| In today's world it is even more important than ever for | | | | 4. Students then move to the corners that most |
| teachers to create critical thinking lesson plans that | | | | closely correspond with their opinion. |
| challenge students to think for themselves. One of my | | | | 5. Once students are in their corners, allow the groups |
| favorite critical thinking lesson plans is called the | | | | time discuss their position and the reasons for their |
| Four-Corners Debate. In this critical thinking activity, | | | | responses. Teachers may wish to assign roles prior to |
| students organize their point of view on a particular | | | | this step such as a note taker, discussion leader, time |
| controversial statement into one of four categories: | | | | keeper, presenter etc. |
| strongly agree, slightly agree, slightly disagree, or | | | | 6. At the end of the discussion time, have one student |
| strongly disagree. | | | | from each group present their group's position |
| Here are the steps: | | | | 7. While each group is presenting make sure to have |
| 1. Post signs in the corners of the classroom | | | | students complete a graphic organizer or chart |
| designating each corner into four categories (strongly | | | | explaining each position. |
| agree, slightly agree, slightly disagree, strongly disagree.) | | | | 8. Once all groups have shared, allow students to |
| 2. Present a controversial statement to the class | | | | change their position by having each student write a |
| based on the content of your unit. For example, after | | | | final position statement that incorporates the points |
| completing a unit on World War II, a teacher may | | | | brought up in the Four-Corners Debate. |
| make the following statement: President Truman was | | | | These types of critical thinking lesson plans not only |
| justified in using the atomic bomb to end World War II. | | | | address higher order thinking skills, but they are also |
| 3. Provide students a few minutes to write down their | | | | easy to implement. Furthermore, these critical thinking |
| position and explanation on a piece of paper. This will | | | | lesson plans work as a great way to spark student |
| prevent students from simply following their friends | | | | motivation to learn. |
| during the next step. | | | | |