Becoming a Critical Thinker : A Workbook to Help Students Think Well in an Age of Disinformation

A practical resource to grow students’ ability to think well in an age of information overload At a time when we’re constantly flooded with contradictory information and opinions, critical thinking skills are more important than ever. This accessible workbook is full of valuable insights, thought-provoking questions, and useful exercises to help teens and preteens expand their perspectives, skillfully navigate thorny issues, recognize bias, identify misinformation, and become more comfortable with dissent and differences of opinion. Becoming a Critical Thinker offers essential tools for students to mature into thoughtful, curious, and empathetic learners. CONTENTS Preface Introduction Part One THE FOUNDATION: UNDERSTANDING CRITICAL THINKING Lesson One: The Academic Selfie Lesson Two: Says Who? Lesson Three: Fab Vocab Quick-Write Lesson Four: The Fact Strainer Lesson Five: Itch to Fit Lesson Six: Silent Films Lesson Seven: Silent Films and Social Issues Lesson Eight: Headlines and Chyrons Lesson Nine: Spot the Misinformation! Lesson Ten: Red Flags Waving Lesson Eleven: Identity and the Worldview Grid Lesson Twelve: “I Am From” Poem Part Two THE PRACTICE: GROWING YOUR THINKING SKILLS Lesson One: Symbolic Dictionary Lesson Two: Visual Journal Lesson Three: Reading Widely Lesson Four: Reading Deeply Lesson Five: Three Kinds of “Doing” Lesson Six: Break the Rules Lesson Seven: Perspective-Taking and Tolerance Lesson Eight: Coffeehouse Conversations Lesson Nine: One Memory, Two Stories Lesson Ten: Clean Communication Part Three THE APPLICATION: LEARNING THE ART OF INTERPRETATION Lesson One: The Body Inventory Lesson Two: Framing the Argument Lesson Three: Radical Difference Lesson Four: Movie Reviews Lesson Five: A Lens with a View Lesson Six: The Art of Interpretation Lesson Seven: Account for Everyone Lesson Eight: The Believing Game Lesson Nine: The Courage to Change Your Mind Lesson Ten: Open Artificial Intelligence Congratulations! About the Author