Have you ever wondered where our genius come from? Have you ever pondered the origin of our great pioneers and inventors came from? They are a product of critical thinking. Why is teaching critical thinking in middle school important?

In today’s rapidly changing world, critical thinking has emerged as an essential skills for all students. Although critical thinking should be taught in the lower grades, it should be an important part of any middle school curriculum. Middle school is a crucial period in a child’s educational journey where the foundation for lifelong learning is laid. Teaching critical thinking at this stage not only enhances academic performance, but it also equips students with the skills to survive in the modern workplace.

Unfortunately, many middle school students are lacking in critical thinking skills. With the focus having shifted to increasing test scores, many teachers have opted to teach to the test instead of teaching their students the skills that they will need in order to be successful in life.

Why Teach Critical Thinking?

Enhances Problem-Solving Skills: Critical thinking enables students to analyze problems from different angles and come up with innovative solutions. This skill is vital not only for academic success but also for personal and professional life.

Encourages Independent Learning: When students develop critical thinking skills, they become more independent learners. They learn to ask the right questions, seek out resources, and critically evaluate information.

Prepares for Future Challenges: The ability to think critically is crucial in today’s fast-paced and information-rich world. It prepares students to tackle complex problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to new situations. As Charles Darwin pointed out, it is the fit who survive. And, the fit are those individuals who are able to quickly and easily adapt and change.

Critical Thinking & Student Test Scores

Improved Test Scores: As educators, we all want those accelerated test scores. We all want our students to show growth. So, contrary to what some educators may thinking, it is better to teach critical thinking skills that to teach to the test.

Enhanced Comprehension: Critical thinking helps students understand and retain information better. When they are able to analyze and evaluate what they learn, they can comprehend and remember content more effectively. Ta da! This leads to higher test scores.

Better Problem-Solving: Standardized tests often include questions that require problem-solving skills. By practicing critical thinking, students become adept at tackling complex questions, improving their performance on these tests.

Effective Study Strategies: Critical thinking encourages students to develop effective study strategies. They learn to identify key concepts, make connections between ideas, and prioritize information, all of which are crucial for academic success.

Future Employability & Critical Thinking

How does critical thinking impact our middle school students future employability? Let’s see.

Adaptability: In the ever-changing job market, the ability to think critically enables individuals to adapt to new roles and challenges. Employers value employees who can analyze situations, think creatively, and come up with innovative solutions. So, teaching our students to think critically in middle school can help teach them the importance of being adaptable.

Decision-Making Skills: Critical thinking is essential for making informed decisions. Whether in a managerial position or as part of a team, employees who can weigh options and make sound decisions are highly sought after.

Problem-Solving Abilities: The workplace often presents complex problems that require thoughtful solutions. Employees with strong critical thinking skills can approach these problems methodically, leading to better outcomes for their organizations.

Communication and Collaboration: Critical thinkers are better communicators and collaborators. They can articulate their ideas clearly, listen to others’ perspectives, and work effectively in diverse teams.

Critical Thinking Games for Middle School

The following are a list of games that can help you teach critical thinking in middle school.

Game Name	Critical Thinking Skills Addressed	Classroom Description
Logic Puzzles	Logical reasoning, problem-solving, pattern recognition	Students solve puzzles that require logical steps and pattern recognition, working individually or in small groups.
Debate Teams	Argumentation, reasoning, evidence evaluation	Students are divided into teams and debate a topic, requiring them to form and defend arguments using evidence.
Mystery Solving	Inference, hypothesis testing, deductive reasoning	Students are given a mystery to solve with clues, encouraging them to test hypotheses and draw conclusions.
Escape Room Challenges	Collaboration, problem-solving, creative thinking	Students work in teams to solve a series of puzzles and riddles to ‘escape’ the room, promoting teamwork and creative problem-solving.
Socratic Seminars	Critical analysis, questioning, reflective thinking	Students engage in a group discussion led by a teacher, asking and answering questions to deepen understanding of a text or topic.
Strategy Board Games	Strategic planning, decision-making, foresight	Students play board games like chess or Settlers of Catan that require strategic planning and decision-making to win.

Ways to Encourage Critical Thinking in Middle School

So, how can you teach your middle school students to think critically? Here are some strategies that you can implement.

Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage students to think deeply by asking open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer. Questions like “What do you think would happen if…?” or “Why do you think this is important?” stimulate critical thinking.

And, this is one of my favorite ways to get my students to think critically.

Promote Inquiry-Based Learning: Inquiry-based learning encourages students to ask questions, conduct research, and explore topics in depth. This method fosters curiosity and develops critical thinking skills as students seek answers and solutions.

Encourage Debate and Discussion: Classroom debates and discussions provide opportunities for students to articulate their thoughts, defend their viewpoints, and consider different perspectives. These activities enhance critical thinking and communication skills. But, be sure to establish some ground rules first! Some students may get so passionate about a topic that it could lead to an argument. So, ground rules….ground rules!

Use Real-World Problems: Presenting students with real-world problems to solve helps them apply their critical thinking skills in practical situations. This not only makes learning more relevant but also prepares them for future challenges.

I like to incorporate things that are going on in the news. I like to have my students related these events to themselves. And, if it is dealing with a controversial issue, I have my students come up with a solution to the problem.

Integrate Technology: We can’t escape technology. So, use it to help teach critical thinking in your middle school classroom. Technology tools and resources that promote critical thinking. For example, online research projects, simulations, and interactive games can engage students and develop their analytical skills.

Teach Metacognition: Help students become aware of their own thinking processes by teaching metacognition. (Hey, I’m teaching myself this😆.) Encourage your students to reflect on how they approach problems, what strategies they use, and how they can improve their thinking skills.

Critical Thinking Activities for Middle School Students

Socratic Seminars: Socratic seminars involve structured discussions around a central question or topic. Students prepare by reading a text and then engage in a group dialogue, asking and answering questions to deepen their understanding and critical thinking.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL): In PBL, students work in groups to solve complex, real-world problems. This approach encourages collaboration, research, and critical thinking as students develop solutions and present their findings.

Role-Playing: Role-playing activities put students in different scenarios where they must make decisions and solve problems. This experiential learning method promotes critical thinking and empathy as students consider various perspectives.

Analyzing Advertisements & Literature: Have students analyze advertisements to identify persuasive techniques, biases, and underlying messages. This activity helps them develop media literacy and critical thinking skills.

And, I especially enjoy having my students analyze the text in which we read as a class. I have my students look for the bias and propaganda in the stories. I remind them that the authors of the books or piece of literature have an opinion or moral that they want to teach. And, I have them explain the text along with the author’s personal life/opinions and see if they can identify an overlap.

Research Projects: Assign research projects that require students to investigate a topic, evaluate sources, and present their findings. This process develops their ability to gather and analyze information critically.

Think-Pair-Share: Teamwork makes the dream work. This cooperative learning strategy involves individual thinking, paired discussion, and sharing with the larger group. It encourages students to articulate their thoughts and consider others’ ideas, enhancing critical thinking and communication.

Reflective Journals: Encourage students to keep reflective journals where they write about their learning experiences, challenges, and insights. Reflective writing promotes metacognition and deeper understanding.

Science Experiments: Conducting science experiments requires students to formulate hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions. This hands-on approach fosters critical thinking and scientific reasoning.

Ethical Dilemmas: Present students with ethical dilemmas and ask them to discuss and debate possible solutions. This activity helps them consider different viewpoints and develop moral reasoning and critical thinking skills.

Teaching critical thinking in middle school is not just about improving test scores or preparing students for future employment. It is about equipping them with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly complex world. By fostering critical thinking skills, educators can help students become independent learners, effective communicators, and innovative problem-solvers. Through inquiry-based learning, open-ended questions, real-world problems, and a variety of engaging activities, teachers can create a classroom environment that nurtures and develops these essential skills.