Critical Thinking Activity 1

Activity Instructions

1. Divide the class into groups of 5.
2. Assign each person in each group a number from 1 to 5. If you have more than 5 students, double up on numbers (e.g., you might have 2 number 1’s). If you have fewer than 5 students, use numbers twice (e.g., one student is both 1 and 2).
3. Use the grouping jigsaw (Appendix 1). Inform students that their role and job is defined by their number.
4. Give some groups the word “Critical” and other groups the word “Thinking”.
5. Tell each group they have 10 minutes to come up with as many words starting with the letters given and related to either the word “Critical” or “Thinking”. Set a timer on screen. Inform the timekeeper. The group with the most words wins.
6. Combine groups: one “Critical” group and one “Thinking” group.
7. Instruct them to come up with a definition of Critical Thinking using as many words as possible from their lists. The group that uses the most words from their lists wins. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Inform the timekeeper.

8. Ask groups to compare their answers with provided definitions.