Candidate designs and implements instruction and assessment that assist students in developing habits of critical thinking.
I want to teach my students how to think for themselves. I want them to learn to make their own decisions. I want them to learn to question everything.
By implementing lessons that will teach critical thinking I can help my students learn to think and make decisions for themselves.
Teaching literature is a great tool to use to teach students to reflect upon their current beliefs. Through purposeful discussion and conversation a high level of thinking can be achieved. Teachers of ELA are in a prime position to teach critical thinking skills.
I will be teaching argument within the first few weeks of my student teaching. Studying opposing stances allows students to think about two alternative viewpoints and decide for themselves which one they align with. Composing an argumentative piece (essay, debate, letter to the editor, etc.) takes this thinking process one step further and makes students articulate why they feel their stance is greater while also considering the pros and cons of the opposing side.
Literature circles are another tool to use to teach critical thinking skills. Questions for discussion should be designed so students are forced to analyze not only the text but how the text relates to the larger context of the world in which they live. Students should begin asking questions like, "well, why does our society think this way?" or "how can this concept found within this story be used to help solve this problem in our school?"
To see some example lesson plans designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills click on the links below:
(a lesson designed to teach students to question the books placed on the Banned Books list)
Standard 2.4
Candidate designs and implements instruction and assessment that assist students in developing habits of critical thinking.
I want to teach my students how to think for themselves. I want them to learn to make their own decisions. I want them to learn to question everything.
By implementing lessons that will teach critical thinking I can help my students learn to think and make decisions for themselves.
To see some example lesson plans designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills click on the links below:
- (a lesson designed to teach students to question the books placed on the Banned Books list)
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/case-reading-examining-challenged-410.html- (a linked text set that revolves around the issue of prejudice in "To Kill a Mockingbird")
http://unteachingprejudice.wikispaces.com/- (literature circles focused on forming opinions about social issues using the texts "Esperanza Rising" and "Becoming Naomi Leon" by Pam Munoz Ryan)
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/accountable-book-clubs-focused-1163.html