1. Teaching Higher-Order Thinking Skills Dr. Yu-Lan Lin Boston Public Schools ylin@boston.k12.ma.us

2. Elements of Critical Thinking Skills Observation Facts Inferences Assumptions Opinions Arguments Critical Analysis

3. Different Types of Thinking: Critical Thinking Creative Thinking Convergent Thinking Divergent Thinking Inductive Thinking Deductive Thinking Close/Open Questions

4. Bloom’s Taxonomy Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

5. Ability to Think Problem solving Decision making Systems thinking Critical, analytical thinking Imagining situations Forming hypothesis Transferring learning to new situations

6. How to Foster Higher-Order Thinking Multi-level materials Flexible grouping Accept and celebrate diversity Print-rich environment High expectations Teacher as co-learner Nurture risk-taking

7. Activities that Foster Higher-Order Thinking Collaborative activities Problem-solving activities Open-ended activities Multiple intelligences activities Inquiry/discovery-based activities

8. Questions that Foster Higher-Order Thinking Key /Essential questions Open-ended questions “Why” questions “How” questions

9. Questions that Probe Reasons and Evidence How do you know it? What difference does it make? How could we find out if it is true? What make you say that? Are these reasons adequate? Could you explain your reasons?

10. Questions about Perspectives Why did Chinese people choose this viewpoint? How would Chinese people respond? What influenced Chinese people to do it? What might Chinese people think? Did Chinese people see it this way? How are Chinese and American’s ideas alike? Different?

11. Questions that Imply What else might happen? Why? Would that actually happen or probably happen? What is the alternative? If A and B are true, what would that mean? When you say A does not work, are you suggesting B might work?

12. Recall Questions Define the term, what is … Name three items of… What happened in the story? Who did it? Where is it? When did it happen?

13. Analysis Questions What caused it to happen? In what sequence did it happen? What information is needed? What does it symbolize? Explain how it works What is the purpose of it? What is the relationship between A and B?

14. Comparison Questions How is A like B? How are A and B different? Compare something before and after Compare something then and now Distinguish A from the group Which one is more… Which one is less…

15. Inference Questions What would happen if… Predict how something will end What is the overall theme? What can you conclude about something What generalization can you make from this information? What will be a solution?

16. Evaluation Questions Is something worthwhile? Explain Do you think the argument convincing? What would you have done in that situation? Is it the best solution? How well are the conclusions supported? Is that a wise action? Justify your opinion