Incorporate current events into critical thinking instruction

 

How can teachers incorporate current events into critical thinking instruction?

Here are some ways teachers can incorporate current events into critical thinking instruction:

1. Choose compelling topics that are relevant to current events to keep students engaged and interested
   1
   .
2. Make local connections to current events to help students see the relevance of critical thinking skills in their own communities
   1
   .
3. Use real-life problems related to current events to help students apply critical thinking skills to real-world situations
   2
   .
4. Ask open-ended questions related to current events to encourage students to think deeply and provide evidence to support their answers
   2
   .
5. Allow time for reflection and discussion related to current events to help students develop their critical thinking skills
   2
   .
6. Use news articles or scientific studies related to current events to help students analyze and evaluate data from real-world sources
   3
   .
7. Encourage students to identify misinformation or unsupported arguments related to current events to help them develop their critical thinking skills
   3
   .
8. Use current events as a starting point for in-depth questioning strategies to help students explore different perspectives and viewpoints
   4
   .
9. Incorporate current events into authentic projects or problems that are relevant to students' lives and interests
   1
   .
10. Use current events as a way to teach students how to think critically about the ideas and information presented in the media
    4
    .

Overall, incorporating current events into critical thinking instruction can help teachers engage students and make critical thinking skills more relevant and meaningful.

Citations:

[1] https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-eight-instructional-strategies-for-promoting-critical-thinking/2021/03

[2] https://teachbetter.com/blog/strategies-to-increase-critical-thinking-skills-in-students/

[3] https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-critical-thinking-middle-high-school/

[4] https://innovativeteachingideas.com/blog/critical-thinking-for-teachers-and-students

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/e82fed58-8c92-4502-9456-be5f214931be

One successful technique the author at 1 uses is the FIRE Write. Students are given a quote, a paragraph, an excerpt, or a photo from the headlines. Students are asked to Focus and respond to the selection for three minutes. Next, students are asked to Identify a phrase or section of the photo and write for two minutes. Third, students are asked to Reframe their response around a specific word, phrase, or section within their previous selection. Finally, students Exchange their thoughts with a classmate. Within the exchange, students also talk about how the selection connects to what we are covering in class.