Discusses methods for teaching students to evaluate an argument, focusing specifically on identifying and evaluating both stated and unstated assumptions. Includes sample activities to help illustrate the approach. (BSR)

The Omaha Platform tells us a great deal about the objectives and character of the Populists. In this unit, the platform is converted to a problem format that U.S. history teachers can use to promote critical thinking skills in finding relevant information and evaluating inferences. (RM)

The meaning of critical thinking is discussed. Teachers should be able to separate what they mean by critical thinking, creative thinking, and practical thinking. By separating these meanings, teachers can better identify the components of critical thinking and improve their teaching. (RM)

U.S. history is an ideal subject in which to inculcate skepticism and to teach critical thinking skills. High school students who read and analyze rival interpretations of history come to expect that there is more than one viewpoint to most historical topics. Sample lessons are presented. (RM)

The purpose of this guide is to implement the teaching of "Critical Viewing: Stimulant to Critical Thinking," a guide for students. Part one of the guide is an overview of the organization, methodologies, and evaluation procedures used in "Critical Viewing." Suggestions and activities for teaching the six chapters in "Critical Viewing" are given…

Provides a lesson plan and student handouts for examining the question of whether Shays's Rebellion was an important cause of the United States Constitution. (JDH)

This document is intended to improve the critical viewing skills and increase the understanding and appreciation of what is viewed. Included are the chapters: (1) "Critical Thinking: The Parts of an Argument," intended to develop a process to help a person judge arguments in what is read, seen, and heard; (2) "Critical Viewing:…

Presents a lesson plan which allows students to grapple with significant questions about the U.S. Constitution while they develop important critical thinking skills. Entitled "The Constitution, the Public, and Voting," the plan encourages skills such as evaluating generalizations, evaluating reasoning by analogy, and recognizing unstated…

Presents a lesson in which students are asked to analyze a preindustrial New England town according to its social and economic characteristics. Students are then asked to make hypotheses about how the town might have changed socially and economically with industrialization. Gives instructions for implementation. (KO)

These curriculum materials in U.S. history are part of a series designed to teach critical thinking skills systematically. The teacher's guide presents a series of supplementary ready-to-use lesson plans for teaching high school students about the Spanish-American War, the Depression era, the cold war, and post-World War II issues. The…

Teacher developed U.S. history curriculum materials involve high school students in analyzing rival historical interpretations. Students learn how to deal with arguments through the booklet "A Guide to Critical Thinking" and then analyze and debate interpretations. Appendices include sample materials and a matrix of content with associated…

One of a series of curriculum materials in U.S. history designed to teach critical thinking skills systematically, this teacher's guide presents high school students with supplementary lessons on the Reconstruction period, industrialism, labor and immigration, and progressivism and populism. The student booklet begins with a guide to critical…

This is one of a four-volume series intended to improve students' (grade 6-adult) critical thinking through evaluation of conflicting viewpoints of United States history. Each lesson is a self-contained problem that can be integrated at any point in a corresponding history unit. The book represents both analytical and narrative history. Unit One…

Statements taken from the audiotape "South Africa: The Other Side of the Story" are used to stimulate students' critical thinking about the South African apartheid government. The lesson plan includes analyses of the statements as a teacher resource. (GEA)

This is one of a four-volume series intended to improve students' (grade 6-adult) critical thinking through evaluation of conflicting viewpoints of United States history. Each lesson is a self-contained problem that can be integrated at any point in a corresponding history unit. The book represents both analytical and narrative history. Unit One…