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Critical thinking refers to the ability to make constructive choices and understand metacognitive strategies to enhance learning. Critical thinking skills build responsible decision-making, analytical, and critical inquiry skills which are necessary to approach learning from an innovative, creative, multicultural, and ethical lens.
Discover a variety of lessons and exercises that strengthen CRITICAL THINKING skills by clicking on the links below.
Discover a variety of lessons and exercises that strengthen CRITICAL THINKING skills by clicking on the links below.
FREE // 3RD-8TH GRADE
About: In this exercise, students examine how they face everyday moral dilemmas and consider who and what influences their reactions when conflicts arise. These types of discussions can help students think in a more critical and sophisticated way about the social and ethical challenges they may face.
FREE // 6TH-8TH GRADE
About: Students research, present to the class, and express gratitude to an historical figure whose actions have benefited society. Taking the time to think deeply about these persons’ motivations and sacrifices is a unique way to deepen students’ understanding and appreciation for the difference these people made.
FREE // 6TH-12TH GRADE
About: Students watch videos on prosocial (kind, helpful) action, complete self-reflection activities, and plan and record their prosocial acts over ten consecutive days. They finish with a reflection on the impact of their actions.
FREE // 6TH-12TH GRADE
About: Students watch the film Earthrise and reflect on the power of the Earthrise image to foster reverence and responsibility for the planet.
FREE // K-12TH GRADE
About: Helping students strengthen their understanding of metacognition — thinking about their thinking — is an important goal of my teaching. Larry Ferlazzo gathers all of those posts in one “The Best…” list.
FREE // 6TH-8TH GRADE
About: Students watch a video about an anonymous group of students’ “random acts of kindness,” and then they plan ways to perform their own acts of kindness.
FREE // K-6TH GRADE
About: There are many effective ways to solve a problem. In this activity, students will imagine difficult situations and talk about strategies for making responsible, ethical, and healthy choices. Talking about these choices will help students make decisions in the future when problems arise.
Individual lessons are available for Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade, and Sixth Grade.
FREE // 7TH-10TH GRADE
About: Self-efficacy is using success in an area of your life as a personal reference point for ability, leading to a sense of personal achievement and belief in yourself.
This lesson explores the concept of ‘self-efficacy’ and developing ‘self-belief’. These skills are important for students using a positive outlook to achieve goals and develop resilience.
ABOUT: Students learn about the three parts of the brain–the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex–involved with emotion regulation, attention, and learning to engage their interest and enhance their self-awareness.
Understanding these parts of the brain and how they work can help students get better at making good choices and learn better.
Through this activity, we introduce students to the concept that they can use their brain in ways that will help them focus their attention when needed, calm themselves in the face of anxiety, and be less reactive and more proactive in creating a more productive experience.
FREE // 3RD-12TH GRADE
About: This variation on freewriting is a method of inner inquiry, helping students to explore their thoughts, emotions, or ideas on a topic of their choice, an academic-related question, or an ethical dilemma.
FREE // 3RD-5TH GRADE
About: A master math teacher in Anchorage, Alaska, establishes a cooperative-learning environment in an upper-elementary classroom.
FREE & PAID // K-5TH GRADE
About: What is active listening, how do students do it, and why? This lesson answers these questions and provides ways for you to increase active listening in your classroom using fun games and exercises to reach all students.
FREE // 9TH-12TH GRADE
About: Students apply a “growth mindset” lens to people who exclude others and/or are victims of exclusion, recognizing that people can change for the better.
FREE // 9TH-12TH GRADE
About: Students explore and write about what makes a good life, using Aristotle as a guide.
FREE // 6TH-12TH GRADE
About: Students write a description of their ideal world and how they might contribute to creating that world.
FREE // 6TH-8TH GRADE
About: Respect and understanding ensue when students allow themselves to become more aware that everyone has a story. If they just look a little closer, they may see a whole new side to someone that they once only judged and/or dismissed. When we understand this reality and learn to look at others with compassion and understanding, people become real. It’s hard to treat someone poorly once you get to know them. The goal of this lesson is to help students to look closer at those around them and become more empathetic.
FREE // 6TH-8TH GRADE
About: It’s not difficult for students to get swept up into situations that require tough decisions, online or offline. Give your students the opportunity to practice their decision-making skills in different situations that surround digital safety, bullying prevention, and character culture with these seven activities.
FREE // K-3RD GRADE
About: Looking for ways to help your child with social-emotional learning (SEL)? Many schools have started teaching kids how to do things like cope with feelings, set goals, and get along with others. Here are a handful of social-emotional learning activities that can help children manage emotions and work on social skills — and have some fun with you along the way. These social-emotional learning games are very low-tech and all are designed to fit easily into daily routines.
FREE // K-12TH GRADE
About: In this guide, you will find activities that are aligned to Sandy Hook Promise’s Start With Hello and Say Something programs. These activities also boost essential social and emotional skills needed during times of social distancing. The activities can be shared with students, used and modelled by trusted adults, and given as ‘Promise Challenges’ by educators. Each activity supports at least one of the five CASEL competencies.
PAID MATERIALS // P-12TH GRADE
About: Since 1958, The Critical Thinking Co's products have helped students of all abilities achieve better academic results with highly effective lessons that sharpen the mind as they teach standards-based reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history. The Critical Thinking Co designs critical thinking into reading, writing, math, science, and history lessons so students carefully analyze what they are learning. Deeper analysis produces deeper understanding, which results in better grades and higher test scores. Over time, students who practice critical thinking learn to apply it throughout their education and lives.
FREE
About: Teachers and parents – are you looking for a way to engage young learners in fun career awareness and career exploration activities? Here are home learning materials you can put to immediate use with K-5 students. And, since distance learning has become the norm, they’re easy to implement outside the classroom.
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