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Article Post

06 Jul 2023

by   Shahzia Ghafoor

How to Use Big Questions to Develop Critical Thinking Skills in the Primary Classroom

Critical Thinking Skills (CTS) are skills with which children debate a statement. They are specifically taught and include (but are not limited to): asking questions, analysing the statement, reasoning about what it means, communicating with others in a debate and problem-solving to come out in support of one side of the debate. This article will explore the need for teaching CTS in the classroom with examples of things to try.

Why teach critical thinking skills?

Throughout my twenty years as a teacher, I have always found the sharpest students (those with sound argument, not the most intelligent) are those who can hold their own in a debate. Whether that be a classroom debate about why schools should not have a uniform, or a slanging match in the playground about who is the better footballer. Students who have the capacity to hear an argument and formulate a response instantaneously, have all the hallmarks of a leader and now - more commonly - an influencer. 

On a world stage, the leaders with the most influence are those who can persuade others to their way of thinking - think beauty companies, fashion houses, politicians and social media influencers. How do they do it? Critical thinking skills (CTS): a structured way of thinking involving analysis of ideas and constructing a viewpoint.  

As societies move towards a greater need for intellectual intelligence, I can foresee the most successful generations will be those whose students are taught to persuade others of their point of view. So if CTS can empower leaders to have the most influence in decision-making, then we have to teach these skills explicitly to young people, right?

Using big questions to teach critical thinking skills

Why should we reduce our carbon footprint, when the world’s governments are not role-modelling their expectations?  

If we should look after animals, why do we eat them?

These are examples of big questions (BQ). Both children and philosophers share the instinct to question, and kids start to question the world around them at an early age. BQs are those  ‘deeper thinking questions’ , which require students to think above and beyond their everyday experiences to formulate a response. 

A book like   Get To Know: Philosophy encourages and magnifies that natural inquisitiveness. We don’t teach philosophy as part of the UK primary curriculum, but the principles behind the CTS used in philosophy are so valuable and can be easily developed in the primary classroom.

In class, I give my students enough  thinking time  to come up with an answer. They think about the question by talking it through with a peer and then write down some ideas to give feedback to the class. In a debate, the thought process can be streamlined using CTS to formulate and present an argument. 

There are many CTS, but for the sake of application in the classroom, I have whittled them down to five stages: asking questions, analysis, reasoning, communication and problem-solving. There is a little more detail about each stage further on in this article. Training a student to develop CTS is about repetitive practice at each stage. That way, the learner builds a logical way of thinking, which they can rely on when they come upon new questions and new ideas.

As the RE lead, I have made BQ part of the pedagogy of all RE lessons across the school. Now, all children from KS1-KS2 practise CTS at least once a week. I use BQ to start a debate. 

For example, when learning about Hinduism, I asked my students,  ‘What do you think Brahman does?’ After five minutes of chatting with their peers, some said,  ‘He looks after everyone’ . To get them to think a little deeper, I then asked,  ‘Why do you think he would do that?’ This is where students got the chance to build a response. They suggested reasons based on their own experience of faith or no faith as to why an unseen God would want to look after everyone. 

Learners can then continue to use their CTS to justify or disprove each other’s points. It is this logical reasoning that demonstrates the use of CTS in the classroom. RE does not need to be the gatekeeper of BQ; they can be used to develop CTS in all subjects. More about CTS in various curriculum subjects later.

Critical thinking skills and SMSC: a whole school approach

As BQ give rise to discussion, with logical arguments, they can also be useful in non-academic areas of school life as part of a wider SMSC remit. SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Schools are required to demonstrate children’s understanding of British Values, as per DfE guidance. 

Once embedded in the school’s ethos and curriculum, BQ can be a useful tool for debate in all strands of British Values to deliver on SMSC:

Respect for the rule of law – An example might be: UK prisoner reoffending rates stand at 20-30%. So if 1 in 5 prisoners reoffend after they have served their sentence - why is there no respect for the rule of law? Or why is the rule of law not working?

Individual liberty – An example might be: Individual liberty promotes the freedom of speech and free-thinking, so why are there laws against hate crimes such as race?

Democracy – An example might be: Why should I raise my hand in class, when I never get picked? Or I didn’t vote for the Pupil Leader in my class, so why should I support their actions?

Mutual respect for and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs – An example might be: For all children in this country, the most valuable culture to learn about is British. So why is there a need for Cultural Heritage Day, or Black History Month?

A book such as Our World in Pictures: Countries, Cultures, People & Places is perfect for initiating BQ, such as Why do so many places have monuments or statues? What is their purpose and importance? or It’s interesting and important to learn about places and cultures around the world. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

BQ and CTS can even be brought into displays and assemblies. Interactive displays in corridors and classrooms can invite children to think more deeply through carefully-worded questions. Assemblies could regularly start with, end with or feature one or more BQ to encourage CTS to be applied to topics or issues that may not be addressed through curriculum lessons.

Critical thinking strands

There are many viewpoints on the different elements of CTS. As previously mentioned, I find these five strands, or steps, to be the most useful to develop in the classroom:

• Asking questions
• Communication
• Problem-Solving

1) Asking questions

This is the most important part of structuring a debate to develop CTS. John Coleman at the Harvard Business Review suggests, ‘at the heart of critical thinking is the ability to formulate deep, different, and effective questions’.

I have found that the best questions should be open and provide students with the opportunity to come to more than one conclusion and to change their views upon persuasion.

When training teachers on how to use CTS, there are two simple steps:

• Set the context. It is useful for students to be able to rely on pictures as a visual stimulus, videos with a moral lesson to set the tone, a story or storyboard to show a sequence of events, tables or charts that show data or a text that can be referred to.
• KS1 - Provide a simple statement and let children give a reason for their answer. For example, Easter is a time for Christians to remember God. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Explain your reasons. KS2 - Students play devil’s advocate, by supporting an unpopular position, to get their defences going. For example, Rama killed the demon king to save Sita - was this the right thing to do?

2) Analysis

The analysis stage involves students interpreting the question in context. They work out what is being asked and begin to formulate a viewpoint using their knowledge and experiences.

3) Reasoning

At the reasoning stage, students need ample thinking time to develop their arguments. They need to write down different arguments for one point of view , working collaboratively in pairs or groups. Give students time to brainstorm their arguments and then ask each other if the ideas hold up.

4) Communication

This is the debate stage. Students get a chance to express their arguments and listen to others’ viewpoints in a debate. They build on or challenge each other’s ideas based on their own logic and reasoning. During a debate, oral learning interventions can help to structure an argument. 

5) Problem-solving

The last strand of the CTS structure is when students come to a final conclusion or choose a side, having set out their position. In the real world, this skill is most useful when leading and maximising influence over others. 

Useful strategies for developing critical thinking skills with pupils

Teachers can use a range of strategies to teach BQ in class to ensure their students develop CTS. Below are some strategies I have used in class to develop CTS, with their impact evidenced by Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).

1) Oral language interventions allow children time to practise their language skills in structured speaking and listening activities. In my school, we call it Oracy. It can involve reading aloud, active listening, providing speaking frames to structure thoughts, providing vocabulary to use in discussion or providing sentence starters to begin arguments. Oral language interventions become key in arming children with the tools to voice their views when answering BQ. When I have worked with students from an EAL background, scaffolds are essential to express a point of view. The EEF states that oral language interventions have a high impact on students for a very low cost to the school, based on  extensive evidence .

2) Collaborative learning, aka peer or small group work, ensures all students participate in a task. This kind of activity encourages discussion of ideas and problem-solving. Ultimately, everyone in the group has to contribute to complete the task. The approach allows students to: create arguments for and against a big question, choose one viewpoint to persuade others and work through counter-arguments in debate. The  EEF report on collaborative learning suggests there is a high impact for students with a low cost to the school, although evidence is limited.

Applying critical thinking skills in curriculum subjects

CTS can be developed in all subjects. Below are some ways teachers can give them a go in lessons. 

• Reading comprehension - ‘Simone sighed and slumped her back against the gnarled trunk of the old chestnut tree.’  KS1 question:  Simone is a moody character. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
• English Writing - “Mum, I’m off, can you put some money in my account? Thanks, Fam!” Ali shouted from the doorway. KS3 question: When a character uses slang, we create a perception of who they are and where they come from. This reduces our expectations of them. Why?
• Maths - using reasoning in word problems for children to explain their mathematical understanding.
• Science - formulating scientific enquiry questions.
• PE  - exploring the impact of technical movement before or after an action.
• RE - exploring the aspects of celebrations that are similar and different in religions.
• Art - debating the use of art in a specific context.
• Design - reasoning about the use of sustainable materials in poor countries.
• Computing  – debating the use of AI to support learning.
• Music - debating the use of music for more advantaged people vs less advantaged people.
• Humanities - mitigating the impact of natural hazards.
• PSHE, Relationships and Health Education – the  Children’s Book of Philosophy asks,  What is happiness? and,  Is my mind different from my body?
• Citizenship – discussing notions of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and how societies agree on laws.

High-quality non-fiction books are often a great tool to prompt BQs in various subjects. A book like Knowledge Encyclopedia: Earth! can spark BQs about topics like the importance of forests and why the glaciers are melting. In fact, I’m thinking that when it comes to the environment and climate change, future generations of critical thinkers are exactly what our planet needs!

I firmly believe that if we teach CTS from a young age, we prepare our children to express themselves, listen to others, reason their point of view, challenge ideas, innovate and influence others. But most of all, we give them the tools to be confident and courageous when facing the world.

Shahzia Ghafoor is a primary teacher with a passion for all things education. She leads RE at her school and is the Year 3 lead. Shahzia is currently completing an NPQSL course and hopes to coach and mentor new teachers in the future. Her hobbies are cooking and fitness, and she likes a siesta in the afternoon!

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Critical Thinking Worksheets

• Brain Teasers - A great way to stimulate thinking. Don't worry, they come complete with answer keys.
• Compare and Contrast - Students examine differences and similarities in a variety situations.
• Dictionary Practice Worksheets - Practice your dictionary skills.
• Fact And Opinion - Students determine the validity of a body of work.
• How Many Are There? - Fun activities for examining patterns.
• Internet Search Worksheets - Fun Internet searches for students.
• Logic Puzzle - Each scenario is thought provoking. Lots of brain power needed here.
• Making Predictions - A good warm-up for inferences.
• Mazes - Your run-of-the-mill start and finish mazes.
• Name People That ...- Good creative thinking exercises.
• Name Places That ...- Good creative thinking exercises.
• Name Things That ...- Good creative thinking exercises.
• Secret Code - Students answer riddles through secret codes.
• Study Skills Worksheets - Great for test preparation.
• Sorting and Classifying - Great for meeting national standards.
• What Do You Remember? - A visual memory activity.

Activities That Improve Student Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is perhaps the most important skill we need. It is paramount not just for job success but also for making the best decisions in crucial life matters.

As an educator, you should explain to your students that almost all our mistakes can be attributed to a lack of critical thinking. You can pick just about any big blunder you made in the past. You will invariably find that it transpired because of a failure to think critically.

Remember, the best thing you can do as a teacher is to inculcate a strong sense of critical thinking in your students.

Here are the activities that will help students to develop critical thinking.

Discuss Cognitive Biases

There are myriad cognitive biases.

The fact of the matter is we succumb to these biases at some point in our lives. Hence, it pays to study these biases.

You can pick those biases you think are the most detrimental and insidious. You should then explain them to your students to learn to identify and avoid these biases.

Perhaps the most dangerous bias by far is the Optimism bias. It may sound rather innocuous because of the word ‘optimism’. However, it is far more sinister in reality.

Optimism bias tends to think that bad things won't happen to us - they will happen to others only. For example, many think they won't suffer a fatal car crash. Hence, some get involved in overspeeding and texting while driving despite knowing their perils. No wonder these two reckless acts are the main reasons for fatal car crashes.

Writing About Biases

After elucidating various biases and providing simple examples to help them grasp these concepts, you can instruct your students to write about adverse events in their lives when they succumbed to these biases.

What did you learn? What were the consequences? These are further questions you can ask.

Talking about one’s mistakes is never easy. It is hard to concede that we are wrong at times. However, if we want to become better human beings and find success, we must learn from our mistakes. But the first step entails admitting one’s mistakes.

This will also instill humility and reduce overconfidence.

Avoiding Biases – The Easy Way 

All biases and ensuring blunders are avoidable with one simple trick.

It just takes one word to get smarter – “why”. That is, you should question everything. As simple as that.

In particular, you should question all that you do and think.

Write it down first whenever you are about to take action or form an opinion about something. Then in front of it, just write “why?” You can then brainstorm and write for and against the idea in logical points.

If you make this a regular habit, you will avoid many mistakes and regrets. You will also maximize positive returns from your decisions.

Explain It to a 6-Year Old

This is something that can greatly benefit students in their academic endeavors.

We are inclined to think that we understand what has been just said. But just nodding along is not enough. You should be able to explain it to others.

The good news is that this goes far beyond altruism. In truth, it is self-empowerment. When you explain an abstruse concept to others, you bolster your own understanding of the same. Reiterating something embeds it more deeply into your long-term memory.

The social factor may also be beneficial and fruitful.

Do Your Research

Teach students to challenge common perceptions and conventional wisdom.

Explain carefully that this entails walking a fine line. You don't want to be dismissive, nor do you want to be naive. Instead, you should have an open mind and a willingness to do your research carefully.

Inform students about consulting reliable online sources. Explain that it is best to consider multiple authentic sources. Don't be satisfied with just the first entry in Google search results.

Here's how you can instill the importance of research in your students.

Instruct your students to research air pollution in the US. Those who do their research more meticulously will find that indoor air pollution is far deadlier than outdoor air pollution.

Tell them that they found out this key health fact courtesy of research. You can further instruct them to find ways of mitigating these risks.

Motivate your students to do research by telling them that they will be pleasantly surprised at the wealth of knowledge that they can uncover via dedicated research.

Beware of Disinformation

Disinformation is ubiquitous these days. It has become a weapon of choice for bad actors ranging from rogue states to unscrupulous individuals.

Critical thinking can help dispel misinformation and prevent you from becoming its victim.

You should help kids to detect and deal with weapons of mass distraction.

There was a time when fake news was disseminated largely via social media.

It is being spread by state-sponsored groups masquerading as legitimate media outlets on the internet. The scope and scale of these fake news campaigns are staggering to say the least.

One such fake news campaign involved no less than 750 fake sites posing as media outlets. Disinformation from this notorious racket reached millions around the globe and even found its way to UN and European Parliament meetings.

You can instruct kids in your class to do a project on internet disinformation, complete with case studies. You should also tell them to write about all possible ways to spot fakes and scams.

Bottom Line

Shown above are the activities to develop critical thinking in students.

You might agree that cultivating this key ability in your students is one of the best things you did for them. 

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Secondary lesson resources

Resources for one-off lessons or multiple lessons about critical literacy and fake news. There are also links to quizzes and videos which you could use as a short activity within a lesson.

If you want advice on how to approach this subject, check out our guide to teaching secondary students about fake news .

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Other pages you may be interested in

• Displays and classroom resources Posters and other display materials which you can use to help keep your students informed about fake news and media literacy. Learn more
• Staff training Resources and training sessions which can help staff be better prepared to teach about fake news and the media. Learn more

Educationise

11 Activities That Promote Critical Thinking In The Class

52 Critical Thinking Flashcards for Problem Solving

Critical thinking activities encourage individuals to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to develop informed opinions and make reasoned decisions. Engaging in such exercises cultivates intellectual agility, fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues and honing problem-solving skills for navigating an increasingly intricate world. Through critical thinking, individuals empower themselves to challenge assumptions, uncover biases, and constructively contribute to discourse, thereby enriching both personal growth and societal progress.

Critical thinking serves as the cornerstone of effective problem-solving, enabling individuals to dissect challenges, explore diverse perspectives, and devise innovative solutions grounded in logic and evidence. For engaging problem solving activities, read our article problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is a 21st-century skill that enables a person to think rationally and logically in order to reach a plausible conclusion. A critical thinker assesses facts and figures and data objectively and determines what to believe and what not to believe. Critical thinking skills empower a person to decipher complex problems and make impartial and better decisions based on effective information.

More Articles from Educationise

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• 8 Free Math Problem Solving Websites and Applications

Critical thinking skills cultivate habits of mind such as strategic thinking, skepticism, discerning fallacy from the facts, asking good questions and probing deep into the issues to find the truth.

Importance of Acquiring Critical Thinking Skills

Acquiring critical thinking skills was never as valuable as it is today because of the prevalence of the modern knowledge economy. Today, information and technology are the driving forces behind the global economy. To keep pace with ever-changing technology and new inventions, one has to be flexible enough to embrace changes swiftly.

Read our article: How to Foster Critical Thinking Skills in Students? Creative Strategies and Real-World Examples

Today critical thinking skills are one of the most sought-after skills by the companies. In fact, critical thinking skills are paramount not only for active learning and academic achievement but also for the professional career of the students. The lack of critical thinking skills catalyzes memorization of the topics without a deeper insight, egocentrism, closed-mindedness, reduced student interest in the classroom and not being able to make timely and better decisions.

Benefits of Critical Thinking Skills in Education

Certain strategies are more eloquent than others in teaching students how to think critically. Encouraging critical thinking in the class is indispensable for the learning and growth of the students. In this way, we can raise a generation of innovators and thinkers rather than followers. Some of the benefits offered by thinking critically in the classroom are given below:

• It allows a student to decipher problems and think through the situations in a disciplined and systematic manner
• Through a critical thinking ability, a student can comprehend the logical correlation between distinct ideas
• The student is able to rethink and re-justify his beliefs and ideas based on facts and figures
• Critical thinking skills make the students curious about things around them
• A student who is a critical thinker is creative and always strives to come up with out of the box solutions to intricate problems
• Critical thinking skills assist in the enhanced student learning experience in the classroom and prepares the students for lifelong learning and success
• The critical thinking process is the foundation of new discoveries and inventions in the world of science and technology
• The ability to think critically allows the students to think intellectually and enhances their presentation skills, hence they can convey their ideas and thoughts in a logical and convincing manner
• Critical thinking skills make students a terrific communicator because they have logical reasons behind their ideas

Critical Thinking Lessons and Activities

11 Activities that Promote Critical Thinking in the Class

We have compiled a list of 11 activities that will facilitate you to promote critical thinking abilities in the students. We have also covered problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest in our another article. Click here to read it.

1. Worst Case Scenario

Divide students into teams and introduce each team with a hypothetical challenging scenario. Allocate minimum resources and time to each team and ask them to reach a viable conclusion using those resources. The scenarios can include situations like stranded on an island or stuck in a forest. Students will come up with creative solutions to come out from the imaginary problematic situation they are encountering. Besides encouraging students to think critically, this activity will enhance teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills of the students.

Read our article: 10 Innovative Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom

2. If You Build It

It is a very flexible game that allows students to think creatively. To start this activity, divide students into groups. Give each group a limited amount of resources such as pipe cleaners, blocks, and marshmallows etc. Every group is supposed to use these resources and construct a certain item such as building, tower or a bridge in a limited time. You can use a variety of materials in the classroom to challenge the students. This activity is helpful in promoting teamwork and creative skills among the students.

It is also one of the classics which can be used in the classroom to encourage critical thinking. Print pictures of objects, animals or concepts and start by telling a unique story about the printed picture. The next student is supposed to continue the story and pass the picture to the other student and so on.

4. Keeping it Real

In this activity, you can ask students to identify a real-world problem in their schools, community or city. After the problem is recognized, students should work in teams to come up with the best possible outcome of that problem.

5. Save the Egg

Make groups of three or four in the class. Ask them to drop an egg from a certain height and think of creative ideas to save the egg from breaking. Students can come up with diverse ideas to conserve the egg like a soft-landing material or any other device. Remember that this activity can get chaotic, so select the area in the school that can be cleaned easily afterward and where there are no chances of damaging the school property.

6. Start a Debate

In this activity, the teacher can act as a facilitator and spark an interesting conversation in the class on any given topic. Give a small introductory speech on an open-ended topic. The topic can be related to current affairs, technological development or a new discovery in the field of science. Encourage students to participate in the debate by expressing their views and ideas on the topic. Conclude the debate with a viable solution or fresh ideas generated during the activity through brainstorming.

7. Create and Invent

This project-based learning activity is best for teaching in the engineering class. Divide students into groups. Present a problem to the students and ask them to build a model or simulate a product using computer animations or graphics that will solve the problem. After students are done with building models, each group is supposed to explain their proposed product to the rest of the class. The primary objective of this activity is to promote creative thinking and problem-solving skills among the students.

8. Select from Alternatives

This activity can be used in computer science, engineering or any of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) classes. Introduce a variety of alternatives such as different formulas for solving the same problem, different computer codes, product designs or distinct explanations of the same topic.

Form groups in the class and ask them to select the best alternative. Each group will then explain its chosen alternative to the rest of the class with reasonable justification of its preference. During the process, the rest of the class can participate by asking questions from the group. This activity is very helpful in nurturing logical thinking and analytical skills among the students.

9. Reading and Critiquing

Present an article from a journal related to any topic that you are teaching. Ask the students to read the article critically and evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the article. Students can write about what they think about the article, any misleading statement or biases of the author and critique it by using their own judgments.

In this way, students can challenge the fallacies and rationality of judgments in the article. Hence, they can use their own thinking to come up with novel ideas pertaining to the topic.

10. Think Pair Share

In this activity, students will come up with their own questions. Make pairs or groups in the class and ask the students to discuss the questions together. The activity will be useful if the teacher gives students a topic on which the question should be based.

For example, if the teacher is teaching biology, the questions of the students can be based on reverse osmosis, human heart, respiratory system and so on. This activity drives student engagement and supports higher-order thinking skills among students.

11. Big Paper – Silent Conversation

Silence is a great way to slow down thinking and promote deep reflection on any subject. Present a driving question to the students and divide them into groups. The students will discuss the question with their teammates and brainstorm their ideas on a big paper. After reflection and discussion, students can write their findings in silence. This is a great learning activity for students who are introverts and love to ruminate silently rather than thinking aloud.

Read our next article: 10 Innovative Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom

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Critical-Thinking Activities

Subject: Cross-curricular topics

Age range: 11 - 18

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

22 February 2018

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Critical thinking and problem solving Video

Participating in a research project involves successfully collecting information. Questionnaires and interviews are popular ways of gathering quantitative and qualitative information.

Part of National: Foundation KS4 Individual project

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So many questions… but which ones are best for a clear and effective questionnaire?

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Join the Center for Critical Thinking Community Online

The Foundation and Center for Critical Thinking are pleased to invite you the Center for Critical Thinking Community Online . This interactive learning and communications platform provides subscribers a place to develop together as reasoners through a multitude of avenues, including:

• A self-paced Academy , where you will find dozens of interactive learning activities for you (and your students); these can be completed, saved, and shared with others and in class.
• The world's largest online critical thinking Library, containing Thinker's Guides, articles, books, and countless hours of video.
• Study Groups – join one, or create your own!

• "The Newsroom" – comment on articles dealing with some aspect or application of critical thinking, and rate how well each article adheres to the Intellectual Standards.
• A Critical Thinking Blog with entries by Dr. Linda Elder, international expert on critical thinking, and specimens from the archives of Dr. Richard Paul, founder of the modern critical thinking movement.  
• Exclusive Open Q&A Sessions with our Fellows, in which members can ask about specific components or applications of critical thinking. 
• Guided Study Groups , in which our experts help you develop your critical thinking through live meetings and carefully-designed assignments.

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Logic Problem Worksheets

Customize logic problem worksheets.

If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

Exploring Logic Problem Worksheets

Incorporating logic puzzle worksheets into your teaching or parenting repertoire is a great way to engage students, exercise their minds, and foster critical thinking skills. Whether you're focusing on math challenges, geometry, or general logical thinking, these puzzles offer a free and enjoyable way for students to practice and improve their problem-solving abilities. So, print some riddles worksheets today, and watch your students' logical thinking skills flourish.

Logic Problem Worksheet Ideas

• Geometry Challenge Quest (Geometry Logic Worksheets): High school students solve geometry puzzles using worksheets. They apply geometric knowledge to crack codes and find hidden treasures.
• Logic Olympics (Logic Puzzle Worksheets for High School): High school students compete in solving challenging puzzles, earning points for correct solutions in a friendly Olympics competition.
• Logical Detective Challenge (Proof Worksheet): Students act as detectives, using proof worksheets to solve a fictional crime by constructing logical proofs based on evidence.
• Building Logical Bridges (Logic Model Worksheet): Students use model worksheets to create flowcharts and decision trees, helping them visualize and understand complex processes.
• Escape Room: The Logic Lab (Logic Puzzles for 5th Graders): 5th graders work together to escape a virtual lab by solving puzzles, deciphering clues, and unlocking locks.
• Picnic Adventure (3rd Grade Logic Problems): 3rd graders embark on a virtual picnic adventure filled with problems to foster critical thinking and logic skills while having fun.

Steps to Make a Logic Problem Worksheet

• Choose a Theme or Scenario: Choose a theme or subject for your worksheet to engage students with context.
• Determine the Rules and Constraints: Set rules and constraints for your puzzle, specifying the number of elements and conditions for solving it according to how difficult or child friendly you want it to be.
• Craft Clues and Hints: Create clear, concise clues logically linked to the puzzle's theme and rules to guide students to the solution.
• Create a Grid or Structure: Design a grid or structure to aid students in organizing information and deductions, tailored to the type of puzzle being created. Grids are commonly employed for tracking potential solutions.
• Test and Refine: Test the worksheet for a unique, solvable solution and adjust difficulty as required to maintain engagement.
• Format and Present: Format the worksheet for clarity and visual appeal, making it easy to read and understand. Ensure it fits standard paper if printed and includes clear instructions, or use user-friendly online formats like PDFs when sharing it digitally.

Storyboard That Resources and Free Printables

Whether you prefer to engage in problem-solving activities on paper or through digital interfaces, there's a versatile learning tool for you, from traditional pen-and-paper exercises to interactive worksheet logic puzzles. Printable worksheets are an alternative to hands-on interactive experiences, and they differ from solving a logic problem online in that they make students engage in dynamic, real-time challenges that encourage active critical thinking. Storyboard That is the ideal online platform for crafting a wide range of educational materials, including printable logic puzzles worksheets. Whether you need logic problems for high school students or logic problems 3rd-graders can solve Storyboard That's user-friendly interface and pre-made templates streamline the process. You can also adapt these materials for online use, ensuring accessibility and flexibility. Storyboard That also provides the convenience of creating logic problems worksheets that are not only engaging but also easily printable, making it a versatile tool for educators seeking to enhance critical thinking skills in students of all ages.

• Cause and Effect Worksheets
• Sequencing Worksheets
• Problem Solving Worksheets
• Making Predictions Worksheets

How to Make a Logic Problems Worksheet

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on "Copy Template"

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions about Logic Problems Worksheets

How do logic problem worksheets benefit students.

Logic problem worksheets help students develop critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. They also improve attention to detail, logical deduction, and the ability to work with complex information.

Are there different types of logic problems, and if so, what are some examples?

Yes, there are various types of logic problems, including grid logic puzzles (e.g., Sudoku), cryptic crosswords, logic grid puzzles, and math logic problems. Each type presents unique challenges for students.

Do logic problem worksheets only focus on math-related content?

No, logic problem worksheets can cover a wide range of topics and are not limited to math. They can incorporate language, science, history, and more, depending on the chosen theme or scenario.

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Critical thinking definition

Critical thinking, as described by Oxford Languages, is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement.

Active and skillful approach, evaluation, assessment, synthesis, and/or evaluation of information obtained from, or made by, observation, knowledge, reflection, acumen or conversation, as a guide to belief and action, requires the critical thinking process, which is why it's often used in education and academics.

Some even may view it as a backbone of modern thought.

However, it's a skill, and skills must be trained and encouraged to be used at its full potential.

People turn up to various approaches in improving their critical thinking, like:

• Developing technical and problem-solving skills
• Engaging in more active listening
• Actively questioning their assumptions and beliefs
• Seeking out more diversity of thought
• Opening up their curiosity in an intellectual way etc.

Is critical thinking useful in writing?

Critical thinking can help in planning your paper and making it more concise, but it's not obvious at first. We carefully pinpointed some the questions you should ask yourself when boosting critical thinking in writing:

• What information should be included?
• Which information resources should the author look to?
• What degree of technical knowledge should the report assume its audience has?
• What is the most effective way to show information?
• How should the report be organized?
• How should it be designed?
• What tone and level of language difficulty should the document have?

Usage of critical thinking comes down not only to the outline of your paper, it also begs the question: How can we use critical thinking solving problems in our writing's topic?

Let's say, you have a Powerpoint on how critical thinking can reduce poverty in the United States. You'll primarily have to define critical thinking for the viewers, as well as use a lot of critical thinking questions and synonyms to get them to be familiar with your methods and start the thinking process behind it.

Are there any services that can help me use more critical thinking?

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