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  1. Critical Thinking

    by

        Critical thinking has become a hot topic in education today.  Not only is it
    introduced as a subject of study unto itself, the concept of critical thinking is applied in
    all subject areas.  It is currently taught as an integral learning tool for teachers in training
    at schools of teacher education.  Peter Facione states, “Education is nothing more, nor
    less, than learning to think!”
        The common feeling in education today is that students must become critical
    thinkers in order to assimilate and accommodate information, thus becoming a true learner.
        The ideas and activities set forth in the following pages will help elementary school students develop a variety of critical thinking skills in grades two through six.  Teachers
    using these activities will encourage and foster critical thinking among their students.
        It may be easier to understand the concepts of critical thinking as it is discussed in
    terms of student behavior and performance.  Ferrett in Peak Performance (1997).
    proposes the following:

    Attributes of a critical thinker
        asks pertinent questions
        assesses statements and arguments
        is able to admit a lack of understanding or information
        has a sense of curiosity
        is interested in finding new solutions
        is able to clearly define a set of criteria for analyzing ideas
        is willing to examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions and weigh them against facts
        listens carefully to others and is able to give feedback
        sees that critical thinking is a lifelong process of self assessment
        suspends judgment until all facts have been gathered and considered
        looks for evidence to support assumption and beliefs
        is able to adjust opinions when new facts are found
        looks for proof
        examines problems closely
        is able to reject information that is incorrect or irrelevant

    Definitions
        The term has become so widely used that critical thinking may mean different
    things depending on its context and application.  Some useful definitions appear on the
    web site “Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum Project”  Longview Community
    College; Definitions of Critical Thinking .

    Critical thinking is the development of cohesive and logical reasoning patterns.

    Critical thinking is deciding rationally what to or what not to believe.

    The purpose of critical thinking is to achieve understanding, evaluate view points, and
    solve problems. Since all three areas involve the asking of questions, we can say that
    critical thinking is the questioning or inquiry we engage in when we seek to understand,
    evaluate, or resolve.

    Critical thinkers: distinguish between fact and opinion; ask questions; make detailed
    observations; uncover assumptions and define their terms; and make assertions
    based on sound logic and solid evidence.

    No matter what definition the teacher wishes to use for critical thinking, the
    underlying idea is that teachers can teach students to think.

    Thinking is a skill … it can be taught.

    Thirteen essential thinking skills:
         Observing
         Comparing
         Classifying
         Imagining
         Hypothesizing
         Criticizing
         Looking for Assumptions
         Collecting and Organizing Data
         Summarizing
         Coding
         Interpreting
         Problem Solving
         Decision Making
                             Author Unknown

    Bloom’s Taxonomy
        Finally, the teacher must understand Bloom’s Taxonomy of educational objectives
            [See appendix].  Bloom lists these “abilities” in ascending order:
    I.   Knowledge: remembering of previously learned material; recall (facts or whole
             theories); bringing to mind
    II.  Comprehension: grasping the meaning of material; interpreting
             (explaining or summarizing); predicting outcome and effects
    III. Application: ability to use learned material in a new situation; apply rules, laws,
             methods, theories
    IV. Analysis: breaking down into parts; understanding organization, clarifying,
             concluding
    V.  Synthesis: ability to put parts together to form a new whole; unique communication;
            create abstract relations
    VI. Evaluation: ability to judge value for purpose; base on criteria; support judgment
            with reason.

    Ways to Encourage Critical Thinking

    Awards:  Good Question  –  Good Thinking  –  I Found The Answer

        Three ways to improve critical thinking is by encouraging students to ask good
    questions, practice good thinking, and find answers using resources.  I have created a
    small trophy and certificate for students who exhibit each of these positive critical
    thinking behaviors.  These awards may be used in all subject areas and at anytime.  For
    example, when a students asks a “Good Question”, the trophy goes on the student’s desk
    for the day, or until another student earns it.  Also, the student is given a paper certificate
    to be taken home.

    Good Question Award
        A “Good Question” is a question that shows the student is thinking about the
    subject, concepts, or ideas under study.  Generally, these questions are in the higher areas
    of Bloom’s Taxonomy; application (in the lower grades), analysis, synthesis, or
    evaluation.  A “Good Question” may also show creativity.
        As the award is used, students will begin to identify “Good Questions” posed by
    fellow students and direct the teacher to give the award.

    Good Thinking Award
      “Good Thinking” reveals that the student is entering the higher thought
    processes; analysis, synthesis, or evaluation.  “Good thinking” may also entail solving a
    multi-step problem or coming up with an original idea or creative way to solve a problem.
    Of course, the teacher must challenge the students with questions that require
    higher order reasoning.

    I Found The Answer Award
        The “I Found The Answer” award is given when a student has taken the initiative
    to look for and find an answer using a resource other than the text.  This award will
    motivate students to find answers, rather than simply accepting “I Don’t Know” as the
    answer.  Students through application and practice will learn to use the dictionary,
    almanac, thesaurus, encyclopedia, index, glossary, maps, and the internet.  Also, students
    should learn to ask people for answers.
        The best questions for research come out of daily classroom lessons and discussions in
    all subject areas.  The teacher may also pose a “Question of the Day” to be researched.

        In order to use these awards to their highest potential, the teacher must be
    competent and comfortable in asking higher order questions, accepting more than one
    possible answer to a question, and practice not answering all student questions.

    Games and Puzzles
        Games can be a useful learning tool.  While playing games students may apply
    their knowledge and skills while interacting in a small group.  Most games involve
    planning, observation, logic and reasoning, calculations of chance, observing, using
    information, and creating and testing possible solutions.  All of these “game skills” are
    components of critical thinking.
        Puzzles come in a wide variety of types from purely academic, which rely on knowledge
    or reasoning skills, to those which require acute observation, such as a jigsaw puzzle.  No matter what the puzzle, the one commonality of all puzzles is they require critical thinking.
        Why jigsaw puzzles?  In order to complete a jigsaw puzzle students must observe
    and compare size, shape, color, and patterns; use trial and error to complete the task; and
    develop visual memory.  Students experience working together toward a common goal,
    and participate in an activity that requires days or weeks to complete.

    Encourage Creativity
        SCAMPER is an excellent classroom activity which encourages students to think
    creatively.  In this activity the student looks at an object and develops original ideas
    about the object and different uses of the object.  SCAMPER is an acronym which helps
    direct students in this process.

      Substitute some aspect of it
      Combine elements with something else
      Adapt or Alter an aspect of it
      Minify or Magnify an aspect of it
      Put some part of it to other uses
      Eliminate an aspect of it
      Reverse an aspect of it

        Scamper may be used as an independent, small group, or whole class activity.
    Students must be allowed to brainstorm ideas, making it clear that all ideas must be
    accepted.  I usually have the students work independently for 5 – 7 minutes, then share
    their ideas with the class.  Teachers may use small groups and develop a scoring system,
    giving a point for each idea that no other group has written.  [See Appendix for blank
    Scamper worksheet]

        Visit “Robert Alan Black’s Creativity Challenges”, Creativity Challenge Table of Contents,
    an excellent site of 52 challenges which will increase your creativeness, expand your creative thinking skills, spark your creativity, and encourage you to learn fun ways to tap and improve your creativity.

    What Do They Have in Common?
        A simple activity that promotes critical thinking and creativity is listing 2 words
    and asking “What do they have in common?”  While students may easily see differences
    among items, finding similarities will be much more challenging.  This activity also
    promotes oral communication and explaining your answer.  This may done individually,
    with a partner, small groups, or even as a whole class brainstorming session.  This
    activity is part of my students’ first assignments as they come in the morning.  Students
    are asked to write an answer and then we discuss their responses as a whole class.
        Teachers should accept any answer that may be explained as a commonality,
    being sure students only deal with the attributes of the items and not what they could be
    or do.  For example, for “bell and whistle” I would accept both are “made of metal” or
    “make a sound” but would not allow “I own both of them.”
        For a real challenge, have students write names of objects on a small piece of
    paper and put them all in a bag.  Each day select a pair of words and challenge the
    students to recognize “What do they have in common?”

    Another Version
        “What Do they have in common?” may be taken one step farther.  Using a pair of
    words, the commonality must be expressed in one word.  Students must think of multiple
    meanings and multiple uses of the words.

    For example:   clothes and money > change   record and down > break
    The game TriBond lists three words and the player must recognize what word is common
    among all three.
    Word Chains
        Words Chains is an oral language game that encourages critical thinking by
    requiring students to think about items and classify items into categories.  The teacher
    gives a category, and selects a volunteer for the first word.  Then each next word must
    start with the ending letter of the preceding word.

    Category – Things found in the ocean
     fisH  > HerrinG  > Ghost craB  >  BasS  >  SanD  >  Darkness

    To speed the game along, change the category once either group is unable to quickly answer.
    Words Chains may be played in a variety of ways: one vs. one, small group vs.
        small group, half of class vs. half of class, or whole group.
    Scoring: If you wish to keep score:
       1 Point – correct response
       -1 Point – incorrect or repeated response or unable to answer

        Words Chains encourages creativity as students try to connect words they know
    into a classification.  I use Word Chains as a short filler when the class is waiting in line
    and as a whole group thinking activity.

    Word Chains Category Ideas
    Something you would find in (at)  a(n)
        school   grocery store   garage   carnival   mall   doctor’s office   laboratory   hospital
        kitchen   sports stadium   restaurant   campsite   beach   television station   barber shop
        desert   skating rink   art class   purse   computer   toy store   library   car
        post office   amusement park   arcade   museum   cruise ship   National Park
        fire station   rodeo   zoo

    things made of: glass, plastic, metal, wood, cloth
    things that are soft, hard, fragile, strong, bendable, smooth, heavy, light
    things that are bigger than …,  smaller than …, heavier than …
    things that are connected with a holiday
    subject area or the topic under study
    geographic names  people’s jobs  cars   plants
    electronic devices  transportation  furniture  clothing
    things you wear  inventions  names   plants
    capitalized words  games/toys  music/songs  animal

    Words with Multiple Meanings
     A critical thinker looks at words and realizes many words may be used in
    different ways.  Introducing this skill to students will improve their reading and writing.
    When discussing word meanings the concepts of literal and figurative meanings must be
    taught. [See Appendix for word list]

    Classroom Use
    Word A Day – Put a new word on the board each morning.  Allow students time to
        think about or look up the word.  Discuss later in the day.

    Spelling or Vocabulary Lists – Look at the list (word) and ask students what words
     could have more than one meaning.

    New Words – As new words are encountered in class, list them on the blackboard.
         When you have that extra minute ask students if they remember the meanings or
         can use them in a sentence.
      Keep this ongoing list in a corner of the blackboard.  Do not erase the words daily.
      Erase the “old” words when the list becomes more than 5 – 7 words.  As the
      “old” words come down you may add them to a Word Wall, a writing bulletin board, or
      make a small card for each and put them in a box for future use.

    Acronyms
        “Acronyms” is a linguistic critical thinking activity which requires some
    creativity.  Students must create their own meanings for common acronyms.  Acronyms
    are words made up of the initial letters of its meaning, such as SCUBA, self-contained
    underwater breathing apparatus and SNAFU, situation normal all fouled up.  Acronyms
    may be pronounced letter by letter, such as CPR.  Initialism is the term for an
    abbreviation pronounced as the names of the individual letters.
        This idea originated when I was wearing a shirt that said “NYC” in my fourth
    grade class.  Most students did not know what the letters represented and started coming
    up with their own ideas.  Their responses included; “Nice Young Children”, “Never Yell
    Chocolate”, “Nine Yummy Cookies”, and my favorite, “No You Cant”.
        These abbreviations are everywhere and are part of our everyday life.  They are
    businesses (ATT, IBM, TWA), government agencies (NASA, CIA, FEMA), television
    networks (ABC, CNN, ESPN),  organizations (NATO, UN, NOW), items (BMW, CRT,
    VCR),  jobs (EMT, CPA, RN), and a mainstay in sports (RBI, TKO, TD).

    Acronyms
    WWW  Worldwide Web                        AOL America Online
    ESP  Extra Sensory Perception               ASAP  As Soon As Possible
    CIT  Counselor In Training                   AKC  American Kennel Club
    PDQ  Pretty Darn Quick                       GPA  Grade Point Average
    GNP  Gross National Product                ZIP  Zone Improvement Plan
    SRO  Standing Room Only                   RSVP  Respondez S’il Vous Plait
    CD  Compact Disc                              DJ  Disc Jockey
    AM  Amplitude Modulation                   FM  Frequency Modulation
    TBA  To Be Announced                       ETA  Estimated Time of Arrival
    AKA  Also Known As                           YMCA  Young Men’s Christian Association
    RPM  Revolutions Per Minute                MPH   Miles Per Hour
    ATV  All Terrain Vehicle                       SWAK  Sealed With A Kiss
    IQ  Intelligence Quotient                     CPA  Certified Public Accountant
    GOP  Grand Old Party                         CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
    CIA  Central Intelligence Agency            DNA  Deoxyribonucleic Acid
    TNT  Trinitrotoluene                            RAM  Random Access Memory
    VHS  Very High Speed                         URL  Uniform Resource Locator
    VIP  Very Important Person                  HMO  Health Maintenance Organization
    RN  Registered Nurse                          ACLU  American Civil Liberties Union
    POW  Prisoner Of War                         VISTA  Volunteers In Service To America
    NASA  National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Classroom Resources
    101 Fresh and Fun Critical Thinking Activities cross-curricular  128 p.  $12.95    Gr. 1-3
    180 Icebreakers to Strengthen Critical Thinking Skills and Problem-Solving Skills  96 p.
        $9.95 Middle Grades
    A Case of Red Herrings  32 story mysteries per book   $12.95   Gr. 4-9,   7 – up
    Bob Barlow’s Book of Brain Boosters 125 Writing Prompts That Develop Creative
        and Critical Thinking Skills  64 p.  $9.95   Gr. 4-8
    Brain Teasers “Sharpen students critical thinking skills with brain teasing activities.”
        80 p. $9.95   Gr. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 3-5, 5-8     USA 4-8,  Geography,
        20th Century,   Pre-Geometry,  Math Problem Solving,  Pre-Algebra
    Classroom Quickies  Over 25 verbal, spatial, mathematical, and figural activities in
        each book.  $8.95 Levels: Beginning,   Intermediate,   Advanced
    Clever Lateral Thinking Puzzles Harshman, Edward J.  Sterling Publishing Co. 1997
        99 puzzles   The answer/story ending is given, you must deduce how/why it
        makes sense    Ask only Yes/No questions  Clue questions are given
    Critical Thinking Activities in Patterns, Imagery, Logic  Dale Seymour and Ed Beardslee
        $15.50  Gr.  K-3,  4-6,  7-12
    Dr. DooRiddles   John H. Doolittle    Associative Reasoning Activities   $9.95
        Gr. K-2,  4-7,  8 – adult
    Hang-Ups Linda Lew Dollard   Ideas to Ignite Creativity and Imagination   Gr. 4-8
    Imagination Works Hands-on reproducible activities  48 p.  $8.95 Gr. 3-6
    In All Probability Investigations in probability and statistics   109 pp.   Gr. 3-6
    Instant Math Games That Teach  38 reproducible games  $9.98   Gr. 2-5
    Investigative Patterns: Symmetry and Tessellations $24.95   Gr. 5-8
        Set of 4 Mirrors  $4.50
    Language Smarts Sharpen students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary, word use,
        verbal sequencing and classification, spelling through eight different types of language
        activities.  100 activities per book   $11.95 Gr. 2-5,   4-7
    Light Up Their Minds Series “Provides students with the opportunity to think about and
        use, not just recall, the facts they have learned”  48 p.  $7.95     Gr. 2-5 and
        Middle Grades Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, Creative Thinking,
        Word Power, Self-Concept, The Seasons
    Logical Thinking Skills Challenging puzzles and fun activities to sharpen thinking skills
        96 p.  $9.95 Middle School
    Look! Listen! Think! “Activities to exercise students thinking skills”  $7.95 Gr.  2-3,  4-5,  6-7
    Mastermind, Exercises in Critical Thinking  Reproducible activities
        Gr. K-3  120 p. $9.95  Gr. 4-6  88 p.  $10.95
    Mathematics Their Way: Beyond the Book Gr. K-4   40 math projects
    Mental Aerobics   442 Thinking Workouts  “Teacher directed mind puzzlers from all
        areas of the curriculum”   96 p. $9.95 Middle School
    Mind Benders  Classic deductive reasoning puzzles   32 p.  $8.95  Gr. K-2,  2 – up,  6 – up
    Plexers  “Each puzzle is a pictorial code for a common phrase, an idiomatic expression;
        or the name of a person, place, or thing.”  40 p.   $9.95    Gr. 4 – up
    Powerthink  “Gives students the tools they need to develop solid critical thinking skills.
        As they work together in small groups, they will learn to evaluate information,
        differentiate between fact and opinion, and look at both sides of an issue.”  64 p.
        $6.95 Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Scratch Your Brain Where It Itches  Sharpen problem solving skills and improve
        understanding of basic math concepts    60-122 brain teasers per book $9.95
        Gr. 1-3, 3-6, 7-9     $10.95  Pre-Algebra – AlgebraII,  Geometry
    Think-A-Grams  Large format for bulletin board or wall display  $11.95   Gr. 5-7,  6-9,  8-up
    Visual Discrimination: Exploring and Solving Picture Patterns    $8.95   Gr. 1-12

    Web Sources
    Center for Critical Thinking Classroom Material Resources   Lesson Plans
          http://www.criticalthinking.org/k12/k12class/trc.html
    Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum  Longview Community College
        http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/longview/ctac/index.htm
        Definitions    http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/longview/ctac/definitions.htm
    Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts   Essay   Peter A. Facione 1997
        http://www.calpress.com/critical.html
    Critical Thinking Books and Software   Vendor  Online Catalog
        http://www.criticalthinking.com/
    Dr. Labush’s Links To Learning   Over 1200 Links for Teachers, Parents, and Students
        http://www.netrox.net/~labush
    Foundation for Critical Thinking   Events  Library  Resources   Bookstore
        http://www.criticalthinking.org/
    If X, Then Y: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills  Gwynn M. Powell  From Camping Magazine
        January 2000    http://www.findarticles.com/m1249/1_73/59176764/p1/article.jhtml
    Just Think  Media Literacy Education   http://www.justthink.org/
    Learn A Little More   Original worksheets and Activities   Printable
        http://www.netrox.net/~labush/lalm.htm
    Robert Alan Black’s Creativity Challenges  52 challenges
        http://www.athens.net/~merrybeing/CC/index.html
    Strategy List: 35 Dimensions of Critical Thought
        http://www.criticalthinking.org/k12/k12class/strat/stratall.html

    Publications
    Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking   M. Neil Browne, Stuart M.
        Keeley (1997)  Prentice Hall
    Big Tools for Young Thinkers   Susan Keller-Mathers, Kristin Puccio  (2000) Prufrock Press
    Ellis, D. Becoming a Master Student 8th Rev edition (1998)  Houghton Mifflin College
    Fact vs. Opinion. (teaching of critical thinking)   Joan Novelli  Instructor   March, 1999
    Ferrett, Sharon. Peak Performance : Success in College & Beyond  2nd edition (1996)
    Halpern, D.F. (1996). Thought and Knowledge: An Introduction to Critical Thinking
        (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
    Maiorana, Victor P. Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum: Building the Analytical
        Classroom. Eric Clearinghouse 1992
    Norris, Stephen P. “Synthesis of Research on Critical Thinking. Educational Leadership,
        v 42 n 8 May 1985. 40-45.
    Toor, Ruth & Hilda K. Weisburg. Puzzles, Patterns (5 Problem Solving: Creative
       Connections to Critical Thinking). 176p. Library Learning Resources. 1999.

    Games and Puzzles
    Attribute Blocks   Gr. K – 12 Desk Set  $22.95   Pocket Set  $14.95   Activity Books
        Graphing circles sold separately
    Battleship   Fr. 3 – up   2 player    Players use coordinate graphing on separate game boards
        to find and destroy ships.
    Brick by Brick   Gr. 3 – up   5 3D brick pieces from symmetrical walls
        pictured on 60 puzzle cards   $12.50
    Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers
    Clue Gr. 4 – up   $23.99  and Clue Junior  Gr. 1-3   $14.99  Use logic and reasoning
    Connect Four   Gr. 2 – up   Vertical Checkers make 4-in-a-row   $19.99
    Eye-Cue Puzzles  Gr. K-1,  2-4,  3 – up   Multisolution 8 piece puzzles improve
        visual thinking and problem  solving   $15.95  four puzzles per set
    Graphing Circles 6 circles  &14.95
    Izzi   Gr. 3 – up   Multisolution puzzle   Match 64 diamond-shaped cards edge to edge
        4 colors per card $6.25
    Mancala   Gr. 1 – up   Strategy game with few rules   Several Versions   $10.00-$15.00
    Mastermind   Gr. 3 – up   $14.99
    Outburst and Outburst Jr.  Gr. 3 – up   Guessing game using categories
    Othello   Gr. 3 – up   Strategy game   2 Player   $19.95
    Pattern Blocks   Gr. K – up  Many models, books, and activity cards available
    Parquetry Blocks   Gr. K-2   Many models, books, and activity cards available
    Pentominoes  Gr. K – up  Many models, books, and activity cards available
    Scattergories Gr. 4 – up   Players or teams think of words within categories
        starting with a selected letter
    Shape by Shape   Gr. 3 – up   14 Shape pieces – 60 challenge cards
        “Hint to Solutions” on back   $12.50
    Slide 5   Gr. 3 – up   5 in a row strategy game   2 player   $19.95
    Tangrams  Gr. K – up  [Also Tangoes] Many models, books, and activity cards available
    Tessellation Shapes   Gr. 3 – up   Geometric, Letter, and Curlie Tessellations
        Tessellation Pack  180 Pieces  $45.40   Templates, Set of 10  $24.50
    30 Second Mysteries   Gr. 5 – up   2 or more players
    Traverse   Gr. 3 – up   Like Chinese Checkers with several thinking twists   2-4 players $19.95
    TriBond   Gr. 5 – up   Game asks “What do 3 things have in common?”  Home Game
        CD Rom     Play online  TriBond®    http://www.tribond.com/
    Tri-Ominoes   Gr. 2 – up   2-6 players   3 sided dominoes   $9.95
    24 Game   Gr. 4-12  1 or more players   8 different versions cover mathematics and
        Algebraic Thinking    $21.95
    Visual Brainstorms  Gr. 6 – up   100 of the science, perception and lateral thinking puzzles
        Solutions on back   $12.25
    Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?  Gr. 4 – up   Geography mystery   $23.99
        Carmen USA Gr. 3 – up 2 to 4 players

    My Favorite Companies
    Discount School Supply   www.earlychildhood.com/Store/     800-627-2829
        General education supplies – arts and crafts
    ETA/Cuisenaire  Manipulatives, science materials, and teacher resources
        www.etacuisenaire.com   800-445-5985   Math and Science
    MPI   www.educationalideas.com    800-444-1773
        Math, Science, and Technology
    Pearson Learning   [Dale Seymour Publications]   www.pearsonlearning.com/
        800-526-9907     Many unusual and creative resources     Math in literature books

    Appendix

    Words with Multiple Meanings
    accent account ace act add address    advance age air alarm application ask    associate attention    

    average atmosphere     baby back bail balance band bar    bare base bat batter bear bearing    beat    

    bed behind bill bit bite    blaze blind block blow bluff board    body bolt bond bore bottom bound

    bow box brace brand brush buckle    burn button cabinet cable cake call    cap capital cardinal cart

    case cast    cause cement center chain chamber chance    change charge charter check chip choice   

    chorus circle circuit clash claw clear    club coat code colony column compact    compass condition

    conduct cool copy cord    course court crack crane credit crest    crop cross crown cry culture cure

    current cushion cut dab dash date    dead deal deck decoy degree deposit    design detail dial

    diamond die dip    direct double draft draw dress drop    dry element entry even excuse express   

    eye face fair fall family fan    fast fault feature feel fence field    figure file fill filter find finish

    fit fix flare flat flight flock    flop flush focus foil follow foot    force forge form foul frame free

    front fund fuse gag game gauge    gear general get give grade grain    ground gutter

    habit hail hall hand harbor hard    head heart heel help hit hitch     hold hollow home hood hook horn

    house hull ice inflate interest iron    issue jack jam jar jingle join   joint judge jump junior keep key

    kick kill king knock knot land    lark last launch law lead league    leave let level lick lie life

    light line litter live load lock    lodge long look lot low mad    make mark mask master mat matter

    mean meet melt mess mind mine    minor minute miss mix model mold    motion mount move

    name natural near need needle negative    nest net neutral nose note notice

    number nurse object odd open operate    order organ outfit    pace pack pad page palm panel

    paper park part particular party pass    patch pay peak peel peep perform    pick picture piece pile

     pin pinch    pipe pit pitch place plain plane    plate play plot plug point pool

    pore positive post pound power practice    preserve press pressure pride print project

    pump punch push put    quarter race raise ram range rank     rare rate rattle reach read ready

    reason record reel reference reflect register    relief reserve resource respect rest retain

    return reverse review ride rig right    ring rise rock roll root rope    rough round run

    safe sail saw scale school    score scrape scratch screen seal season    senior dense service set settle

    shade    shaft shake shape sharp sheet shield    ship shock short shot shoulder show

    shower side sight sign sink sit    skate skin skip slide slip slow     slug smart smooth snap soft soil

    sole solid sound space spell spin    spirit spot spread spring square squash    squeeze stab stage    

    stagger stake stalk    stamp stand staple state station steady    stem stern stick stiff still stir

    stock stone strike string strip stroke    stuff subject suit support suspend sweep    switch system

    table tackle tag take tap taste     tear temple tend tender tense thread    tick tie tight time title toast

    touch trace track trade trail train     trip turn    unit upset use vein vision voice

    walk ward warrant wash watch wave wax way wear web well will     wind word work wound   

     

    What Do They Have in Common?

    science / math         machine / skates         van / truck         helmet / hat         Florida / California

     country / state         tire / hula hoop         snow / ice cream         bell / whistle        hose / tunnel

    high school / college     scissors / knife    pie / doughnut         curtain / tablecloth     door / window

    foot / hand         mountain / hill         guitar / banjo         floor / carpet         string / rubber band

    bottle / can        cup / bowl             dollar / lettuce         frog / fish        frame / fence

    piano / telephone         apple / orange        egg / peanut     elevator / escalator     videotape / CD

    whale / clown         car / microwave         pencil / chalk    television / radio     ghost / Superman

    pen / pencil        shoe / sock         banana / candy bar         car / plane        watch / ring

    gloves / scissors     eye / ear        chair / desk         potato / banana         cow / goat       

    water / paint         lamp / microwave         milk / juice        letter / number         backpack / purse

    cat / tree        tear / ocean         ant / grasshopper         map / globe        fruit / vegetable

    drum / guitar         wood / metal    chair / stool     candle / light bulb         plug / key

    book / magazine     flag / stop     sign eagle / fish        water / glass         piano / telephone

    wood / orange        ocean / lake     milkshake / soda         wind /rain        prize / gift

    carpet / tablecloth     road / river    tape / glue     bone / tooth     bag / pocket    dog / spider

    hand / foot     piano / drum        cake / donut     panda / penguin     state / county    battery / magnet

    alligator / manatee     girl / fish        car / bike     cheese / yogurt     clock / sun        house / tent

    radio / telephone     vacuum / toaster    kite / yo-yo     hurricane / tornado     battery / key   

    feather / fin     theater / stadium     tree / bush        scream / whisper     fingernail / turtle shell

    towel / napkin    song / poem         salad / sandwich         key / pliers        earth / sun

    second / century     flower / fruit    turtle / tadpole     pillow / catalog     snore / cry

    Vishal Jain

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  2. Cool Experiments – Science

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    Video of some very cool science experiments. Do watch and make your students watch them. ( Press shift key before clicking on the link ) Liquid Nitrogen Experiments Balloon Carnation   Film Canisters Superconductor   Rubber Stopper Liquid Oxygen Experiments Fire   Magnetism     Just for Fun Nitrogen Ice... Comment
  3. Fostering a Questioning Attitude in Children

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                                       Fostering a Questioning Attitude in Children                                                     Rachana Misra, educationist  The purpose of education is to make human beings capable, competent and wise so as to meet the challenges of life. In a world that is dynamic, entropy and chaos quickly enter the picture as pace of life... Comment
  4. Laboratory Safety guidelines

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    Laboratory Safety Guidelines    Everyone must be responsible for everyone else in lab.  No horse-play is ever allowed.  Lack of pre-lab preparation is the biggest problem related to lab safety.  If you or your group members are unprepared for lab you will waist time and have a good chance of... Comment
  5. School boards in India

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    Choosing a board for the child is one of the most important concerns for parents. Many parents are unaware of the risk involved in sending their children to dubious and unrecognised functional boards of school education. Below mentioned is a list of all the recognised educational boards in India:  ... Comment
  6. MOTIVATING , DEALING, STRESS, & FEELING GOOD ABOUT TEACHING

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    MOTIVATING STUDENTS General Principles of Motivation More than instructor excitement or prodding. Motivating Students A wealth of good ideas. Motivating Students – 8 Simple Rules Keep students focused and motivated. Motivating the Unmotivated This just might change your thinking. Dealing with Disengaged Students Dealing with the top three teacher nightmares.... Comment
  7. IMPROVING SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE

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    IMPROVING SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE   School personnel seeking to improve the quality of discipline in their schools and classrooms are encouraged to follow the guidelines implicit in the discipline research. These include: AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL: 1.      Engage school – and community-wide commitment to establishing and maintaining appropriate student... Comment
  8. Class Rules

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    Kindergarten Rules   1.      WALK INSIDE! Why—to keep our body safe from bumps & bruises! 2.      USE AN INSIDE VOICE! Why—loud noises hurt our ears & it’s hard to think & learn! 3.      BE KIND TO OTHERS! Why—doing something kind feels GOOD to us & to our friends! 4.      FOLLOW... Comment

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