Developing Questions for Critical Thinking

Understanding

Can your students grasp the meaning of information by interpreting and translating what has been learned?

Consider your role as the teacher....	Think about the student role...
Demonstrate Listen Question Compare Contrast Examine	Explain Describe Outline Restate Translate Demonstrate Interpret Actively participate

Skills to be demonstrated by students include...

the ability to explain ideas or concepts
understand information
grasp meaning
translate knowledge into new context
interpret facts, compare, contrast
order, group, infer causes
predict consequences

Key words to consider as you develop objectives and questions...
account for annotate appreciate apprehend associate be aware of be familiar with cite classify compare comprehend contrast convert	define demonstrate describe discuss empathize estimate explain fathom figure out generalize give examples of give main idea	grasp identify illustrate infer interpret know make sense out of observe outline paraphrase recognize	relate reorganize research restate retell rephrase review show summarize trace translate understand

Sample Questions

How would you classify the type of...?
How would you compare...? Contrast...?
Will you state or interpret in your own words...?
How would you rephrase the meaning...?
What facts or ideas show...?
What is the main idea of...?
Which statements support...?
Can you explain what is happening...? What is meant...?
What can you say about...?
Which is the best answer...?
How would you summarize...?
Can you explain why…?
Can you write in your own words?
How would you explain…?
Can you write a brief outline...?
What do you think could have happened next...?
Who do you think...?
Can you clarify…?
Can you illustrate…?
Does everyone act in the way that …….. does?

Possible Projects/Assignments

Cut out or draw pictures to show a particular event.
Illustrate what you think the main idea was.
Make a cartoon strip showing the sequence of events.
Write and perform a play based on the story.
Retell the story in your words.
Paint a picture of some aspect you like.
Write a summary report of an event.
Prepare a flow chart to illustrate the sequence of events.
Make a coloring book.