To what extent do you teach, model, and have students engage in critical thinking? Is it important? What do you need to learn to feel comfortable with critical thinking?
I'm posting my blog entry after I've read everyone else's this week. I just have to say it's been interesting and inspiring to read how everyone else is incorporating such an important skill in their work environments. If you've read my comments, you might think I'm a little cynical about this whole topic... and you might be right. I am just struggling as a classroom teacher right now. This year, more than any other in the past, I feel I'm under an extreme amount of pressure to get my kids to perform well on tests. Our school, which is a full Title I school in Gwinnett County, barely made AYP last year. Because of this, our principal has taken over much of the decision making in our classrooms, which has pushed many of us back into the skill-and-drill mode. I've even found myself telling my kids (in a nice way, of course- they're in 3rd grade) that the information is being provided... and that if they're not paying attention, it's their fault and problem. I've been flying through lessons... delivering content from the front of the room... talking at the students, not with them. I'm ready to slow down and provide the opportunities for critical thinking that we've been discussing. I'm ready to start making the time to inspire learning through activities that demand these higher order skills. I just need to take what I'm learning... about finding the little moments of the day (thanks Lisa) to ask my students to use these skills... about turning a unit chalk-full of curriculum and turning it into an opportunity for students to use available resources to drive their thoughts to find their own solutions to problems. In stressful times, it's easy to take back control of things. I need to go back to believing that it is the students that can find the best answers for themselves. Critical thinking is a key to constructivist thinking, and it needs to re-become a key for my focus in the classroom, despite the demands being put on us. I know I can get back to it... I just need to shake the jitters and go back to what I know works.
I've rambled a lot today. I'll see you in class Tuesday!
Mark
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2 comments:
I think you probably know my opinion already about the tests. They prove nothing except that students either have or haven't learned how to test well. They don't test or increase emphasis on higher-order thinking skills; they just make it necessary for teachers to waste valuable instructional time preparing and administering the tests.
It's a soapbox for me, but I don't think there is much we can do about it, which is unfortunate.
If we are comparing anything in education, we should be measuring how far students have come from where they personally started; not comparing kids in one part of the state with kids in another part of the state or the country.
All of the emphasis on testing makes it even more of a challenge to find time during the school day to concentrate on critical thinking. We just have to find ways to do what's best for students in spite of the myriad of other pressures that are thrown upon us as educators. It never gets any easier to be a public school teacher!
Mark,
I watch my colleagues in the classroom and wonder how in the world they can do one more thing that is mandated by powers from above. There are so many good teachers out there that are being stifled! I am glad that my little scenario has given you a some hope. It is amazing how often we tell kids what to do when we should be asking them to figure out what they should do. Your right employers and in fact our world needs people who can solve problems not just follow directions!
Lisa
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