University of California
University of Cal: Critical Thinking in an Online World
This article discusses why and how to encourage the development of critical thinking skills for students conducting research on the Web. The author even presents an overview of a project that you could adapt to your class.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Using Egg Drop Activity to Promote Critical Thinking and Analysis Skills
In this multi-lesson hands-on inquiry activity, students will develop their critical thinking skills by designing and constructing an apparatus that will permit an egg to survive a nine foot fall. Given limited materials, they will...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Can You Solve the Bridge Riddle?
Taking that internship in a remote mountain lab might not have been the best idea. Pulling that lever with the skull symbol just to see what it did probably wasn't so smart either. But now is not the time for regrets because you need to...
Other
That's a Good Question
While the specific questions proposed here relate to physical therapy, the method of designing good questions that is taught can be used universally. The author teaches a pattern of asking "What" "Why" and "How" to develop successively...
Other
Robo Z Zle: Puzzle Games
Solve the first level of puzzles and register to solve or create more complex levels.
Other
Fno: A Questioning Toolkit
An article in which Jamie McKenzie states his belief that each district should create a Questioning Toolkit which contains several dozen kinds of questions and questioning tools. Portions of the Questioning Toolkit should be introduced...
Family Education
Family Education: Improving Your Child's Thinking Skills
This article explains that by asking the right kinds of questions, you can help improve a students' thinking skills. This site lists several ideas and types of questions that can help develop a child's critical thinking skills.
Other
Bridge8: Animations: Critical Thinking
A series of six short animated videos teaching critical thinking skills. Each video is about 2 minutes. Comments area at the bottom of the page.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: A Directed Listening Thinking Activity
Lesson which requires middle schoolers to listen to The Tell-Tale Heart read aloud, answer prediction questions during the reading, and write written responses after. Excellent for beginning a mystery unit.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Seuss and Silverstein: Posing Questions, Presenting Points
Contains plans for four lessons that ask students to formulate critical thinking questions and lead class discussions about the issues raised in the books of Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. In addition to objectives and standards, this...
![Rand Corp.: Gifts of the Muse: Reframing Debate About Benefits of the Arts [Pdf] Handout](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Rand Corp.: Gifts of the Muse: Reframing Debate About Benefits of the Arts [Pdf] Handout")
Other
Rand Corp.: Gifts of the Muse: Reframing Debate About Benefits of the Arts [Pdf]
With schools cutting costs, often times arts educators must justify why what they teach is important. This study in pdf format addresses many of the positive outcomes of arts education for students. Many of the benefits relate to 21st...
Other
Harvard Business School: The Path to Critical Thinking by Stever Robbins
An article written by Stever Robbins discussing how to become a critical thinker. This is written from a business perspective but the ideas can easily be applied to education.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Responding to Quotes and Aphorisms
The objective of this lesson plan is to teach students about responding to quotes and aphorisms. This site features a lesson plan with detailed information.
National Health Museum
Access Excellence: Integrating Critical Thinking Skills
This site from Access Excellence explores how, as an educator, you can incorporate critical thinking skills into the classroom. Content focuses on how to cover content so that students can grasp information, engage with the teacher, read...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Test Tutor: Sequence
Students will increase their reading comprehension skills and understanding of story sequence by reading a passage of text and then answering questions about the order of events.
Hopelink
Hopelink: Reading Lesson Idea: Fact or Opinion?
In this lesson, students must learn to recognize the differences between fact and opinion.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Character Education "I Am Me"
Excellent resource for empowering students to become better learners. This lesson plan includes promoting students' understanding of themselves through self-expression, critical thinking skills, and creative writing and thinking skills...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Character Education "Decisions!"
Excellent resource for empowering students to become better learners. This lesson includes helping students develop decision-making skills, promote critical thinking skills, and reflect on their beliefs. Good site.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Character Education "I Would Invent"
Excellent resource for empowering young scholars to become better learners. This activity includes encouraging students to develop an interest in science, to promote critical thinking skills, and to enhance reading and writing skills.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Character Education "Cause & Effect"
Excellent resource for empowering learners to become better learners. This lesson plan includes promoting an interest in science for students, to use critical thinking skills, and to use graphic organizers.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Character Education "Old Wisdom"
Excellent resource for empowering students to become better learners. This lesson includes motivating students to read, encouraging students to use inferential and critical thinking skills, and promoting an understanding and appreciation...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Character Education "Do You Mean?"
Excellent classroom activities for building students' character. Used to motivate students to use higher-level thinking skills, read, and develop an appreciation for their culture. Good resource.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Character Education "Read Write Count"
Excellent classroom activities for building students' character. Activity allows students to build their critical thinking skills, as well as math concepts and the relationships between reading, writing, and thinking.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Character Education "Read Write Count"
Excellent classroom activities for building students' character. Activity allows students to build their critical thinking skills, as well as math concepts and the relationships between reading, writing, and thinking.