• right (left) hands
• both hands
• right (left) elbows
• both elbows
• one or both knees
• right (left) feet
• backs

Another Way to Play: As an alternative, suggest non-matching body parts, like a hand to an elbow, a hand to the back, or a wrist to a shoulder.

Adapted from Great Games for Young Children by Rae Pica (Silver Spring MD: Gryphon House, 2006)