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In the wake of initiatives such as No Child Left Behind and the use of high-stakes testing, the emphasis in schools has been on drill and practice for the test. Genuine understanding and critical thinking have been increasingly shortchanged. As a result, students have fewer opportunities to advance their insight into cognitive and emotional challenges, even though both teachers and parents recognize the importance of developing deliberative and reflective thinking skills.
This book uniquely combines two things. First, it provides resources for classroom teachers in grades 3 - 6 that make it possible for them, at a moment's notice, to take advantage of a teachable moment by drawing students into productive intellectual discussions. Second, it gives the reader an overview of the rationale and the research base for engaging students in educational activities that are truly intellectual and that are not limited to training for testing success.
List of contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I Background for the Scripts
Chapter 1 Critical Thinking and the Schools
Chapter 2Philosophical Inquiry and the Great Conversation
Chapter 3Psychological Research and Theories on Thinking
Chapter 4Establishing a Community of Inquiry in the Classroom
Part II Scripts and Scripting
Tips for Using the Scripts Successfully
Chapter 5Scripts for Elementary School Students
Chapter 6Building Your Own Scripts
Resources for Further Information
References
About the author
Paul A. Wagner, Ph.D., is the author of over 130 publications including nine books. He is chair of the Department of Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Houston. Daphne Johnson teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Education at Sam Houston State University. She brought Project Based Learning to the Education courses at Sam Houston State, increasing critical thinking amongst the teacher candidates. Dr.Frank Fair, Ph.D., has a number of publications in a variety of academic journals, and has co-authored a number of books, including one on innovation in quality management and one on team creativity in business. Two other recent publications that are especiallyDr. Daniel Fasko, a Fellow of the Psychonomic Society, is a Professor of Educational Psychology, at Bowling Green State University where he teaches educational psychology and life-span development. His research interests are in critical and creative thinking, and moral reasoning and education.
Summary
This book provides resources for teachers in grades 3 - 6 to take advantage of teachable moments by drawing students into productive intellectual discussions. It also provides an overview of the rationale and research base for engaging students in educational activities that are truly intellectual and not limited to training for testing success.
