The document discusses activities and exercises teachers can use to develop critical thinking skills (CTS) in students. It explains that CTS are important for students to efficiently understand and analyze information. The document then lists and describes various classroom activities that can help students develop CTS, including brainstorming, classification, asking open-ended questions, decision-making, group work, accepting different viewpoints, making connections, inspiring creativity, quantitative exercises, and writing papers. These activities encourage students to think independently, consider multiple perspectives, apply knowledge, and express themselves.

1. Applying of CTS in the
Classroom
activities and exercises
Prepared By: Ameer Salman Hussein

2. The Need for CTS (Critical Thinking Skills)
Critical thinking is considered as a very important issue in the
contemporary perspectives of teaching, especially those that
concern the development of creativity teaching processes.
Because that the students need to obtain understand, and
analyze information on a much more efficient way rather than
the traditional ways, So, the application of critical thinking
skills in classroom requires the teacher to have some features
and apply some activities and exercises to achieve a successful
teaching with critical thinking.

3. Activities and exercises of CTS in the classroom
In order to help students to develop their critical thinking skills and
come out with new and uncommon thoughts, it is important for the
teachers to understand that the role they play in developing critical
thinking is different than the role they are typically playing. For
students to be engaged in critical thinking, the teacher needs to act as
a facilitator to allow for discussion and encourage a wider and open
thought process, as well as to encourage understanding of the
different perception of every individual that comes with thinking
critically. Here are some activities and exercises to be applied in
classroom.

4. Giving Only Necessary Help
It is important for the teacher to let the students think for a solution to
any problem at any situation, and provide them with possible help if
it necessary. This process may help them to be self-confident with
their solutions and makes them depend on themselves.

5. Brainstorm
One of the easiest and most effective ways to get young children to
think critically is to brainstorm. It is an excellent learning tool. It’s
also an excellent critical-thinking exercise, especially when paired
with visual elements that bring original thinking and classroom
discussions to life.

6. Classification and Categorization
Classification plays an important role in critical thinking because it requires
students to understand and apply a set of rules. In this activity, the teacher gives
students a variety of objects and asks them to identify each object, then sort it
into a category. This is a great activity to help students think and self-question
what object should go where, and why.

7. Asking Questions
Asking questions, especially open-ended questions, gives elementary
school students a chance to apply what they’ve learned and build on
prior knowledge. It also allows them to problem-solve and boosts
self-esteem by providing an opportunity for students to express
themselves in front of their peers.

8. Encourage Decision-making
Since a large part of teaching critical thinking skills revolves around
applying knowledge and evaluating solutions, elementary school
teachers should encourage decision-making as much as possible. This
enables students to apply what they’ve learned to different situations.

9. Work in Groups (Team Work)
Group projects and discussions are another excellent way for
elementary school teachers to encourage critical thinking skills.
Cooperative learning not only exposes students to the thought
processes of their classmates, it expands their thinking and
worldview by demonstrating that there’s no one right way to
approach a problem. For the online learning, this can be done
through the live chats between the teacher and students.

10. Accept Different Points of View
Some of the very best critical thinking exercises for elementary
school students involve exploring a concept from multiple
perspectives. This tactic not only establishes that an idea should be
assessed from different points of view before an opinion is formed, it
gives students a chance to share their own viewpoints while listening
to and learning from others.

11. Connect Different Ideas
Connecting different ideas is the key to teaching critical thinking. For
example, elementary school teachers can ask students if they know
anyone who has to take a bus to work, and if so, why it would be
important for that person to also have a train schedule. Questions like
these help children consider different situations (delayed buses, for
example) and potential solutions (taking the train instead)

12. Inspire Creativity
Imagination is the key to teaching critical thinking in elementary
school. Teachers should seek out new ways for students to use
information to create something new. Art projects are an excellent
way to do this. Students can also construct inventions, write a story
or poem, create a game, etc.

13. Make Real-life Connections
Encouraging students to make connections to a real-life situation and
identify patterns is a great way to practice their critical thinking
skills. Ask students to always be on the look for these connections,
and when they find one to make sure they tell you.

14. Doing Quantitative Exercises
Providing students with courses such as mathematics, chemistry, and
physics, that require the solution of various mathematical problems,
enables them to think critically to find the correct solution. When
students are required to solve math problems, they are practicing
critical thinking, whether they know it or not.

15. Writing Term Papers
The best way to teach critical thinking is to ask the students to write.
Writing forces students to organize their thoughts, contemplate their
topic, evaluate their data in a logical fashion, and present their
conclusions in a persuasive manner. Good writing is the epitome of
good critical thinking.

16. References:
• Schafersman Steven D. (1991) An Introduction to Critical Thinking. Online Article found in:
http://www.freeinquiry.com/critical-thinking.html
• www.teachhub.com
• www.waldenu.edu

17. Thank you for
Attention