Higher Order Thinking Skills

by papaford in Education, April 5, 2009

The best method for teaching Social Studies is by using higher order thinking skills.

The Critical Thinking Community has a great strategy for clarifying and analyzing to develop the higher order thinking skills as well. In this lesson, the whole class will discuss the Pledge of Allegiance and all that it means. The discussion begins with the meaning of the words “pledge” and “allegiance” and what the flag is really just a symbol of our country. The definition of “symbol” would also be discussed. There are also many opportunities for questions from the students as well as the teacher, expanding the critical thinking skills. “What does “republic” mean?” “What does republic grant us?” “Do other countries have republics?” Dissections can be made for every phrase using dictionaries or the internet. This can be a lively, open group effort and will help everyone learn a great deal about the meaning of the pledge. (The Critical Thinking Community, 2007)

Bibliography

Parker, W. C. (2005). Social Studies in Elementary Education, Twelfth Edition. Columbus: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Poway Unified School District. (2005, Januuary 05). Critical Thinking Strategies: Determining Importance. Retrieved April 19, 2008, from Poway Unified School District Curriculum and Instruction Central: http://www.powayusd.com/projects/literacy/CriticalThinking/DetermineImptce.htm

The Critical Thinking Community. (2007). Foundation For Critical Thinking. Retrieved April 19, 2008, from The Critical Thinking Community web site: http ://www.criticalthinking.org/page.cfm?PageID=464&CategoryID=63