1. How to Think Critically
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2. How This W rks 1. We discuss first to deepen your understanding
2. You will have 1 minute after we discuss, to translate the definition into something that makes sense to you
3. If you finish early, please read
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3. Logical Thinking
• Thinking that is based on evidence and facts from the text
• Thinking that makes sense because it is difficult to argue against
If you turn-in every assignment late in this class, what could you logically say, might happen?
How do you know this?
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4. Make an inference about WHY he might be feeling this way
Using clues from the story to figure something out that the author doesn’t tell you explicitly.
Which emotion is this man LOGICALLY feeling? Did he explicitly tell you this?
Make an inference about WHY he might be feeling this way
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5. What’s the meaning of this?
Analyze
To look carefully at something, breaking down its parts to reach a deeper understanding of the whole
It’s like putting the pieces of a puzzle together in order to see the bigger picture.
What’s the meaning of this?
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6. Investigate
To look at something in detail, gathering facts and evidence that will help you to understand the reason that something has happened.
You already know the outcome, you have to LOGICALLY determine how or why it happened.
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7. Evaluate
To examine something in order to decide on its value or worth.
Kathy woke up at 6:00, put on her slippers and took a shower, as usual. At 6:10, she went downstairs to eat waffles for breakfast. Waffles and cereal were her favorite breakfast foods. She spent a minute searching for a butter knife, but couldn’t find a clean one anywhere, so she had to use a huge butcher knife. She felt ridiculous and was glad no one was watching! At 6:15, just as she was finishing with the butter, a man broke in with the intent to take her hostage.
Which parts of this story have the greatest value or worth? Which parts have the least? Why is this an important skill to have?
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8. Interpret Find deeper meaning in what you read
Think about what the author intends to communicate to the reader
Consider the meaning behind each event
Toby had never played soccer before, but wanted to go out for the team in the fall. All of the other students had at least 5 years of previous experience, so they claimed that he’d never make it. Toby decided to practice playing soccer for 3 hours every day after school, and then 5 hours on Saturdays and Sundays. 6 months later, he tried out for the team and was one of the best players on the field. The other boys didn’t even congratulate him when he made the team, they just ignored him as he walked off the field.
Ask students to interpret the author’s intended message about Toby’s character, and about what likely motivated the others to respond in the way that they did. How is each event significant? How is a logical interpretation necessitated by understanding the deeper meaning behind individual events?
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9. Draw Conclusions
Decide what’s happening based on evidence from the text, then combine your inferences to reach a logical decision about something.
Allan got 2 hours of sleep, played 2 hours of football and 1 hour of soccer, left his glasses at home, and has only eaten one gummy bear. He has a math test at 3 o’clock today.
What conclusion can you draw about how Allan is feeling?
What conclusion can be drawn about the potential outcome of his math test?
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10. Critical Thinking
Thinking that is clear, logical and deep; thinking that uses evidence to help you form opinions or beliefs.
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11. As usual, Jim left for school ten minutes later than he should have
As usual, Jim left for school ten minutes later than he should have. His shoelaces were untied and his backpack was unzipped. He had traveled only one block when he heard his mother shout his name. He looked back and saw her angrily waving his lunch bag in the air. He rolled his eyes and continued walking. Once around the corner, he pulled out the cookie he’d stolen from his little brother’s lunch box.
Using evidence from the text, what can you infer about Jim’s character, and why?
Using evidence from the text, draw a conclusion regarding the way that other people perceive Jim?
Analyze the passage : if Jim were a character in a story, what kind of conflict might he logically be confronted with? Evaluate the passage for supporting evidence.
© MARTYN 2012