Tweak, Invite and Fortify

If we tweak questions early on in the critical inquiry process, we will more effectively foster significant curricular understanding! Think of this when planning a unit using the backwards design model – decide on the culminating activity, or curriculum challenge as Garfield Gini-Newman suggests, then factor in the subsequent learning activities, or critical challenges, based on the specific expectations.

The transcendent question, on the other hand, should be a general topic that can be returned to throughout the course of the year using a diverse range of curriculum challenges.

Here’s a great tip – turn any list type question into a critical thinking question by adding “rank order from… or “pick the most…”! Remember to utilize the appropriate vocabulary, and more importantly, teach students unfamiliar critical thinking terms beforehand to ensure that the criteria are understood.

For example, you might tweak the following question accordingly:

…but how do you define “significance” in criteria?  -Think “Richter scale” in terms of impact!

1. Breadth – Did it have widespread impact?
2. Duration – Was it long lasting? Is in enduring?
3. Profound – Has it had an important impact? Or is it trivial?

Once you have established the criteria, you and/or the students can assess! It is KEY, however, that the criteria is developed before the curriculum challenge is presented, else students will simply “back fill” rather than think critically about the criteria.

Six Ways to Critique Critical Challenges

2. Judge the better or best - students judge from among two or more options

3. Rework the piece - students transform a product or performance in light of additional information or an assigned focus, perspective, genre, or change in audience

4. Decode the puzzle - students suggest and justify a proposed solution, explanation or interpretation to a confusing situation

5. Design to specs - students develop a product that meets a given set of criteria

6. Perform to specs - students perform or undertake a course of action that meets a given set of criteria

For subject-specific examples, check out these prompts and tasks to get you critically thinking about your own teaching practice!

To learn more, be sure to check out the following workshops presented by Garfield Gini-Newman:

• Helping Students Hit Targets That Matter
• Thinking about Thinking: Infusing Critical Thinking In Our Teaching
• Developing Curriculum to Nurture Critically Thoughtful Learners