Applying of Critical Thinking Skills in the Classroom
- 1. Applying of CTS in the Classroom activities and exercises Prepared By: Ameer Salman Hussein
- 2. The Need for CTS (Critical Thinking Skills) Critical thinking is considered as a very important issue in the contemporary perspectives of teaching, especially those that concern the development of creativity teaching processes. Because that the students need to obtain understand, and analyze information on a much more efficient way rather than the traditional ways, So, the application of critical thinking skills in classroom requires the teacher to have some features and apply some activities and exercises to achieve a successful teaching with critical thinking.
- 3. Activities and exercises of CTS in the classroom In order to help students to develop their critical thinking skills and come out with new and uncommon thoughts, it is important for the teachers to understand that the role they play in developing critical thinking is different than the role they are typically playing. For students to be engaged in critical thinking, the teacher needs to act as a facilitator to allow for discussion and encourage a wider and open thought process, as well as to encourage understanding of the different perception of every individual that comes with thinking critically. Here are some activities and exercises to be applied in classroom.
- 4. Giving Only Necessary Help It is important for the teacher to let the students think for a solution to any problem at any situation, and provide them with possible help if it necessary. This process may help them to be self-confident with their solutions and makes them depend on themselves.
- 5. Brainstorm One of the easiest and most effective ways to get young children to think critically is to brainstorm. It is an excellent learning tool. It’s also an excellent critical-thinking exercise, especially when paired with visual elements that bring original thinking and classroom discussions to life.
- 6. Classification and Categorization Classification plays an important role in critical thinking because it requires students to understand and apply a set of rules. In this activity, the teacher gives students a variety of objects and asks them to identify each object, then sort it into a category. This is a great activity to help students think and self-question what object should go where, and why.
- 7. Asking Questions Asking questions, especially open-ended questions, gives elementary school students a chance to apply what they’ve learned and build on prior knowledge. It also allows them to problem-solve and boosts self-esteem by providing an opportunity for students to express themselves in front of their peers.
- 8. Encourage Decision-making Since a large part of teaching critical thinking skills revolves around applying knowledge and evaluating solutions, elementary school teachers should encourage decision-making as much as possible. This enables students to apply what they’ve learned to different situations.
- 9. Work in Groups (Team Work) Group projects and discussions are another excellent way for elementary school teachers to encourage critical thinking skills. Cooperative learning not only exposes students to the thought processes of their classmates, it expands their thinking and worldview by demonstrating that there’s no one right way to approach a problem. For the online learning, this can be done through the live chats between the teacher and students.
- 10. Accept Different Points of View Some of the very best critical thinking exercises for elementary school students involve exploring a concept from multiple perspectives. This tactic not only establishes that an idea should be assessed from different points of view before an opinion is formed, it gives students a chance to share their own viewpoints while listening to and learning from others.
- 11. Connect Different Ideas Connecting different ideas is the key to teaching critical thinking. For example, elementary school teachers can ask students if they know anyone who has to take a bus to work, and if so, why it would be important for that person to also have a train schedule. Questions like these help children consider different situations (delayed buses, for example) and potential solutions (taking the train instead)
- 12. Inspire Creativity Imagination is the key to teaching critical thinking in elementary school. Teachers should seek out new ways for students to use information to create something new. Art projects are an excellent way to do this. Students can also construct inventions, write a story or poem, create a game, etc.
- 13. Make Real-life Connections Encouraging students to make connections to a real-life situation and identify patterns is a great way to practice their critical thinking skills. Ask students to always be on the look for these connections, and when they find one to make sure they tell you.
- 14. Doing Quantitative Exercises Providing students with courses such as mathematics, chemistry, and physics, that require the solution of various mathematical problems, enables them to think critically to find the correct solution. When students are required to solve math problems, they are practicing critical thinking, whether they know it or not.
- 15. Writing Term Papers The best way to teach critical thinking is to ask the students to write. Writing forces students to organize their thoughts, contemplate their topic, evaluate their data in a logical fashion, and present their conclusions in a persuasive manner. Good writing is the epitome of good critical thinking.
- 16. References: • Schafersman Steven D. (1991) An Introduction to Critical Thinking. Online Article found in: http://www.freeinquiry.com/critical-thinking.html • www.teachhub.com • www.waldenu.edu