Critical Thinking Skills Task Cards for Big Kids

Critical thinking is a huge part of an inquiry mindset. And this is what we want to encourage and develop further within the IB PYP and the MYP. These printable task cards are a terrific way to actively practise the inquiry mindset and build critical thinking skills, as per the Approaches to Learning Thinking skills . The task cards can be used in a variety of ways that encourage the children to reflect and really puzzle through problems and scenarios as they are asked to reflect on situations that require analysing, synthesising, categorising and evaluating, present doubt, possible antagonism, confidence issues and other difficulties.

As you help the children with these thinking skills in a safe, familiar environment, it will greatly benefit them throughout school and particularly as they approach the IB PYP Exhibition. A great collaborative thinking activity, ideally suited for 4th – 7th grades. I’m not going to pretend; some are tricky! UK and USA spelling included.

Suggestions:

Whole class - sitting in circle, each child will have a card to read aloud and then share their opinion. These can be discussed as you go around the circle.

Teacher led – read aloud a card to a small group and have them interact with each other to solve the problem or scenario.

Small groups- Place a pile of cards face down in the middle of the group. Each person will take a turn to read a card, act out or offer their opinion and then those can be discussed within the group.

Independent work - Each child can work with a few cards and write or draw how they would solve the social problems presented on the task cards.

You will find 32 task cards ready to print and go.

You may also like these task cards for specifically teaching and developing each of the Approaches to Learning Skills. Check them out right here.

Approaches to Learning Skills Task Cards Bundle

Enjoy!

Susan Powers

www.PYPteachingtools.com