1. Characteristics
Generate as many characteristics of critical thinking and a critical thinker as possible.

2. With a partner...
Look at the items on your lists and take all of those characteristics and break them down into a Top 5 list.
Casey Kasem says, “This week’s Top 40 dedication goes out to all the teachers working on the Common Core”.

3. In a group of 4…
Compare your Top 5 lists noting the similarities and differences and create a super Top 5 list to share with the group as a whole.

4. Characteristics Skeptical Open-minded Fair-minded
Respect evidence and reasoning
Respect clarity and precision
Look at different points of view
Will change positions when reason leads them to do so.

5. Arguments
Critical thinking involves identifying, evaluating, and constructing arguments.

6. Argument Criteria Relevant, accurate facts Based on credible sources
Precise
Unbiased
Consistent
Arguments and thoughts meet a certain criteria.

7. Point of View
The way one views the world, which shapes one's construction of meaning. In a search for understanding, critical thinkers view phenomena from many different points of view.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
- spoken by Atticus Finch, by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird