Books to Foster Critical Thinking
Developing good critical thinking skills is an important part of the learning process. Fortunately, there are a number of great resources available to get kids thinking about their own thinking, how to evaluate evidence, and practice methods for problem-solving. Here are a few to add to your homeschool library.
Case Closed? Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science:
Case Closed? Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science:
This book provides a brief historical overview of nine mysteries including questions about what happened to Sir John Franklin’s Arctic expedition, the disappearance of the Anasazi, and the disappearance of George Mallory on Mount Everest. For each case, there is background information as well as an examination of the scientific evidence. What makes each of these a good case for critical thinking is that there are not always definite answers. The cases are not always closed and solved leaving room for further examination and questions to be asked.
Solve This! Forensics:
Solve This! Forensics:
Similar in approach to Case Closed? but with more of a focus on the science of solving crimes. The book contains four mysteries each of which is outlined in terms of the scenario, the evidence, and the suspects. For each mystery, there is an investigation of the evidence in light of a specific crime detecting tool such as fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, and DNA evidence. Each case has a solution and explanation for that solution.
Encyclopedia Brown Books by Donald Sobol:
Encyclopedia Brown Books by Donald Sobol:
For fans of crime-solving stories, Encyclopedia Brown provides a great role model for critical thinking and problem-solving. The song boy detective helps his police chief father with his most difficult cases and provides clear explanations for how he is able to come to the solution with seemingly little to go on but his vast encyclopedic knowledge, hence his nickname, and clear thinking.
65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math!
65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math!
This is a good book for integrating math into your problem-solving and critical thinking lessons. Each of the 65 mysteries are briefly outlined and a question is posed. The solution depends on working through some mathematical principles and applying them to the real-world conditions of the mystery. Clear explanations for the solution of each mystery are provided as well as additional resources and a useful glossary of mathematical terms.
Avoid Hard Work!
Avoid Hard Work!
This book is subtitled “and other encouraging mathematical problem-solving tips for the young, the very young, and the young at heart. It offers 10 very useful and sometimes playful techniques for solving not only mathematical problems but problems in general. Each technique includes ideas for how to use it, example problems for different ages and skill levels as well as helpful tips for when the technique doesn’t help at all. Some of the tips include making the problem smaller, wishing the problem could be solved, and then using that wish as the basis for thinking about how to solve the problem, and perseverance in the face of seemingly impossible problems. Each technique helps foster a growth mindset in kids as well as provides some fun ways to approach difficult problems.
Unsolved Mysteries From History by Jane Yolen:
Unsolved Mysteries From History by Jane Yolen:
These are similar in their approach to Case Closed? Each book focuses on one specific unsolved mystery such as The Mary Celeste, The Salem With Trials, and Roanoke The Lost Colony. Each mystery is told from the perspective of a young child who wants to be a detective when she grows up. At the end of each book, the author asks What really happened? and an analysis of the evidence and several possible explanations are considered. None of the cases are solved so there is plenty of room for exploration and further questioning which are important in building critical thinking skills.
Raising Critical Thinkers
Raising Critical Thinkers
Finally, for parents, this book provides a lot of useful guidance on how to get your kids thinking critically and useful tips for applying these skills. It’s not always obvious or easy to teach critical thinking skills but these resources offer a good place to start while tapping into a variety of interesting topics to engage your young ones and get them asking more questions.
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For more critical thinking resources visit The Thinking Shop
This article contain links to products on Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For more critical thinking resources visit The Thinking Shop