Presented by:

Adding Critical Thinking to the Curriculum at the Elementary

Level

Is this topic a problem or an issue? How would you express it?

What methods could you use to produce ideas to resolve this problem or issue?Meetings involving:

AdministratorsTeachersParentsStudents

CommitteeResearch other schoolsLiterature review

Outsourced Expert

What habits and perceptual blocks that hinder your thinking did you have to overcome with this topic?Teaching a child critical thinking

can be fun, but many times people may think that a child is not old enough for critical thinking or just it is easier to do things for them.

How did you detect bias in your research?

What types of questions should you ask to think about this topic critically?Diagnostic questions

Is a change even needed?Evaluation questions

What are we currently doing about critical thinking?

What is being done with critical thinking in other elementary schools?

How will this be put into place here?Challenge questions

Are there any problems in the research?Has there been any bias or logic errors?

How did you evaluate arguments in your research?Clearly read what has been written in the argument.

Find the conclusion.Identify the premise.Identify any assumptions.Support for the conclusion.Only use resources that have a supported conclusion that are valid.

What assumptions or errors in reasoning did you encounter?

Which techniques should you use to present your ideas and to persuade your audience effectively?

Which approaches should you use to communicate your ideas effectively, both written and in speech?Be clear and on-topic of what is being

covered.Provide examples to help illustrate what

is being discussed.Use both visual and verbal portions to

add more depth to a presentation.Use a read-able font.Use a loud, clear voice.Do not go too fast through the material.Allow for questions at the end of the

presentation.

Solutions ProposalRe-working current lessons to include critical thinking.

Teaching a separate class on critical thinking.

A combination of both.

References References Elder, L., & Paul, R. (n.d.). Becoming a Critic Of Your Thinking.

Critical Thinking Index Page. Retrieved August 10, 2013, from http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/becoming-a-critic-of-your-thinking/478

Holt, M. (n.d.). Effective Communication Methods in an Organization. Chron.com. Retrieved August 10, 2013, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/effective-communication-methods-organization-2.html

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2005). A guide for educators to critical thinking competency standards: standards, principles, performance indicators, and outcomes with a critical thinking master rubric. Dillon, Calif.: Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Schneider, V. (2002, September 1). Critical Thinking in the Elementary Classroom: Problems and Solutions. EPS Update. Retrieved August 10, 2013, from eps.schoolspecialty.com/downloads/articles/Critical_Thinking-Schneider.pdf