Can critical thinking be taught? I had a fifth grade teacher who would say something untrue, pause, and after a silence, ask, "Is no one going to question that statement? Argue with me!"
Can critical thinking be taught? I had a fifth grade teacher who would say something untrue, pause, and after a silence, ask, "Is no one going to question that statement? Argue with me!"
How long ago was that? During the "teacher is always right and always to be respected" years? Time was, children were not (I think) able to respond argumentatively to an adult.
1960’s. Yes we were encouraged to respectfully question authority. This teacher also pointed out errors in our textbooks such as an illustration of a star beside a crescent moon explaining that the dark part of the moon was still there and a star could not be between earth and moon.
Can critical thinking be taught? I had a fifth grade teacher who would say something untrue, pause, and after a silence, ask, "Is no one going to question that statement? Argue with me!"
How long ago was that? During the "teacher is always right and always to be respected" years? Time was, children were not (I think) able to respond argumentatively to an adult.
1960’s. Yes we were encouraged to respectfully question authority. This teacher also pointed out errors in our textbooks such as an illustration of a star beside a crescent moon explaining that the dark part of the moon was still there and a star could not be between earth and moon.
That’s great! Teachers who really make kids think are all too rare!