Critical Thinking, Education and Primary Sources

Unleashing Metacognition: The Power of See, Think, Wonder

Catlin Tucker

AUGUST 5, 2023

Teachers can leverage the power of thinking routines developed by Project Zero at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education to help students develop their metacognitive muscles. Next, students progress to the stage of “thinking.” Media and Current Events: Use this with news articles or multimedia sources.

Primary Sources

Primary Sources Critical Thinking Education

Most Students Think History Is Boring. Here's How We Change That.

ED Surge

APRIL 3, 2024

Throughout this lesson, my students not only learn the content but also develop critical thinking skills as they analyze evidence, put together persuasive arguments and respectfully debate their peers. I often weave these historical narratives into content through primary sources. Photo courtesy of Alex Brouhard.

History

History Primary Sources Artifacts Social Studies

The Week That Was In 234

Moler's Musing

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Also, if you’re interested in how AI can be used effectively in education, check out an article I contributed to in EdWeek: Can AI Be Used Effectively in Class? This part helped students connect primary source analysis to the broader motivations for European exploration, further deepening their historical thinking skills.

Primary Sources

Primary Sources Artifacts Geography Lesson Plan

The Power of See, Think, Me, We

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Teachers can leverage the power of thinking routines developed by Project Zero at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education to help students develop their metacognitive muscles. Teachers often use this routine to deepen students’ engagement with material and to foster complex, critical thinking skills.

Primary Sources

Primary Sources History Cultures Cultural Studies

Bringing ‘inclusive innovation’ to school districts

The Hechinger Report

JULY 7, 2022

Editor’s note: This story led off this week’s Future of Learning newsletter, which is delivered free to subscribers’ inboxes every other Wednesday with trends and top stories about education innovation. The sessions included educators, students, parents, and community members. Subscribe today!

Primary Sources

Primary Sources Social Science Professional Development Critical Thinking

How Do You Grade a Creative Assignment?

ED Surge

JULY 21, 2022

I've thought about opening it up widely—write a historical novelette (using primary sources, of course), create a sculpture, write a song—but, again, I have no idea how to grade something like that, considering the wide range of talent that my students likely will have.

Primary Sources

Primary Sources History World History Digital Resources

Teachers, Try This: A Method for Navigating Political Debates in Social Studies

Education Week - Social Studies

APRIL 30, 2024

Through the use of primary sources, and students' own critical thinking skills, this Texas teacher navigates the current political climate.

Social Studies

Social Studies Primary Sources Critical Thinking

The Week That Was In 234

Moler's Musing

OCTOBER 26, 2024

Friday Primary Sources Lesson Link , Thick Slide Summary Friday was a day off for me, so I set up an inquiry lesson for my students—a deep dive into the question, “Why is it important to have a voice in government? Sure, I want students to stretch their thinking and be challenged, but there’s a fine line.

Primary Sources

Primary Sources History Government Critical Thinking

If I was teaching Social Studies today…

Dangerously Irrelevant

MAY 31, 2017

Some folks know that I started my education career as a middle school Social Studies teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina. I could incorporate Stanford University’s amazing library of historical critical thinking assessments at Beyond the Bubble.

Social Studies

Social Studies Teaching Archiving Geography

The Week That Was In 234

Moler's Musing

DECEMBER 6, 2024

From Frayer Models to define key terms and concepts, to Sketch and Tell-O and 8Parts Sourcing for visual analysis and critical thinking, each day offered a structured and interactive way for students to connect with history. How does Wilsons example of Massachusetts support his argument for a single executive?

Primary Sources

Primary Sources Government Critical Thinking History

US History Worksheets: Printable and Digital Activities for Kids

Students of History

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

While they're sometimes belittled, worksheets are an excellent tool for helping students analyze primary sources or better understand a historical event through a secondary source. This makes them easy to differentiate for special education students with accommodations.

History

History Primary Sources Lesson Plan American History

The Semester That Was In 505

Moler's Musing

JANUARY 2, 2024

Reflecting on the adventures, challenges, and revelations of the first semester teaching 8th grade social studies has been a journey filled with engaging moments, critical thinking exercises, and the exploration of local connections. Onward we march, with open minds and full hearts, to encounter the canvas of the second semester.

Primary Sources

Primary Sources Critical Thinking Social Studies History

5 Top Trends for Teaching Social Studies in 2023

Students of History

JANUARY 3, 2023

Another trend in social studies education is the emphasis on project-based learning. By actively engaging with the material in this way, students are able to develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the subject matter. I have these available for my entire curricula in World and US History.

Social Studies

Social Studies Historic Sites Teaching Primary Sources

Transforming Adult Students into Scholars

ED Surge

JULY 7, 2022

It teaches the basics of critical thinking, research and academic writing. It’s designed for students new to the University of Virginia—but not entirely new to higher education. As for primary sources, the professor suggests looking for a map, or a ship’s record, or a diary entry. He started out in Transformations.

Library

Library Psychology Primary Sources Humanities

Helpful Resources and Tips for Teachers Using Studies Weekly

Studies Weekly

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

Here are some of my favorite resources from my Teacher’s Edition: Weekly Essentials Every week in the TE includes: Summary notes Essential questions and critical thinking questions Learning objectives Vocabulary Comprehension questions Assessments All of these things are already done and ready for you to use.

Artifacts

Artifacts Primary Sources Lesson Plan Social Studies

Striking the right chord: How does it feel to write your first inquiry?

C3 Teachers

MAY 8, 2024

By Alicia McCollum and student inquiry travelers As an educator venturing into the world of inquiry design for the first time, the experience can feel remarkably similar to learning to play a musical instrument. I started with browsing an exhaustive amount of websites, academic journals, blog posts, digital museum tours, primary sources etc.

Primary Sources

Primary Sources Artifacts Social Studies Museum

Striking the right chord: How does it feel to write your first inquiry?

C3 Teachers

MAY 8, 2024

By Alicia McCollum and student inquiry travelers As an educator venturing into the world of inquiry design for the first time, the experience can feel remarkably similar to learning to play a musical instrument. I started with browsing an exhaustive amount of websites, academic journals, blog posts, digital museum tours, primary sources etc.

Primary Sources

Primary Sources Artifacts Social Studies Museum

People’s History Teaching Stories

Zinn Education Project

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

With thousands of teachers using Zinn Education Project lessons each year, we hear amazing stories about the impact these lessons have in the classroom. Paradoxically, teaching people’s history leaves more room for hope than any other educational framework. Here are just a few. History students.

History

History Teaching Social Studies Middle School

The Week That Was In 234

Moler's Musing

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

I had used AI to simplify the primary sources into 7th-grade-friendly readings, hoping this would keep students engaged and make the sources more accessible. This made the Loyalist primary source lesson from the Digital Inquiry group a perfect choice.

Primary Sources

Primary Sources Government History Human Rights

Social Studies Network

Unleashing Metacognition: The Power of See, Think, Wonder

Most Students Think History Is Boring. Here's How We Change That.

Trending Sources

The Week That Was In 234

The Power of See, Think, Me, We

Bringing ‘inclusive innovation’ to school districts

How Do You Grade a Creative Assignment?

Teachers, Try This: A Method for Navigating Political Debates in Social Studies

The Week That Was In 234

If I was teaching Social Studies today…

The Week That Was In 234

US History Worksheets: Printable and Digital Activities for Kids

The Semester That Was In 505

5 Top Trends for Teaching Social Studies in 2023

Transforming Adult Students into Scholars

Helpful Resources and Tips for Teachers Using Studies Weekly

Striking the right chord: How does it feel to write your first inquiry?

Striking the right chord: How does it feel to write your first inquiry?

People’s History Teaching Stories

The Week That Was In 234

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