Critical Thinking: The ability to effectively use higher order thinking skills to plan, teach, and reflect on

instructional practice while integrating and applying theories of teaching, learning, and development.

I think that the TRU framework (truframework.org), can be used to teach every subject and discipline in school. As educators, we don't just give the students the knowledge we teach them how to find it and set up learning experiences where students are engaged in a productive struggle to make meaning. In class experiences are not just activities, but collaborative, project based opportunities for discourse and deep learning.

Below is an example of TRU framework in action through an integrated science, English language arts, and dance lesson plan.

One of my favorite websites for encouraging critical thinking in classrooms is Learning for Justice.

Integrated English Language Arts and Social Studies Unit for 4th grade at ICS

In this unit, students worked on the strategy of making inferences in poetry. This led us to question the relevance of this current poem called "One Vote" written in 2020 by Aimee Nezhukumatathim. It led us to learn more and explore about Stacey Abrams efforts in Georgia to register more people to vote and to fight voter suppression in a Newsela article. Students engaged in Kahoots, short writing projects, and classroom discussions about the poem and Stacey Abrams contribution to the current political landscape in the US.