high school critical thinking questions

47 Critical Thinking Questions for High School Students

Critical thinking is defined as analyzing and thinking objectively about an issue to form a judgment. Critical thinking skills are important for high school students because they encourage decision-making based on logic and reason, which will serve them well in adulthood. 

Critical thinking questions are those that encourage the development of the following skills:

If you could make your own country, what would it look like? What rules would your citizens follow?

If you found out you only had 24 hours left to live, what would you decide to do with your last day on earth?

If everyone in the world stopped using social media, would it be a good thing or a bad thing? Defend your answer.

Question 10

Is it better to take one life in order to save 5 lives? What about 10? 20?

Question 11

Question 12, question 13.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what item would you choose to bring with you, provided you would have an endless supply of food and water?

Question 14

Question 15, question 16.

Is it more important to have a strong military or universal healthcare? Why or why not?

Question 17

Question 18, question 19, question 20, question 21.

If you could describe the color red to a blind person, how would you describe it? What about the color blue?

Question 22

Question 23, question 24.

Would you rather die by falling off a skyscraper or being buried in a landslide? Why?

Question 25

Question 26, question 27.

Is it better to have 1 million dollars in the bank or donate 10 million dollars to charity? Why or why not?

Question 28

Question 29, question 30, question 31, question 32, question 33, question 34, question 35, question 36, question 37.

If you had the chance to travel through time and change one historical event, what event would you change and why? How would you change it?

Question 38

Question 39, question 40.

If you had five minutes to defend the human race against an alien civilization who were going to destroy humanity, what would you say?

Question 41

Question 42, question 43, question 44.

Do someone’s actions impact their value as a person, such as serial killers?

Question 45

Question 46, question 47.

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Best critical thinking questions for high school students

Home » Questions » Best critical thinking questions for high school students

Developing critical thinking skills is essential for high school students as it equips them with the ability to analyze and evaluate information, solve problems, and make informed decisions. Critical thinking questions encourage students to think deeply, explore different perspectives, and challenge their own assumptions. These types of questions promote intellectual curiosity and foster a growth mindset. In this article, we have compiled a list of critical thinking questions specifically designed for high school students to encourage their analytical thinking abilities.

By asking critical thinking questions, high school students are encouraged to think beyond the surface level and delve into the underlying complexities of various subjects. These questions push students to evaluate evidence, consider different viewpoints, and develop their own informed opinions. Critical thinking questions also help students develop effective communication skills, as they learn to articulate their thoughts and reasoning clearly.

Engaging high school students in critical thinking activities not only enhances their academic performance but also equips them with essential life skills. These skills are valuable in various aspects of life, including problem-solving, decision-making, and effective communication. Now, let’s explore a variety of critical thinking questions that will challenge high school students to think critically and expand their intellectual horizons.

See these critical thinking questions for high school students

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of social media?
• How does the media influence public opinion?
• What are the ethical implications of genetic engineering?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory? Why or why not?
• What are the consequences of climate change?
• How does technology impact our daily lives?
• Is censorship ever justified?
• What are the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence?
• Should the voting age be lowered or raised?
• What are the effects of globalization on local cultures?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• How does socioeconomic status affect educational opportunities?
• What are the causes and consequences of income inequality?
• Should animal testing be banned?
• What are the implications of privacy in the digital age?
• How does media portrayals affect body image?
• What are the pros and cons of renewable energy sources?
• What role does art play in society?
• Should college education be free?
• What are the impacts of social media on mental health?
• How does culture influence our perception of beauty?
• What are the consequences of income inequality?
• Should standardized tests be the primary measure of student achievement?
• What are the implications of climate change on wildlife?
• How does the media influence body image?
• Should the government regulate the internet?
• What are the benefits and risks of nuclear power?
• Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be labeled?
• How does social media impact interpersonal relationships?
• What are the consequences of cyberbullying?
• Should the use of plastic bags be banned?
• What are the effects of fast-food consumption on health?
• How does advertising influence consumer behavior?
• Should the use of cell phones be allowed in schools?
• What are the implications of artificial intelligence in the job market?
• How does music influence our emotions?
• Should the government provide universal healthcare?
• What are the impacts of deforestation on the environment?
• How does social media affect political activism?
• Should the legal drinking age be lowered or raised?
• What are the consequences of bullying?
• How does cultural diversity contribute to society?
• Should athletes be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs?
• What are the effects of income inequality on society?

Engaging high school students in critical thinking questions not only enhances their cognitive abilities but also helps them become well-rounded individuals capable of navigating complex issues. Encourage students to explore these questions, challenge their assumptions, and develop their own perspectives. By fostering critical thinking skills, we empower the future generation to become effective problem solvers and informed decision-makers.

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19 Short Stories and Questions For Critical Thinking

Apr 2, 2024

There have been rumblings in different online teacher groups recently about replacing novels with short stories and informational articles in middle and high school English classrooms. I have to admit I was shocked when I first read the comments because I am a book lover at heart, but since then, I’ve considered that there are several pros and cons to this approach.

Short stories and other smaller texts can provide a briefer timeline to complete tasks, and this process is helpful when there is already SO MUCH curriculum to cover. Short stories and related activities can also be more engaging for our students because of the exposure to diverse voices and themes! Using short stories and lessons provides students with amazing choices to meet their needs and preferences!

On the other hand, incorporating mainly short stories and other shorter passages means students’ already-pressed attention spans (as a result of social media influences and pervasive sources of technology) are reinforced. Plus, students miss out on the more complex stories within longer pieces of fiction that are, dare I say, life-altering! A novel can provide opportunities for sustained reading and layers for analysis that shorter pieces of literature like short stories and related texts cannot offer.

Ultimately, no matter where you find yourself on the issue, I think we can all agree that short stories and their counterparts can be vital, effective, and helpful in the modern classroom!

Continue reading for 19 Short Stories and Questions For Critical Thinking!!

Need help with Test Prep ?  Check out this  FREE Pack of 3 Test Prep Activities  to help students achieve success on standardized tests!

Table of Contents

19 Short Stories and Questions – Suggestions for Teaching Them

You don’t need to remove all novels to be able to include short stories and smaller passages like vignettes, articles, and narratives; there’s a time and place for all genres! But if you’re thinking about ways to include more short stories and fun activities, check out this list of 19 varied short stories and critical thinking questions as well as suggestions for teaching them in middle school and high school.

1.  “The Most Dangerous Game” 

“The Most Dangerous Game” is one of my absolute favorite short stories and overall plots to teach! This suspenseful short story by Richard Connell follows the harrowing ordeal of Sanger Rainsford, a skilled hunter who becomes the prey of a deranged aristocrat named General Zaroff. Stranded on Zaroff’s secluded island, Rainsford must outwit the cunning general in a deadly game of survival, where the stakes are life and death. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHING:

• You could focus on the setting (description of time and place) and examine how the setting changes throughout the story.
• Students could learn about the plot (major events in the story) and list the major events and evidence as they read.
• Define foreshadowing (hints for what will happen by the end of the story) and encourage students to hypothesize about what will happen after every page.
• Analyze the character development (how a character changes over time) of Rainsford and highlight his traits/actions as you read along.

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS:

• How does the setting contribute to the tension and suspense in the story?
• How does the author use foreshadowing? How does the author hint at the danger Rainford is facing?
• What inferences can you make about the main character and the changes he undergoes from the beginning to the end of the story?

If you want to teach plot elements and plot analysis , check out this lesson bundle for the story , which includes comprehension quizzes and a variety of activities!

2.  “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”

Ambrose Bierce’s story is a gripping tale set during the American Civil War, where a Southern civilian named Peyton Farquhar faces execution by hanging after attempting to sabotage a Union railroad bridge. As Farquhar falls through the trapdoor, time seems to stretch, and he experiences a surreal moment, only to realize his grim reality. 

Integrating historical texts with other short stories and passages like “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” will make history come more alive and relevant for our students!

• Teach about irony (when the opposite occurs from what is expected) and how it plays a role throughout the story.
• Explain the term characterization (how a character is depicted) by looking at direct and indirect references while reading with your students.
• Discuss the major themes (messages) of the story and how they connect to our modern era within a Socratic Seminar.
• How does the author use characterization to convey Peyton Farquhar’s thoughts, emotions, and motivations?
• What is the purpose of irony in this story? How does its use affect the reader’s interpretation and understanding of events?
• What is the significance in our contemporary/real world of the themes of the story, including reality and fantasy, the passage of time, and the consequences of actions?

Ensure students’ understanding of the story with this set of reading questions that are perfect for state test prep, too !

3.  “The Masque of the Red Death”

This chilling tale from Edgar Allan Poe is set in a secluded abbey where Prince Prospero and his wealthy guests attempt to escape a deadly plague known as the Red Death. Despite their isolation efforts, the guests are confronted with their own mortality as a mysterious figure in a blood-red mask appears.

If you have not read any short stories and poems from Poe, this story is a perfect journey into the horror genre!

• The setting (description of time and place) plays a MAJOR role in the story, so following the Prince from room to room and highlighting the imagery (description that connects to the five senses) is very important when reading.
• If you have not introduced mood  (emotion intended for the reader to experience), this story is PERFECT for delineating its progression from start to finish.
• As students read, you might guide them through identifying various examples of  symbolism  (object, person, or place that represents something else); each room, objects within, and the “antagonist” is symbolic in some way!
• How does the author convey the tone of the story? How would you, as the reader, describe the story’s mood?
• What role does the plot structure (focus on the different rooms) play in shaping the reader’s understanding of the story?
• What is the purpose of the symbolism in the story such as the clock and the masked figure?

Check out this EASY-TO-TEACH bundle , you can practice with your students, so they will feel more confident analyzing higher-level language in “The Masque of the Red Death!”

4.  “The Cask of Amontillado”

Another chilling tale from Poe is the classic story “The Cask of Amontillado.” This one is set during Carnival in an unnamed Italian city. The plot centers on a man seeking revenge on a ‘friend’ he believes has insulted him. If your students are anything like mine, they will relish the ending particularly!

This is just one more of Poe’s short stories and tales that will capture the mind of every reader!

•  As you plan for this short story, be sure to encourage your students to analyze the changing setting (description of time and place); following Fortunato from scene to scene will help your students track what is really going on.
• This story is the perfect moment to teach about dialogue (conversation within someone=internal and/or between someone and someone/thing else=external); Montresor certainly means more than what he SEEMS to say!
• You might also offer a mini-lesson on the 3 types of irony and how each plays a role in the story: verbal (when a person says the opposite of what is really intended), situational (an action occurs that is the opposite from what the reader expects), and dramatic (a character expects a result, but the opposite occurs and the audience can tell what will happen)!
• Describe Montresor. What are his motives and personality?
• What inferences can you make about Montresor’s mindset based on his dialogue?
• What is the purpose of the family’s motto and the carnival atmosphere? 

Check out this Short Story Activity & Quiz Bundle for Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” which contains questions and answers modeled after various reading standardized tests as well as pre-quiz reading comprehension questions, graphic organizers, and a writing activity to get students thinking critically about this classic short story involving REVENGE!

Want 7 more teaching ideas for one of Poe’s epic short stories and questions to go with it? Click below!

5.  “To Build a Fire”

This story by Jack London describes the treacherous journey of a man through the harsh Yukon wilderness during extreme cold. Despite warnings and the company of a loyal dog, the man’s arrogance and underestimation of nature’s power lead to a tragic end.

Short stories and ideas related to survival in nature are still relevant today! Who knows when you might get lost on a hike or crashland in no man’s land?

• This story is PERFECT for a bit of  literary analysis  (examining the impact of various ideas, elements, or themes within a piece of literature); you could hone in on literary devices, characterization, theme, etc.!
• Integrating clips from survival shows will help students see connections to the world and extend their thinking by comparing (recognizing similarities) and contrasting (recognizing differences) varied experiences!
• Write a short narrative about surviving 24 hours in a different setting (description of time and place).
• How does the author use irony? Provide an example and explain. 
• What real-world connections can be made between this story and our contemporary life? 
• What is the story’s message about preparedness and respecting nature?

Grab these engaging short stories and activities to make teaching this Jack London story stress-free!

6.  “The Cactus”

Told from the point of view of a young man at his former lover’s wedding, the narrator retells their story. Like most of O. Henry’s short stories and texts, this one has a twist that involves the titular cactus plant.

The ending will end in a bit of fun for your students!

• Introduce diction (word choice) and its impact within the story by hyperfocusing on specific words within the story . Students can look up definitions, locate synonyms, create their own sentences, replace the words, etc.
• Investigate twist endings (unexpected finish to a story); before reading the end of the story, ask students to guess why the girl “rejected” him. Some students may know the answer before reading it!
• Describe the main characters. What similarities and differences are evident? How does this affect the story’s action?
• What inferences can you make about Trysdale and his feelings about love and marriage?
• What are the real and symbolic meanings of the cactus?

This resource packed with questions and answers, graphic organizers, and writing activities is sure to get your students thinking about this love story driven by misconceptions.

7.  “After Twenty Years”

This tale of friendship and betrayal focuses on the reunion of two old friends after twenty years apart on a New York City street corner. As they reminisce, something is revealed that demonstrates the reality of their bond as well as the choices they’ve made in life.

If you have not read O. Henry’s short stories and incorporated character analysis yet, this is your chance! The story is not long and can be completed in one to two class periods!

• Sometimes, we ask students to visualize (create a picture) in their minds, but why not give them the opportunity to use their artistic skills to draw the two characters?
• As students read, annotate for a description of each character; then, students can do a character analysis (investigation of the characters’ similarities and differences).
• What type of irony is used in the story? How does its use affect your interpretation and understanding of the story?
• How does the urban setting contribute to the mood of the story?
• What is the story’s message about friendship and loyalty?

Examine the links between loyalty and duty with this set of resources designed specifically for this O. Henry story.

8.  “The Lottery”

“The Lottery” is the quintessential short story for middle school or high school English! Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” tells the story of an annual ritual that takes place in a seemingly idyllic town. When the townsfolk gather for the lottery drawing, a shocking turn of events demonstrates the dark side of human nature and their ties to (outdated) traditions.

• Introduce the terms suspense (uncertainty and/or excitement leading up to a major event) and tension (anxiety or uneasy feelings experienced by characters). While reading, identify evidence that relates to each of these concepts and chat/write about their impact on meaning and plot.
• Teach title (the name of the text) analysis. The title of “The Lottery” is perfect for teaching the impact of the title and audience expectations. Before reading, students may write what they believe the story will be about based on the title. After reading, students can complete a quick write responding to their previous expectations! You can do a text analysis for all short stories and poems!
• What role does the plot structure play in building suspense and tension? (Consider the revelation of the lottery’s ‘prize’ in particular.)
• What social commentary is being made through the story and its characters?
• Describe Mr. Summers, Tessie, and Old Man Warner. What does the story reveal about their role in the community and their feelings about the lottery?

Give yours elf a breath of fresh air with this NO PREP curriculum that integrates test prep within the teaching of literature by using Shirley Jackson’s quintessential story!

9.  “The Pedestrian”

This Ray Bradbury story follows a lone walker in a futuristic society in which everyone else is consumed by technology, particularly the television. One evening, the walker encounters a police car that questions his unusual behavior and the end is quite unexpected! (Most of Bradbury’s short stories and texts connect to the future and technology in some way!)

• This story exemplifies Dystopian Literature (texts that include a supposedly perfect future society marred in some way by governmental or societal oppression). Using this story to introduce this type of literature is always fun for students because they will easily make connections to other dystopic short stories and poems!
• Teach about mood (the emotional impact of a story’s description/action). The goal is to get students to deepen their critical thinking skills by recognizing how the mood changes and the purpose for that change!
• How does the author use foreshadowing and suspense to build the mood of the story?
• What is the central theme of the story? How might it connect with our current world?
• What similes and metaphors does Bradbury use to describe the community and its members? What is notable about these comparisons?

With this resource about Bradbury’s “The Pedestrian,” you can just print and teach the lesson and activities with EASE! 

10.  “The Gift of the Magi”

This 1905 story by O. Henry relays a tale about a couple struggling to make ends meet. Throughout the story, they both figure out gifts to buy one another for Christmas and realize what love truly means!

• Review character traits (how a character is depicted internally and externally). Log the traits of each character within the story and how they are important to the meaning of the story.
• Extend (move beyond the text) critical thinking skills by encouraging students to think and write about other people. If they had $1,000 to spend on someone else, how would they spend the money and why?

• How would you describe Della and Jim, and their relationship?
• What values do the characters have, when you consider their actions and decisions?
• Explain how dramatic irony is used in the story. Is it necessary? Is it effective? Why or why not?

This tale is a great addition to your short stories and questions unit around the winter holidays! Save yourself time at that time of the year with this lesson bundle . 

11.  “The Monkey’s Paw” 

“The Monkey’s Paw” is a classic horror story about the White family who come into possession of a mystical monkey’s paw that grants three wishes. Despite warnings, they use it and then face devastating consequences as a result.

• Teach about the elements of the horror/suspense genre (Ex. Scary movies are typically dark, stormy, surprising, morbid, etc.).
• Create a thematic statement (message relayed by the text in a complete sentence). There is no perfectly created theme (message) unless it is directly stated by the author; however, students can create a theme by supporting their ideas with evidence from the story!
• What is the main theme of the story? Or how does the author communicate the themes of greed or fate? Is one stronger than the other?
• Are Mr. and Mrs. White more alike or different from one another? How do you know?
• Should we be afraid of the unknown? What message does the story share? Do you agree or disagree?

Examine W.W. Jacobs’ classic story with this set of questions and answers along with rigorous reading and writing activities . While it is ideal for a spooky season, the story is valuable for its ability to hook readers any time of year!

12.  “Lamb to the Slaughter” 

This classic story with a killer plot twist is about a woman who kills her husband and gets away with murder thanks to cooking a leg of lamb!

• You could introduce the plot elements (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution), encourage students to identify major events to fit each element and write down textual evidence to support their ideas.
• Complete a film analysis (examination of film techniques and their effects) to compare/contrast the short story with the classic Alfred Hitchcock television episode.
• What is Mary Maloney’s state of mind? Does it remain the same or does it change throughout the story? Explain.
• Is the resolution of the story satisfying? Why or why not? Why do you think the author ended it as he did?
• How does irony contribute to the theme of deception in the story? Explain.

Spice up your middle school English or high school English class with this short stories and activities bundle for Dahl’s famous story!

13.  “The Tell-Tale Heart” 

Poe’s classic psychological thriller is narrated by an unnamed protagonist who insists on their sanity while recounting how they murdered an old man. The narrator is haunted by the sound of the victim’s beating heart, which ultimately drives him to confess to the crime despite not originally being a suspect. 

• Teach symbolism (object, person, or place that represents something else) by focusing on the heart and eye . The author used these symbols in various ways!
• Investigate psychology (the study of the human mind) as a part of the story. Determine what is fact and what is fiction within the narrator’s mind.
• What does the story reveal about the human psyche?
• What is the deeper meaning of the two key symbols in the story – the beating heart and the eye of the old man?
• What role do the narrator’s inner thoughts play in the development of the plot?

This Short Story Comprehension Bundle offers quick (and effective!) ways to assess students’ learning and understanding of the story. It’s easy to use and will no doubt save you time too!

14.  “The Scarlet Ibis” 

Emotional short stories and their counterparts have a place as well in English classrooms! This short story by James Hurst about two brothers is a heartbreaking must-read. Through flashbacks, the unnamed narrator tells the life story of his younger sickly brother William Armstrong, who is nicknamed Doodle. And the end…well, you’ll see.

• Define and explain the purpose of a flashback (referring back to the past within a story). Think about the implications of never thinking back on the past or always thinking about the past.
• Complete a comparison chart between Doodle and the Ibis as you read along. Then, students can create a visual of each after they have ready by using their own evidence!
• What is the meaning of the story’s title and the presence of a scarlet ibis in the story?
• What is the central theme of the story? How do the events of the story support this chosen theme?
• How does the author use personification for the storm? What effect does this have on the story?

This flexible resource features critical thinking questions and answers as well as writing and reading activities for students to explore Hurst’s heartbreaking story.

15.  “The Veldt” 

This science fiction story by Ray Bradbury was first published as “The World the Children Made” and it is quite fitting as a title! The story focuses on a futuristic world in which a video screen can be controlled and it turns out to be more than simple virtual reality! By the story’s conclusion, the world the children made is the downfall of their parents. 

• Compare and contrast “The Veldt” with “The Pedestrian,” two short stories and dystopic texts by Ray Bradbury. Analyze the similarities and differences of both short stories and create a thematic statement that connects to both texts!
• Make connections to our current reality in the 21st century. Locate research about the implications of technology on young people and integrate this information as you discuss this short story.
• How does the author address the theme of technology versus humanity in the story? Do you agree with this commentary? Why or why not?
• How does the nursery reflect the personalities of Wendy and Peter in this story?
• Do you know the story of Peter Pan and his friend Wendy? What connections can you make between it and this story by Ray Bradbury?

Ray Bradbury’s classic short stories and similar passages are the BEST to teach in middle and high school English! With so much to dive into, they are sure to be a hit with your students. Grab this set of activities to extend your students’ engagement with rigorous reading and writing activities about “The Veldt.” 

16.  “The Necklace” 

A woman who longs for a life of luxury and elegance beyond her means faces consequences when she loses a borrowed necklace. Guy de Maupassant’s story ends with a twist that has the reader question the value of material possessions. 

• I love comparing this short story with O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi.” You might choose to focus on the theme, characterization, setting, etc.
• Summarize (writing about the main idea with details) each chunk of the story as you read with your students. Instead of asking students to write a paragraph, you could ask students to create each summary in only one sentence.
• The story explores vanity, deception, and the consequences of striving for social status. Which theme do you think is the most important? Explain with support from the story.
• Is Mathilde Loisel a likable character? Does this change during the story? Does it matter if the reader likes her? Why or why not?
• What clues does the author provide throughout the story that foreshadow the twist at the story’s end?

Focus on the standards with this Short Story Lesson Bundle for “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant!

Need help with implementing activities for “The Necklace?” See below!

17.  “A Vendetta” 

Guy de Maupassant’s late-19th-century story is all about REVENGE. A mother is obsessed with creating a plan to avenge her son’s murder and she then puts the plan into action with a morbid outcome.

• There are so many texts that involve REVENGE! Why not use this concept as a focus for a thematic unit (texts linked to a similar concept and/or message)? You could read “A Poison Tree,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “Lamb to the Slaughter” as well as “A Vendetta” with the intention of writing about all 4 for a comparison/contrast paper, presentation, or seminar.
• Analyze the development (how a character changes over time) of the mother and the dog throughout the story; you might annotate for similarities and differences as well as their motivations!
• What comment is the story making about the nature (or need) for justice? Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
• What similes and metaphors does the author use to communicate the main character’s feelings about the vendetta?
• How does the author use details to explain the main character’s thoughts, feelings, and motivation?

Add these activities for this lesser-known work to your short story plans. It’s sure to keep things fresh for your short stories and activities unit! 

18.  “Thank You, Ma’am” (also known as “Thank You, M’am”)

This heartfelt story by Langston Hughes tells the story of Luella, an older woman in the neighborhood, who is nearly robbed by a young man named Roger. In response to Roger, Luella brings him back to her home and treats him with an abundance of kindness, which has a profound effect on Roger.

This tale is at the top of the list for the BEST short stories and passages for upper middle and younger high school students!

• Introduce perspective and/or point of view (how a story is told: 1st, 2nd, 3rd omniscient, 3rd limited, 3rd objective). Students might rewrite the story from another perspective or extend the story using the perspective of one of the main characters.
• Review plot elements with a focus on the exposition (introduction to the characters, setting, and conflict), climax (highest point of interest/turning point of the story), and resolution (how the story is concluded and/or resolved in some way.) You could assign an activity surrounding each concept: visualization of the scene, a journal response to the event, or a short response focused on how the element is important to the overall theme!

• Do you believe in second chances? What does the story say about second chances? 
• How might the climax of the story also be seen as the turning point in Roger’s life?
• How would you describe Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones? Are her actions expected or unexpected in the story? Consider from Roger’s and the reader’s point of view.

Click to check out all of the details for this BUNDLE with differentiated options , which includes a Test Prep Quiz (with varied options), Venn Diagrams, Graphic Organizers, and Writing Responses!! 

19.  “Click Clack the Rattle Bag”

This short story by Neil Gaiman is creepy and fun in the best ways possible! The narrator is taking care of his girlfriend’s little brother and walking him to bed when the child asks for a story. Instead of the narrator sharing a story, the boy shares about the Click Clacks who drink their prey and leave behind rattling bodies. The end is too good to be missed!

Short stories and plots like those in “Click Clack the Rattle Bag” will most certainly engage even your most struggling learners!

• We all know that test prep can be tough as many reading passages are, well, boring! Why not accomplish some test prep with your students and incorporate 5 standardized test-related questions ? You could focus on theme, structure, order of events, characterization, etc.!
• Help students make inferences (acknowledging and hypothesizing about the impact of details that are not directly referenced or stated) as the scene moves along. Students can analyze the change in the setting, the little boy himself, the story the boy is telling, and specific phrases from the story.
• What details in the story contribute to its eerie atmosphere or mood? Or what figurative language devices does Neil Gaiman use to create a sense of suspense in the story? 
• How does the author use ambiguity in the story? Is it effective or not? Explain.
• What inferences can you make about the relationship between the narrator and the young boy?

This “Click Clack the Rattle Bag” Quiz Pack for middle and high school students uses the Common Core standards and contains questions and answers modeled after various state standardized tests! Make teaching this amazing short story by Neil Gaiman SIMPLE & EASY!

Why should we incorporate more short stories and activities in our teaching?

While I would never advocate replacing all novels with short stories and smaller texts, there is still something to be said about spending quality time with short stories and excerpts. 

Including short stories and standards-based activities is an ideal option to improve reading comprehension and develop skills, especially in middle and high school English classes!

SHORT STORIES AND ACTIVITIES RESOURCES: 

This  Short Stories and Test Prep Questions ULTIMATE BUNDLE with Lessons, Quizzes, and Activities uses the Common Core standards with reading comprehension QUESTIONS and ANSWERS for 18 short stories such as “The Most Dangerous Game,” “The Monkey’s Paw,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “After Twenty Years,” “The Gift of the Magi,” “The Veldt,” “The Lottery,” “The Pedestrian,” etc. modeled after various state reading exams.

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15 Thought-Provoking Questions for High School Students to Spark Critical Thinking

Thought-provoking questions are a great way to challenge and engage high school students. These types of questions encourage critical thinking, promote self-reflection, and spark meaningful conversations. Here are some thought-provoking questions for high school students:

What is the meaning of life?

What is the biggest challenge facing our generation?

How do we define success?

What is the most important thing you have learned in life so far?

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

What role does technology play in our lives?

How do our experiences shape who we are?

How do we find balance in a fast-paced world?

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned from failure?

How do we determine right from wrong?

What do you believe is the key to happiness?

What is the purpose of education?

How do we create a better future for ourselves and future generations?

What does it mean to be a good leader?

What is the most important thing you want to achieve in your lifetime?

Encouraging students to think deeply about these questions can help them develop their own values and beliefs, and prepare them for the challenges of adulthood. Whether through class discussions, writing assignments, or one-on-one conversations, asking thought-provoking questions is a valuable tool for high school teachers and mentors.

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85 Fun Critical Thinking Questions for Kids & Teens

Have you ever thought about using fun questions to practice critical thinking?

Students may need a little guidance to think their way through questions that lack straightforward answers.

But it is that process that is important!

How the Right Questions Encourage Critical Thinking

Every parent knows how natural it is for children to ask questions. 

It should be encouraged. After all, asking questions helps with critical thinking.

As they grow older, however, training them to answer questions can be equally beneficial.

Posing questions that encourage kids to analyze, compare, and evaluate information can help them develop their ability to think critically about tough topics in the future. 

Of course, critical thinking questions for kids need to be age-appropriate—even better if you can mix a little fun into it!

That’s what I hope to help you with today. I’ve organized the questions below into three different ages groups:

• Upper elementary
• Middle school
• High school 

Get a Question-Based Critical Thinking Exercise—Free!

Introduce critical thinking gently & easily with thought-provoking exercises.

Upper Elementary

Students in upper elementary grades can be reluctant to put themselves out there, especially with answers that seem weird. 

In some cases, such hesitancy is actually fear of differing from their peers (and a barrier to critical thinking ). 

But that’s exactly why it’s important to practice answering ambiguous questions. 

We want our children to stand firm for their beliefs—not cave to peer pressure. 

Additionally, students may feel uneasy about answering serious questions, uncertain of tackling “big” problems. 

However, with careful use of creative questions for kids, it’s possible to engage even the most reluctant children in this age group. 

The idea is to simply get them interested in the conversation and questions asked.

If you have an especially reserved student, try starting with the funny critical thinking questions. 

Humor is a natural icebreaker that can make critical thinking questions more lighthearted and enjoyable. 

Of course, most younger kids just like to be silly, so playing upon that can keep them active and engaged.

With that said, here are some great questions to get you started:

1. Someone gives you a penguin. You can’t sell it or give it away. What do you do with it?

2. What would it be like if people could fly?

3. If animals could talk, what question would you ask? 

4. If you were ice cream, what kind would you be and why?

5. Do you want to travel back in time? If yes, how far back would you go? If no, why not?

6. What could you invent that would help your family? 

7. If you could stay up all night, what would you do?

8. What does the man on the moon do during the day?

9. What makes something weird or normal? 

10. Can you describe the tastes “salty” and “sweet” without using those words?

11. What does it feel like to ride a rollercoaster?

12. What makes a joke funny?

13. What two items would you take if you knew you would be stranded on an island and why?

14. Do you have a favorite way of laughing?

15. What noise makes you cringe and cover your ears? Why?

16. If you could be the parent for the day, what would you do?

17. If you could jump into your favorite movie and change the outcome, which one would you pick and why?

18. If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

19. What makes a day “perfect”?

20. If you owned a store, what kind of products would you sell?

21. If your parents were your age, would you be friends with them?

22. Would you still like your favorite food if it tasted the same as always, but now had an awful smell?

23. What would you do if you forgot to put your shoes on before leaving home?

24. Who would you be if you were a cartoon character?

25. How many hot dogs do you think you could eat in one sitting?

26. If you could breathe under water, what would you explore?

27. At what age do you think you stop being a kid?

28. If you had springs in your legs, what would you be able to do?

29. Can you describe the color blue to someone if they’re blind?

Middle School

At this point, students start to acquire more complex skills and are able to form their own conclusions based on the information they’re given. 

However, we can’t expect deep philosophical debates with 12 and 13 year olds. 

That said, as parent-teachers, we can certainly begin using more challenging questions to help them examine and rationalize their thought processes. 

Browse the fun critical thinking questions below for students in this age range. 

You might be surprised to see how receptive middle school kids can be to such thought-provoking (yet still fun) questions .

30. What would happen if it really did rain cats and dogs?

31. What does it mean to be lucky?

32. If you woke up in the middle of a dream, where would you be?

33. Is it ever okay to lie? Why or why not?

34. If you were solely responsible for creating laws, what one law would you make?

35. What makes a person a good friend?

36. What do you think is the most important skill you can take into adulthood?

37. If you had to give up lunch or dinner, which would you choose? Why?

38. How much money would you need to be considered rich?

39. If you knew you wouldn’t get caught, would you cheat on a test?

40. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

41. What is your greatest strength? How is that an asset?

42. If you had an opportunity to visit the International Space Station, would you do it?

43. Is it better to keep the peace or speak your mind?

44. Imagine yourself as your favorite animal. How would you spend your day?

45. Would you be friends with someone who didn’t have the same values as you?

46. How much screen time do you think is too much?

47. Can you describe your favorite color without naming it?

48. If you suddenly became blind, would you see things differently?

49. Would you ever go skydiving?

50. Describe the time you were the happiest in your life. Why did this make you happy?

51. If you had a million dollars, what would you do?

52. If you had to move to a new city, would you change how you present yourself to others?

53. What do you need to do in order to be famous?

54. If you could rewrite the ending of your favorite book or movie, what changes would you make?

55. How would you tackle a huge goal?

56. How would you sell ice to an eskimo in Alaska successfully?

57. What makes you unique?

High School

Critical thinking takes on an entirely different role once students reach high school. 

At this age, they have a greater sense of right and wrong (and what makes things so) as well as a better understanding of the world’s challenges.

Guiding teens to delve deeper and contemplate such things is an important part of developing their reasoning and critical thinking skills. 

Whether it’s fun questions about hypothetical superpowers or tough critical thinking questions about life, older teens typically have what it takes to think their way to a logical conclusion . 

Of course, use your discernment as you choose discussion topics, but here are some questions to help get you started:

58. How can you avoid [common problem] in the future?

59. Do you think it’s okay to take a life in order to save 5, 10, 20 or more people?

60. If you could go back and give your younger self advice, what would it be?

61. Is it better to give or receive a gift?

62. How important is it to be financially secure? Why?

63. If it was up to you, what one rule would you change in your family?

64. What would you do if a group of friends wanted to do something that you thought was a bad idea?

65. How do you know that something is a fact rather than an opinion?

66. What would it take to get you to change your mind?

67. What’s the most important thing in your life?

68. If money were of no concern, what job would you choose and why?

69. How do you know if you’re happy?

70. Do you think euthanasia is moral?

71. What is something you can do today that you weren’t able to do a year ago?

72. Is social media a good thing or not?

73. Is it right to keep animals in a zoo?

74. How does your attitude affect your abilities?

75. What would you do if you found out a friend was doing something dangerous?

76. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?

77. What will life on Earth look like in 50 years?

78. Which is more important, ending world hunger or global warming?

79. Is it a good idea to lower the voting age to 16? Why or why not?

80. If the electrical power went out today, how would you cook if using wood wasn’t an option?

81. If you could magically transport yourself to any other place, where would that be and why?

82. When should teenagers be able to stay out all night?

83. Does the number zero actually exist?

84. What defines a generous person?

85. Does an influential person influence everyone?

Feel free to print out these fun critical thinking questions and incorporate them into your homeschool week!

will your children recognize truth?

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125 Philosophical Questions To Encourage Critical Thinking and Self-Exploration

Our world is full of mysteries—why not try to solve a few? One of the most incredible ways to encourage critical thinking and self-exploration is to ask kids thought-provoking questions. Hearing the responses and exchanging ideas can really expand our perspectives and leave us with important food for thought. Want to try? Here are some philosophical questions to share with students in the classroom.

What Is a Philosophical Question?

Philosophical questions usually explore human nature, morality, ethics, the origins of the universe, and even the afterlife. These types of questions require deep thinking and don’t usually have straightforward, clear answers. They leave a lot of room for interpretation, which is why they are so interesting and fun!

Fun Philosophical Questions

1. Which really came first, the chicken or the egg?

2. If you’d been given a different name, would you be a different person?

3. Would the world be more peaceful if kids were in charge?

4. What is kindness?

5. Do you think music is a universal language?

6. What does happiness feel like in your mind and body?

7. Can one person really change the world?

8. If it was possible to live forever, would you want to?

9. If people live in a time zone ahead of us, does this mean they live in the future?

10. Can a person be happy and sad at the same time?

Philosophical Questions About Life & Society

11. What is the meaning of life?

12. What is the biggest issue in our society right now?

13. What is your vision of the ideal society?

14. Do you think it’s important to conform in society?

15. How can humans improve the world in the next five years?

16. What is the most important thing in life?

17. Are people too greedy?

18. How could the world change for the better?

19. Is failure ever useful?

20. What would life be like if we never experienced pain?

21. Why is it important to help others?

22. What is freedom?

23. Can too much freedom be a bad thing?

24. Should we have to pay for basic needs such as food, water, and shelter?

25. Should education be free?

Philosophical Questions About Growing Up

26. When do children become adults?

27. Are adults as curious as kids?

28. At what age does an adult become “old”?

29. What can kids learn from grown-ups?

30. What can grown-ups learn from kids?

31. Do we become wise through age, study, or experience?

32. Does birth order affect people’s personalities?

33. Do people need to have children?

34. If you could give your younger self one piece of life advice, what would it be?

Philosophical Questions About Love & Relationships

35. What is love?

36. Is love about feelings, words, or actions?

37. Does unconditional love really exist?

38. How do you know you are loved?

39. What causes someone to fall in love?

40. What makes a good friend?

41. Are romantic relationships important?

42. Do soulmates exist?

43. Can someone be in love with more than one person?

44. Do you think love at first sight really exists?

45. Is love blind?

46. Can you love others if you don’t love yourself?

47. What makes a relationship last for many years?

48. Do large age gaps matter in a relationship?

Philosophical Questions About Animals

49. Do humans treat animals properly or do we need to improve?

50. Are dairy and eggs more ethical to eat than meat?

51. What would life be like if animals were dominant over humans?

52. Have some animals or creatures walked the Earth that we don’t know about?

53. Do spiders or bugs experience emotional pain?

54. Do animals feel love?

55. Are animals less intelligent than humans?

56. Do animals like being kept as pets?

57. Is it OK to kill bugs?

58. Do you think our pets have names for us too?

Philosophical Questions About Death

59. Where does the soul come from?

60. Does the soul die when the body does?

61. Do you believe in life after death or reincarnation? Why or why not?

62. What do you believe about this statement: “Everyone dies twice. Once with their body and again the last time someone mentions their name.”?

63. If you only had five years left to live, how would you live differently?

64. Is euthanasia an immoral way to end a life?

65. Would you ever want to know how or when you were going to die?

66. Should everyone have to be an organ donor?

Philosophical Questions About the Universe

67. Do you believe in life on other planets?

68. Why are we here on Earth?

69. Do you believe in astrology?

70. Are there alternate universes?

71. Have aliens visited Earth?

72. Should we be spending money to develop space travel?

73. Do you think there could be time travelers living among us right now?

74. If someone could time-travel, would it be ethically wrong to change history?

75. If an advanced life-form from another planet wanted to eat us, would that be wrong considering we eat animals on Earth?

76. What do you think is out in space that we have not discovered yet?

77. If aliens were to come tomorrow, what would you do?

Philosophical Questions About Law & Governance

78. Are equal and fair the same thing?

79. What makes something right and something wrong?

80. Will war ever go away?

81. Is our legal system fair?

82. Is it OK to commit a crime to save another person’s life?

83. Is it OK to steal something to survive?

84. Should the legal drinking age be lower or higher?

85. Should the legal age for driving be lower or higher?

86. Should good healthcare be a universal right?

87. Should people living an unhealthy lifestyle pay more for healthcare?

88. Should there be stricter laws about what goes into our food?

89. If killing someone saved hundreds of other people, would that make it OK?

90. Does power change people?

91. What makes a crime a crime?

92. Should buses have seat belts?

Philosophical Questions About the Paranormal

93. Have you ever had any paranormal or strange experiences that defy explanation?

94. Do you believe in ghosts or spirits?

95. Do humans have extrasensory powers like psychic abilities or telepathy?

96. Do you believe in miracles?

97. Do you think that life is predetermined or that you choose your own path?

98. Does karma really exist?

99. Is it possible that paranormal creatures like vampires and werewolves really do exist?

100. Do you believe in the law of attraction?

Philosophical Questions About Science & Technology

101. What has been the greatest advancement or invention of our time?

102. Can robots develop emotions, consciousness, or morality?

103. Are you controlling your technology or is your technology controlling you?

104. Is social media a good thing in our society?

105. Why is it so easy to spread misinformation on social media?

106. Do you think the environment is in danger?

107. Do you think that technology is advancing us or destroying us?

108. Is time travel possible?

109. Will climate change affect us in the future?

110. Is technology making us more polarized or more open in our thinking?

111. Is technology gathering too much of our information?

Tough Philosophical Questions

112. Can people change?

113. What makes someone human?

114. Is hope essential to life?

115. What is intuition (your gut feeling)?

116. Why are we so afraid of the unknown?

117. Is there only one truth or can it be different for everyone?

118. Do we need good and evil to coexist in life?

119. What are dreams?

120. Is it possible to be in the wrong place at the right time?

121. Should wealthy people leave their money to their family or give it to charity?

122. Is lying ever OK?

123. Will life as we know it end someday?

124. Why do we remember things we should forget and forget things we want to remember?

125. Where do our thoughts come from?

What are your favorite philosophical questions? Come share on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus, check out  100+ fun icebreaker questions for kids and teens ., dig deeper with our longreads, newsletter sign up to get our best longform features, investigations, and thought-provoking essays, in your inbox every sunday..

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36 Question Stems Framed Around Bloom’s Taxonomy

Question stems can be used as thinking prompts for class discussions, prompting, and various forms of assessment.

Question Stems Framed Around Bloom’s Taxonomy

by TeachThought Staff

While critical thinking is a foundation rather than a brick, how you build that foundation depends on the learning process itself: exposing students to new thinking and promoting interaction with that thinking in a gradual release of responsibility approach.

Question stems can be a powerful part of that process no matter where the learner is. They can be used as metacognitive and higher-order thinking prompts for class discussions, prompting, cueing, pre-assessment, self-assessment, formative and summative assessment, etc. 

See also  28 Critical Thinking Question Stems & Response Cards ($2.95)

The following graphic includes 25+ question stems framed around the early, non-revised Bloom’s Taxonomy are worth a gander.

In the ‘Knowledge’ category, question stems focus on helping students identify and recall information — these are often referred to as ‘literal’ questions, because a learner could more than likely point to a specific location in a text and say, “This is the answer.”

‘Comprehension’ question stems go a step further by prompting the students to make explain concepts or relationships in their own words, demonstrating that they can organize and select facts and ideas from within and across texts.

With ‘Application,’ students elevate their thinking by applying what they comprehend. They use facts, rules, and principles to relate their learning to other contexts, like text-to-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self connections.

In ‘Analysis,’ learners separate parts from a whole. They may categorize information, compare and contrast, or use a diagram to show relationships.

‘Synthesis’ requires students to combine ideas to form a new idea. Here, students are moving toward creation and ingenuity. They can make predictions and devise prototypes for presented problems.

Finally, ‘Evaluation’ question stems prompt students to share their own thinking, or to make judgments based on a body of evidence and/or opinion. 

While this version of Bloom’s Taxonomy has since been revised, we see value in these question stems as resources to help students think more deeply, and to help teachers start them off on the right track. 

Image attribution flickr enokson

TeachThought is an organization dedicated to innovation in education through the growth of outstanding teachers.

15 Questions that Teachers and Parents Can Ask Kids to Encourage Critical Thinking

By Maureen Leming

Each student walks across the graduation stage, diploma in one hand and a proverbial toolbox in the other. Inside the box is every skill and piece of knowledge they've learned throughout their childhood. The contents of this toolbox will be their building blocks to success beyond high school.

In addition to impressive classroom discoveries — like producing electricity from potatoes or building their own paper mache volcano — there's a vital skill every student should possess: critical thinking. They'll use this skill to assess, critique, and create, propelling them to thrive in the real world as they participate in engaging conversations and offer constructive solutions to real-world issues.

Fortunately, this valuable skill can be developed both inside and out of the classroom. Teachers and parents can encourage kids to think deeply and critically about the world by asking good questions. We'll explore why, as parents and teachers, the questions we ask our kids matter — and what we can be asking to help them excel.

How Questions Guide Young Students’ Critical Thinking 

Critical thinking is about so much more than simply knowing the facts. Thinking critically involves applying reason and logic to assess arguments and come to your own conclusions. Instead of reciting facts or giving a textbook answer, critical thinking skills encourage students to move beyond knowing information and get to the heart of what they really think and believe. 

15 Questions to Encourage Critical Thinking

What is one of the best ways to encourage critical thinking? By asking excellent questions! 

We have compiled a list of 15 questions that you, as a teacher or parent, can ask to encourage kids to think outside the box. Let's dive in.

1. How Do You Know This? 

Whether it was by word of mouth, classroom knowledge, or a news report, this question prompts students to consider whether their source of information is reputable.

2. How Would Your Perspective Be Different If You Were on the Opposing Side?

This question encourages kids to role-play from an opposing person’s viewpoint and discover a perspective outside their own so that they can better understand the broader situation. Extracurriculars like debate class — mandatory for all Hun middle school students — is a powerful way to accomplish this goal, as students must thoughtfully anticipate their opposition's arguments in order to counter them.

3. How Would You Solve This Problem?

Finding creative solutions to common problems is a valuable life skill. This question is the perfect opportunity to encourage young minds to wander!

4. Do You Agree or Disagree — and Why?

Choosing a side in any debate challenges students to consider both perspectives, weigh the arguments, and make an informed choice. 

5. Why? Why? Why?

Just like when you were a young kid, ask why repeatedly to push students beyond a simple first, second, or even third answer, to get to the real depth. Be careful, though, not to ask them to the point of frustration — you want learning and exploring to be a positive experience.

6. How Could We Avoid This Problem in the Future?

Ask students to apply critical thinking by analyzing how they could prevent a certain issue from reoccurring.

7. Why Does It Matter?

Whether they're learning about a historical event or a mathematical concept, it's important to understand why the topic is relevant today.

8. What's Another Way to Look at This Issue?

It can be easy to learn one worldview and automatically believe it is the only, or the best, way. Challenging kids to think of a creative alternate perspective encourages them to think more broadly.

9. Can You Give Me an Example?

Inventing an example, or pulling from experience to share a real one, is an excellent way to apply critical thinking skills.

10. How Could It Have Ended Differently?

It takes some innovation and careful analysis to storyboard a different ending, considering "what could have been" rather than "what is." 

11. When Will We Be Able to Tell If It Worked?

Kids will be pushed to consider what constitutes success and how it can be measured in scenarios where the results aren't set in stone.

12. Why did you ask that question?

Instead of answering a question at face value, this question encourages kids to think about what the merits of the question may be.

13. Who Would Be Affected by This?

Students as the next generation of leaders and game-changers. When making any decision, it's important to consider who will be impacted and how.

14. What Can This Story Teach Us About Our Own Lives?

From literature to social studies, students interact with all kinds of different stories. Help them take these narratives one step further by examining how it relates to their lives.

15. Why Is This a Problem?

Analyzing why something is a problem — rather than just accepting that it is — will help students develop strong problem-solving skills of their own.

The Hun School of Princeton Teaches Critical Thinking

At the Hun School of Princeton, our teachers ask these questions, and more, in combination with our student-centered learning approach that helps kids of all ages think critically about what they’re learning. 

As a premier private school in Princeton, NJ , we aim to help students think deeply and develop well-rounded skill sets through immersive, problem-based learning . 

Schedule a tour today to see our program in action!

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Critical Thinking Exercises

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• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Critical thinking is a skill that students develop gradually as they progress in school. While the skill becomes more important in higher grades, some students find it difficult to understand the concept of critical thinking .

The reason critical thinking can be difficult to grasp is because it requires students to set aside assumptions and beliefs to learn to think without bias or judgment.

Critical thinking involves suspending your beliefs to explore and question topics from a "blank page" point of view. It also involves the ability to distinguish fact from opinion when exploring a topic.

These exercises are designed to help develop critical thinking skills.

Critical Thinking Exercise 1: Tour Guide for an Alien

This exercise provides an opportunity to think outside your normal way of thinking.

Pretend that you have been assigned the task of conducting a tour for aliens who are visiting the earth and observing human life. You're riding along in a blimp, viewing the landscape below, and you float over a professional baseball stadium. One of the aliens looks down and is very confused by what he sees. You explain that there is a game going on and he asks several important questions.

• What is a game? 
• Why are there no female players?
• Why do people get so excited about watching other people play games?
• What is a team?
• Why can't the people in the seats go down on the field and join in?

If you try to answer these questions fully, it will quickly become apparent that we carry around certain assumptions and values. We support a certain team, for instance, because it makes us feel like we're a part of a community. This sense of community is a value that matters to some people more than others.

Furthermore, when trying to explain team sports to an alien, you have to explain the value we place on winning and losing.

When you think like an alien tour guide, you are forced to take a deeper look at the things we do and things we value. Sometimes they don't sound logical from the outside looking in.

Critical Thinking Exercise 2: Fact or Opinion

Do you think you know the difference between fact and opinion? It's not always easy to discern. When you visit websites, do you believe everything you read? The abundance of available information makes it more important than ever for students to develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, it's an important reminder that you must use trustworthy sources in your school work.

If you don't learn the difference between fact and opinion, you may end up reading and watching things that continue to reinforce beliefs and assumptions you already own.

For this exercise, read each statement and try to determine whether it sounds like a fact or an opinion. This can be completed alone or with a study partner .

• My mom is the best mom on earth.
• My dad is taller than your dad.
• My telephone number is difficult to memorize.
• The deepest part of the ocean is 35,813 feet deep.
• Dogs make better pets than turtles.
• Smoking is bad for your health.
• Eighty-five percent of all cases of lung cancer in the U.S. are caused by smoking.
• If you flatten and stretch out a Slinky toy it will be 87 feet long.
• Slinky toys are fun.
• One out of every one hundred American citizens is color blind.
• Two out of ten American citizens are boring.

You will probably find some of the statements easy to judge but other statements difficult. If you can effectively debate the truthfulness of a statement with your partner, then it's most likely an opinion.

• Research Note Cards
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20 Math Critical Thinking Questions to Ask in Class Tomorrow

• November 20, 2023

The level of apathy towards math is only increasing as each year passes and it’s up to us as teachers to make math class more meaningful . This list of math critical thinking questions will give you a quick starting point for getting your students to think deeper about any concept or problem. 

Since artificial intelligence has basically changed schooling as we once knew it, I’ve seen a lot of districts and teachers looking for ways to lean into AI rather than run from it.

The idea of memorizing formulas and regurgitating information for a test is becoming more obsolete. We can now teach our students how to use their resources to make educated decisions and solve more complex problems.

With that in mind, teachers have more opportunities to get their students thinking about the why rather than the how.

Table of Contents

Looking for more about critical thinking skills? Check out these blog posts:

• Why You Need to Be Teaching Writing in Math Class Today
• How to Teach Problem Solving for Mathematics
• Turn the Bloom’s Taxonomy Verbs into Engaging Math Activities

What skills do we actually want to teach our students?

As professionals, we talk a lot about transferable skills that can be valuable in multiple jobs, such as leadership, event planning, or effective communication. The same can be said for high school students. 

It’s important to think about the skills that we want them to have before they are catapulted into the adult world. 

Do you want them to be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with their peers? Maybe you would prefer that they can articulate their thoughts in a way that makes sense to someone who knows nothing about the topic.

Whatever you decide are the most essential skills your students should learn, make sure to add them into your lesson objectives.

When should I ask these math critical thinking questions?

Critical thinking doesn’t have to be complex or fill an entire lesson. There are simple ways that you can start adding these types of questions into your lessons daily!

Start small

Add specific math critical thinking questions to your warm up or exit ticket routine. This is a great way to start or end your class because your students will be able to quickly show you what they understand. 

Asking deeper questions at the beginning of your class can end up leading to really great discussions and get your students talking about math.

Add critical thinking questions to word problems

Word problems and real-life applications are the perfect place to add in critical thinking questions. Real-world applications offer a more choose-your-own-adventure style assignment where your students can expand on their thought processes. 

They also allow your students to get creative and think outside of the box. These problem-solving skills play a critical role in helping your students develop critical thinking abilities.

Keep reading for math critical thinking questions that can be applied to any subject or topic!

When you want your students to defend their answers.

• Explain the steps you took to solve this problem
• How do you know that your answer is correct?
• Draw a diagram to prove your solution.
• Is there a different way to solve this problem besides the one you used?
• How would you explain _______________ to a student in the grade below you?
• Why does this strategy work?
• Use evidence from the problem/data to defend your answer in complete sentences.

When you want your students to justify their opinions

• What do you think will happen when ______?
• Do you agree/disagree with _______?
• What are the similarities and differences between ________ and __________?
• What suggestions would you give to this student?
• What is the most efficient way to solve this problem?
• How did you decide on your first step for solving this problem?

When you want your students to think outside of the box

• How can ______________ be used in the real world?
• What might be a common error that a student could make when solving this problem?
• How is _____________ topic similar to _______________ (previous topic)?
• What examples can you think of that would not work with this problem solving method?
• What would happen if __________ changed?
• Create your own problem that would give a solution of ______________.
• What other math skills did you need to use to solve this problem?

Let’s Recap:

• Rather than running from AI, help your students use it as a tool to expand their thinking.
• Identify a few transferable skills that you want your students to learn and make a goal for how you can help them develop these skills.
• Add critical thinking questions to your daily warm ups or exit tickets.
• Ask your students to explain their thinking when solving a word problem.
• Get a free sample of my Algebra 1 critical thinking questions ↓

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16 Critical Thinking Questions For Students

Critical thinking is an essential skill that empowers students to think critically and make informed decisions. It encourages them to explore different perspectives, analyze information, and develop logical reasoning. To foster critical thinking skills, it is crucial to ask students thought-provoking questions that challenge their assumptions and encourage deeper analysis. Here are 16 critical thinking questions for students to enhance their problem-solving abilities:

• What evidence supports this argument?
• Can you identify any biases in this article?
• How does this relate to what we have learned previously?
• What alternative solutions can you propose to this problem?
• How might different cultures perceive this situation?
• What assumptions underlie this theory?
• How reliable is the source of this information?
• Can you identify any logical fallacies in this argument?
• What impact does this decision have on various stakeholders?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of this argument?
• How might you approach this problem differently?
• Wha t ethical considerations need to be taken into account?
• Can you identify any gaps in the evidence provided?
• How does this concept apply to real-world situations?
• What are the potential consequences of this decision?
• How might you evaluate the credibility of this research?

By incorporating these critical thinking questions, educators can help students develop essential skills such as analyzing information, evaluating arguments, and problem-solving. Encouraging students to think critically will not only benefit their academic performance but also prepare them for success in various aspects of their lives.

Remember, critical thinking is a skill that can be nurtured and strengthened with practice. By guiding students to ask and answer these thought-provoking questions, educators can create a learning environment that fosters independent thinking and creativity.

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150 Fun Critical Thinking Questions For Kids, Teens, & Adults

Critical thinking questions for kids get them thinking and questioning. To go beyond rote learning.

The reason they excel later in life will not be based on the information they memorized. But instead on how well they think, make decisions, communicate, and use their creativity.

These questions are designed to help them build these essential skills.

What makes a good critical thinking question?

Open ended questions are perfect for encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving. Kids (and grown-ups) have to think about their answers. Below you will find the best age-appropriate examples to use in the classroom, at home, or during your everyday routine .

In fact, there’s no question about it. Critical thinking is important for kids. And adults too!

Good Questions For Kindergarten To Think Critically

Younger kids need more concrete questions. These critical thinking questions will help them use reasoning and think deeply, even when they are small.

1. How do you know if something was a good decision?

2. How are these two things similar?

3. What are the differences between _______ and _________?

4. How would you feel if __________?

This question is great for building empathy .

5. Who was the main character? Why do you say that?

6. When is ___________ a problem?

7. What is the problem?

8. Why is this a problem?

9. What did you notice about _________?

10. Do you think he/she sees this the same way you do? Why or why not?

11. Has this happened before?

12. Do you think it will happen again? Why do you think this?

13. What is your opinion about _________? Why?

14. Is this appropriate? Why or why not?

15. What do you think would happen if __________?

16. What caused this to happen?

17. Do you think the world would be better if __________?

18. If you were in charge, what would you do differently?

19. Where can you find out more about this?

20. What does ______ mean?

21. Do you agree?

22. Can you give me an example of ________?

23. How do you know?

24. How would you solve this problem?

25. What makes something weird? What makes something normal?

Questions For Students: Elementary Through Middle School

For this age of kids, use any of the examples above and try these more abstract critical thinking questions too.

26. What do you think was the turning point?

27. Is there evidence to support your opinion (or decision)?

28. What does the evidence tell you?

29. What do you think would have been a better ending to… (book, movie, story)

30. When is the best time to start this?

31. When you think about solving a problem, where do you like to start?

32. What character/person changed the most? Why do you think this?

33. How could the author have created a thrilling twist in this story?

34. Who could help you with this? Why would they be a good fit to help?

35. Why is this important?

36. Why do you think ________ said that?

37. Why did the __________ (author, speaker) write/say this?

38. How does an idea grow? Or how does someone get from being a beginner to being an expert?

39. Do you think that what happened is what they meant to happen?

(Often, results are different than what people first think they will be.)

40. What can you use to help you decide?

41. What are the pros and cons of this?

42. Why is this happening?

43. What is the main message from this? (Or the lesson learned?)

44. What would you ask the author (speaker, etc.) if you could?

45. Do you have any questions about this?

46. Do you think it is too good to be true?

47. Can you defend these actions?

48. Compare this with this.

49. What would the world be like if ________? (kids were in charge, the sun was farther away, etc.)

50. Do you think there is a better alternative?

51. Is this person trustworthy? Why or why not?

52. At what age does someone stop being a kid? Why?

53. Can you see why someone would agree or disagree?

54. How would this ________ benefit or help others?

55. How will you know if your idea worked?

56. What is wrong with this situation?

57. What is good in this situation?

58. If someone were to argue your point, what do you think they would say?

59. Why do you think the character/person did that?

60. Is this fact or opinion? How do you know?

61. Was this change for the better? Or did it make things worse?

62. Who is most likely to _________? Why?

63. What do you think are the consequences of this decision?

64. Do you think we are asking the right question(s)? What is a different question instead?

Related Posts:

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• Deep Questions For Kids & Adults
• Philosophical Questions To Ponder With Kids

Critical Thinking Questions For High School & College Students

These critical thinking questions are more complex. They encourage abstract thinking, plus explore logic, ethics, and reasoning.

65. Why did you make that decision?

66. How did you get to that decision? What was your thought process?

67. What are the advantages of this?

68. What are the disadvantages of this?

69. How could we make this (project, paper, etc.) better?

70. What do you think the problem is….?

71. What do you think the best solution for this is? Why?

72. Could someone interpret this differently? How so?

73. How would you explain this to someone who doesn’t know anything about it?

74. What are a few alternative possibilities? Are any better than the others?

75. What are the short-term implications of this decision?

76. What are the long-term implications of this decision?

77. How would you achieve a big goal ?

78. (After they come up with a solution to something) Are there other possible ways to solve this problem?

79. How can you use the pros and cons to make a good decision?

80. Do you think when many people do something, it seems more “right,” even when it isn’t?

81. What are the potential risks to this decision?

82. What are the strengths of this argument?

83. What are the weaknesses of this argument?

84. Where is this lacking in evidence?

85. What can this story teach us about life?

86. Where would this solution work? Where would it not work?

87. Why do you think it is important to ask this question?

88. Why are new ideas important in our society?

89. What do you think that character’s motive is?

90. When should you reevaluate your initial thoughts/decision?

91. Do you think this is an important issue?

92. What do you think should have happened instead?

93. What is the counterargument?

94. Why is this relevant?

95. Do you think ________ will ever happen?

96. If it does, who would it affect most? Why?

97. What assumptions are being made in this situation?

98. Is it ever ok to lie?

99. Why do you think this feels like __________?

100. How is this related to your values and beliefs?

• Best Topics To Discuss With Others
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Critical Thinking Questions For Adults

These are great for a conversation at home or at work interviews to see how well potential candidates think on their feet.

101. Where do you see strengths?

102. Where do you think there are areas for improvement?

103. Why did these things help you in the long run?

104. What information do you need to find out before making a good decision?

105. If you could sit down and have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be? Why?

106. What would you say to this person?

107. Should others care about this? Why?

108. When should you ask for help?

109. Who will benefit most from this decision?

110. Who will benefit least from this decision?

111. Have we considered all the options?

112. What questions do you have?

113. Are there any biases that you think are playing out here?

114. Are you making an assumption about __________?

115. When will you see your results?

116. Where do you often find this type of problem? Why?

117. In your opinion, what caused ____________ to happen?

118. Was it avoidable?

119. Does anything concern you about this?

120. When is this acceptable?

121. When is this not acceptable (or appropriate)?

122. What is one thing that would have changed everything?

123. When do you think this will benefit _________ (the company, society, etc.)?

124. When a disagreement happens at work, what do you do?

125. Is this goal achievable ?

126. How does your work experience help you fill this role?

127. Has this ever been done before? When?

128. What would need to happen for you to reconsider?

129. When will we need this?

130. What skills fit well with this position?

Related: Fun Rapid Fire Questions To Ask

Examples of Kids Critical Thinking Questions: By Word

Another way to split up your critical thinking questions is by word.

• Who is most directly affected by this decision?
• Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist?
• Who was the most important character?
• Who was a supporting character that was essential to the storyline?
• What is the problem you are trying to solve?
• What information is important to know about this before forming an opinion?
• What was the point of _________?
• When is it a good time to stop (or take a breather)?
• When should you know the answer?
• When will it be time for this? How do you know?
• When will this be critical?

• Where can you go to ask for help?
• Where can you find a good solution? Or information that helps you solve this problem?
• Where could this idea lead?
• Why has this issue come out into the spotlight?
• Why do you think ______ acts that way?
• Why is _______ happening, but ________ is not?
• How else could we have done that?
• How else could this be handled?
• How would you have responded in this situation?
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More Ways To Encourage Critical Thinking In Kids

Want to go beyond questions? No problem! Here are other practical ways to build this crucial skill:

Change your questions to them.

Turn your normal yes or no questions to more open ended questions.

Example: Instead of “How was your day?” go with “What was the most interesting part of your school day today?”

Refrain from stepping in.

These days parents feel like they should be fixing their kids’ problems constantly.

Instead, hold back and force your child to problem-solve on their own. Ask questions and guide them through the problem, but let them know that they are in charge of finding their own solutions.

Play Games And Do Activities That Promote Critical Thinking

Here are a few great ones!

Two Truths & A Lie Game – The players have to decide which statements are true and which one is not. This game is great for learning to read body language too!

Good Debate Topics For Kids – Nothing builds quick critical thinking like a lively debate.

Riddles: What Am I? – These word riddles help kids think through different possibilities.

Guess The Animal Riddles for Kids – More riddles all about animals to get kids thinking.

Encourage creativity.

Provide your child with opportunities to use their imagination.

Sometimes, all this takes is getting your child off screens and outside playing with sticks!

Encourage them to build something , make up a new game, and think outside the box whenever possible.

Let them fiddle with things.

My son has a very “why” brain and loves to mess with stuff. It used to embarrass me when we were around others.

But, one day, my husband and I realized that his “working things out” isn’t bad. We just needed to teach him in what context it is appropriate. Now he fiddles with everything, and it is amazing to watch his mind work.

Let them question.

The same goes for questions. They should be challenging assumptions and questioning the world around them. Too many people take for granted the things that they hear and read. Teach your child to be different.

Promote Active Listening.

Encourage your child to ask questions to clarify understanding and develop communication skills.

Examples: “What I hear is _________.” Or, “How do you know _________?”

Try New Things.

Travel. And regularly expose your kids to new ideas and experiences. This helps them see their regular world in a new light.

Think Critically Yourself.

Finally, your child will be much more likely to think critically if they see a parent who does it. So, apply all of these strategies to yourself as well.

To Consider With Critical Thinking Questions For Kids

Teaching children to form their own opinions is how we build a generation of people that will analyze, evaluate, and make decisions for the betterment of the world.

It’s not just important. It’s critical to our future as a society.

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Jennifer is the founder and chief editor of Healthy Happy Impactful®. She believes that living, loving, and connecting deeply are the foundation for a good life. She holds a degree in education and is a mom to 3 kids.

10 Problem-Solving Scenarios for High School Students

It is certainly common to come across difficult situations including forgetting an assignment at home or overusing your phone only to miss an important project deadline. We are always surrounded by little difficulties that might become bigger problems if not addressed appropriately.

Whether it is saving your friend from the addiction to social media platforms or communicating your personal boundaries to relatives, problem-solving skills are one of the important skills you need to acquire throughout the journey of life.

Do you think these skills are in-built with other high school students? Certainly not.

It takes innovative learning methodologies just like problem-solving scenarios that help you immerse in the subject matter with precision. With problem-solving scenarios, you come across a range of problems that help you build critical thinking skills, logical reasoning, and analytical techniques.

The article will take you through scenarios that are a combination of various problems that need to be addressed strategically and carefully. As you read ahead, make sure to brainstorm solutions and choose the best one that fits the scenario. 

Helpful scenarios to build a problem-solving attitude in high schoolers

Learning through scenarios helps students look at situations from a completely analytical perspective. Problem-solving scenarios offer a combination of various situations that test the thinking skills and growth mindset of high school students. The below-mentioned scenarios are perfect for implementing problem-solving skills simply by allowing open discussions and contributions by students.

1. Uninvited Guests

You have arranged a party at your home after successfully winning the competition at the Science Fair. You invite everyone involved in the project however, one of your friends brings his cousin’s brother along. However, you have limited soft drink cans considering the number of invited people. How would you manage this situation without making anyone feel left out?

2. Communication Issues

A new teacher has joined the high school to teach about environmental conservation. She often involves students in different agriculture activities and workshops. However, one of your friends, John, is not able to understand the subject matter. He is unable to communicate his doubts to the teachers. How would you motivate him to talk to the teacher without the fear of judgment?

3. Friendship or Personal Choice?

The history teacher announced an exciting assignment opportunity that helps you explore ancient civilizations. You and your friend are pretty interested in doing the project as a team. One of your other friends, Jason, wants to join the team with limited knowledge and interest in the topic. Would you respect the friendship or deny him so you can score better on the assignment?

4. Peer Pressure 

It is common for high schoolers to follow what their friends do. However, lately, your friends have discovered different ways of showing off their skills. While they do all the fun things, there are certain activities you are not interested in doing. It often puts you in trouble whether to go with friends or take a stand for what is right. Would you take the help of peer mentoring activities in school or try to initiate a direct conversation with them?

5. Team Building 

Mr. Jason, the science teacher, assigns different projects and forms teams with random classmates. There are 7 people in each team who need to work towards project completion. As the group starts working, you notice that some members do not contribute at all. How will you ensure that everyone participates and coordinates with the team members?

6. Conflict Resolution 

The drama club and the English club are famous clubs in the school. Both clubs organize various events for the students. This time, both clubs have a tiff because of the event venue. Both clubs need the same auditorium for the venue on the same date. How would you mediate to solve the issue and even make sure that club members are on good terms with each other? 

7. Stress Management 

Your school often conducts different activities or asks students stress survey questions to ensure their happiness and well-being. However, one of your friends always misses them. He gets frustrated and seems stressed throughout the day. What would you do to ensure that your friend gets his issue acknowledged by teachers?

8. Time Management 

Your friend is always enthusiastic about new competitions in high school. He is running here and there to enroll and get certificates. In this case, he often misses important lectures and activities in class. Moreover, his parents complain that he misses swimming class too. How would you explain to him the importance of prioritizing and setting goals to solve this issue?

9. Educational Resources 

You and your friends are avid readers and often take advice from books. While most must-read books for bibliophiles are read by you, it is important to now look for other books. However, you witness that the school library lacks other important books on philosophy and the non-fiction category. How would you escalate this issue to the higher authorities by addressing the needs of students?

10. Financial Planning

Finance is an important factor and that is why your parents help you plan your pocket money and budgeting. Off lately, they have stopped doing so considering that you can manage on your own. However, after a few months, you have started spending more on games and high-end school supplies. You realize that your spending habits are leading to loss of money and reduced savings. How shall you overcome this situation?

Wrapping Up 

Involving students in different learning practices and innovative ways inspires them to think out of the box and make use of imagination skills. With the usage of different problem-solving scenarios, high school students get an opportunity to delve into realistic examples and consequences of different incidents.

Such scenarios offer an excellent way to promote understanding, critical thinking skills and enhance creativity. Ensure to use different activities and games for creating a comprehensive learning environment.

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

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Free printable to elevate your AI game 🤖

180 Unique Question of the Day Ideas To Promote Critical Thinking

For discussions, journaling, and community building.

Students get better at answering questions by, well, answering questions. Asking a question of the day, where each student has an opportunity to think about it and respond, builds a knowledge of how questions work. It also improves students’ language and communication skills as they create their answers and listen to what others are saying. Questions that are more introspective can also help students understand themselves better as they reflect on their day or experiences.

Below are 180 questions to use with students from kindergarten through high school to get them thinking and talking.

Want this entire set of questions in one easy document? Get your free Google Slides presentation by submitting your email here. All you need to do is post one of the questions on your whiteboard or projector screen. Then let kids take it from there.

GET YOUR FREE SLIDES

How To Use Questions of the Day

By definition, you can use questions of the day any time. But it can be helpful to set up structures around them. For example, you could incorporate a question of the day during morning meeting. Or you could end the day with a question of the day that students respond to in the time between packing up and going home.

When you assign a question of the day, provide routine around it. Incorporate a question of the day into each morning meeting or daily warm-up. Give students time to think about the question and jot down some notes if they are going to discuss it. And for students who are able to write, give them time to write their response in a journal.

If a question of the day has few answers (yes or no, would you rather …), encourage students to expand on why they chose their answer. Is there a funny experience that makes them choose one thing over another? Or can they talk about the time they held a lightening bug or jumped off the diving board?

Question of the Day Ideas for Early Elementary Schoolers

Young students love to share and are eager to feed off each others’ answers. Use these questions to engage kindergartners through second graders in thinking about topics that might be top of mind or something they’ve never thought about before.

Experience Questions of the Day

• Have you ever been to a farm?
• Have you ever been on a road trip?
• Have you ever been on an airplane?

• Have you ever traveled by boat?
• What is the most interesting vehicle you have ever traveled in?
• What country are you most interested in visiting?
• Do you like to swim?
• Would you rather swim in a lake, the ocean, or a pool?
• Have you jumped off a diving board?
• Have you ever climbed a tree?
• What games do you like to play with friends?

• When it rains, do you go inside or play outside?
• Have you ever caught a lightning bug?
• Have you ever held a ladybug?
• Have you ever been inside a fire truck?
• What is your favorite ice cream?
• What musical instrument would you like to play?

Imagination Questions of the Day

• Would you live in a tree house?
• If you found a pot of gold, what would you do with it?
• Would you let Goldilocks come to your house?
• Would you have a pig for a pet?

• What do you put on your ice cream?
• Do you like sunny days or rainy days?
• If you could have a wild animal for a pet, which wild animal would you choose?
• What fairy-tale character would you like to meet?

Preference Questions of the Day

• What is your favorite animal to see at the zoo?
• What is your favorite sport to play?
• What is your favorite Olympic sport to watch?
• What’s your favorite flavor of chips?
• What’s your favorite Popsicle flavor?
• What do you like to watch on TV?
• What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

• What is your favorite time of day?
• What is your favorite day of the week?

Reflection Questions of the Day

• What are you very good at?
• What makes your family special?
• What is one rule at home that you would change if you could?

• What is your best quality?
• What makes you different from your friends?
• What makes you unique in your family?
• How does your family show you that they love you?
• Think about a friend you have. What is special about that friend?
• What makes you a good friend?

Question of the Day Ideas for Upper Elementary Schoolers

Third, fourth, and fifth graders are eager to share and are ready to really reflect and think through scenarios. For more personal questions, give students the option of whether or not they want to share.

• If you were a shark, what kind of shark would you be?
• Would you rather be a giraffe or have a giraffe for a pet?
• Do you think you would like to be president of the United States?
• When you are sad or mad, what makes you feel better?
• Which fictional character are you most like?

• If you invented a robot, what would it do?
• If a genie granted you three wishes, what would you wish for?
• If you could invent a new video game, what would it be about?
• If you could fly, where would you go?
• Would you rather sit in the back of the class or the front?
• If you could paint your own room, what color would you paint it?
• If you were principal for a day, what would you do?
• If unicorns were real, would you want one for a pet?
• If you could travel to any planet, which one would you choose?

• If you could open a store, what would you sell?
• If you could start a club, what club would you start?
• What is the best gift you have ever given someone?
• What is a time you felt lucky?
• If you were going to start a band, what genre of music would you play?
• What is your favorite kind of birthday cake?
• What is a movie that you would recommend to everyone in your grade?
• What is a book that everyone in elementary school should read?

• What is your favorite holiday?
• Who is your favorite person in the world?
• What is the best gift you have ever received?
• Which do you like better, ice cream or cookies?
• Do you like clowns? Why or why not?
• What is your favorite type of weather?
• Where would you like to go on vacation?
• If you were going to take a long trip, would you rather travel by car or plane?

• What sports do you play or what activities do you do after school?
• If you were going to compete in the Olympics, which sport would you compete in?
• Do you prefer to do sports or athletic activities by yourself (running, yoga) or with a team?
• What is your favorite snack food?
• What word would you use to describe yourself?
• What skills are you particularly good at? What helped make you so good at these skills?
• What chore do you actually enjoy doing?
• What is your least favorite chore to do?
• Which family member do you want to be like when you grow up?

• How do you show your family that you love them?
• What makes you unique in your group of friends?
• What makes your group of friends special?

Question of the Day Ideas for Middle Schoolers

Middler schoolers are full of opinions. Help them think through their reasoning by modeling how you think through your responses to questions of the day. Consider providing a journal that students can respond in, and let them indicate whether or not they want you to read it.

• What is a movie that everyone in middle school should watch?
• What is a book that everyone in middle school should read?
• What is your favorite holiday tradition?
• What is your favorite sport?
• Of all the places you’ve visited, what is your favorite?

• What is your favorite dish at your favorite restaurant?
• Would you rather watch a movie at home or in the theater?
• What is your favorite board game or video game to play?
• If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
• If you could add one thing to the lunch menu at school, what would you add?
• If you could learn a new instrument, which would you choose?

• If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?
• If you could live on Mars, would you?
• If you were going to open a business, what kind of business would it be?
• If you could eat one snack for the rest of your life, which snack would you choose?
• If you could give one gift to every child in the world, what would it be?
• If you had a signature sandwich, what would it be made of? What would you name it?
• If you had to throw out everything but one possession, what would you keep?

• If you were president of the United States, what kind of president would you be?
• What mythical creature would you want for a pet?
• What ecosystem would you like to explore?
• What is the hardest thing about being a middle schooler?
• What three words would you use to describe yourself?

• What irritates you the most?
• What makes someone a hero?
• What is the biggest challenge facing humanity today?
• How do you define success?
• What is one thing that adults could learn from kids?
• How does the weather affect your mood?
• On your favorite vacation, where did you go? What did you do?
• What sports do you play now? Do you think you will continue those in high school?
• What do you think makes a good teammate?

• What skill could you teach to others?
• When you’ve had a bad day, how do you help yourself feel better?
• What motivates you most? (Rewards, prestige, knowing things, power)
• When do you think a person becomes an adult?
• What makes your best friend special?
• What family member do you admire the most?
• What chores do you actually like to do?

• What is most important to your family?
• How do you show your family you appreciate them?

Big Picture Questions of the Day

• What would you like to see changed in the world?
• If you could invent a rule that everyone followed, what would the rule be?
• How do you think life will be different when you are an adult?

• What do you think the world will be like in 50 years?
• If you had a time machine, would you travel to the past or the future?
• Do you think students should have to take gym (or play a sport)? Why or why not?

Question of the Day Ideas for High Schoolers

High schoolers are coming into their own. They’re ready to think through questions and discuss and debate them with evidence and support, not just their opinion. Questions of the day in high school are a way to build in more critical thinking and to encourage students to think through their values and beliefs. ADVERTISEMENT

• What TV show could you binge-watch over and over?
• What is a movie that every high schooler should watch?
• What is a book that every high schooler should read?
• What is one holiday tradition that you plan to keep doing as an adult?

• Where is your favorite place to sit in a class? Do you think this would change if it were a large lecture hall compared to a small discussion class?
• If you got to plan a vacation, where would you go?
• When you plan a vacation, do you prefer to have everything planned out or would you rather play it by ear?
• What would you do with one extra hour each day?
• If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
• If you could teach a class, what would you teach?
• If you could change the ending to a book or movie, which ending would you change and why?
• If you could meet someone from the past, who would you like to meet?

• If you could go back in time, what period would you travel to?
• If you were president of the United States, what policies would you focus on?
• If you were stuck on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?
• If you could travel back in time to five years ago, what would you tell your younger self?
• What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
• What is the hardest thing about being a high schooler?
• What is the hardest thing about growing up?
• What is the best advice someone has given you?
• What has your most significant accomplishment been so far?

• How would you describe your personality?
• How do you handle it when you are confused or unsure about something?
• What was the most important invention in human history and why?
• In your life, what is one thing you would want to become an expert at and why?
• What is the most valuable thing in your life and why?

• How important is the weather for you when you are planning where to live or where to move for college?
• What sports or extracurriculars have you done in high school? What are your favorite memories from these activities?
• What sports or activities do you want to keep doing in college or after high school?
• What skills have you gotten really good at as a child/teen? What could you do with those skills after high school?
• How do you help yourself recover from a setback or bad day?

• What values are most important to you?
• What would you like to be famous for as an adult?
• What does success look like for you?
• How can you change the world in your lifetime?
• What is the most valuable quality in a leader?
• Should everyone have to get a high school diploma? A college degree?
• What should the United States require of its citizens?

• Would you support every 18-year-old having to complete a year in the army? Why or why not?
• Do you think the voting age should be moved from 18?

Get morning meeting questions .

Questions to End the Day

Sometimes you need a question to wrap up the day. Since every day is different, set a schedule for how to end each day.

• What made you smile today?
• Who was kind to you today? Who were you kind to?
• What made you happy (or excited or proud) today?
• What made you laugh today?
• What are you thankful for today?
• What was the best part of your day?
• How did you challenge yourself today?
• Are you ending the day more stressed or more relaxed than you started?

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The Absorbent Mind: Everything You Need to Know

Kamala harris nailed her debate response on the democrats’ most winning issue: abortion, meet spacex’s polaris dawn crew: the daring 4 who are in space on the most ambitious private space mission in history, taylor swift endorsed kamala harris for president, the modern cli renaissance, today’s wordle hints, answer and help for sept. 11, #1180, today’s nyt strands hints, answers and help for sept. 11, #192, today’s nyt connections hints, answers and help for sept. 11, #458, inmobi secures $100 million for ai acquisitions ahead of ipo, teaching your child about service learning: everything you need to know, 16 critical thinking questions for students.

Introduction:

Critical thinking is an essential skill for students to develop, as it enables them to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and make informed decisions. To enhance critical thinking abilities, students can engage with thought-provoking questions that challenge assumptions and encourage deeper reflection. In this article, we present sixteen critical thinking questions that will stimulate their cognitive abilities and foster intellectual growth.

1. What evidence supports this argument?

Assessing the evidence behind an argument encourages students to analyze whether it is sufficient, credible, and logically sound. This question teaches them to question the basis of statements and seek supporting evidence.

2. How can you apply this concept in real-life situations?

Connecting abstract concepts to practical scenarios helps students understand the relevance and applicability of what they learn. This question encourages them to think beyond classroom discussions and consider real-world implications.

3. What are the underlying assumptions in this statement?

Identifying assumptions allows students to recognize hidden biases or prejudices in arguments. By questioning underlying assumptions, they can develop a more nuanced understanding of complex issues.

4. Can you think of alternative explanations?

Encouraging students to consider alternative explanations fosters their ability to think critically and challenge initial conclusions. This question helps them explore different perspectives and understand that there can be multiple plausible interpretations.

5. How might different cultural perspectives influence this situation?

Recognizing the impact of cultural perspectives on opinions and decisions develops students’ cultural sensitivity and empathy. By considering diverse viewpoints, they broaden their understanding of complex issues.

6. What are the ethical implications of this decision?

Evaluating ethical consequences encourages students to consider the wider implications of their choices. This question enables them to develop ethical reasoning and become responsible decision-makers.

7. Can you identify any logical fallacies in this argument?

Recognizing logical fallacies helps students evaluate the validity of arguments and avoid common errors in their own reasoning. This question hones their critical thinking skills by identifying flaws in reasoning.

8. How might this situation change if key variables were altered?

By altering key variables, students can explore the potential impact of different factors on a given situation. This question enhances their ability to anticipate and evaluate different scenarios.

9. What are the potential biases in this research study?

Assessing biases in research studies equips students with the skills to critically evaluate scientific literature. This question prompts them to consider possible biases and influences on research outcomes.

10. What are the counterarguments to this position?

Encouraging students to examine counterarguments encourages them to think beyond their initial beliefs and consider opposing viewpoints. This question develops their ability to engage in respectful and constructive debates.

11. How does this information relate to your prior knowledge on the subject?

Connecting new information to existing knowledge aids student comprehension and reinforces critical thinking. This question prompts them to reflect on the relevance of new knowledge in relation to what they already know.

12. What are the short-term and long-term consequences of this decision?

Considering the short-term and long-term consequences helps students make more informed decisions. This question encourages them to think beyond immediate outcomes and consider broader impacts.

13. What are the potential biases in this news article?

Examining biases in news articles helps students distinguish between objective and subjective information. This question fosters media literacy skills and enables them to critically analyze news sources.

14. Can you identify any logical inconsistencies in this theory?

Identifying logical inconsistencies enables students to evaluate the coherence and validity of theories. This question promotes critical thinking by challenging the logical structure of theories.

15. How does this information challenge or confirm your existing beliefs?

Engaging with information that challenges personal beliefs helps students develop intellectual flexibility and open-mindedness. This question encourages them to critically evaluate their own perspectives.

16. What are the implications of this historical event in today’s society?

Connecting historical events to contemporary issues fosters students’ ability to recognize patterns and understand the relevance of the past. This question prompts critical analysis of history’s impact on the present.

Conclusion:

Engaging with these sixteen critical thinking questions will empower students to become active learners, capable of analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information effectively. By consistently challenging their assumptions, seeking evidence, and considering diverse perspectives, students will develop robust critical thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their academic and professional journeys.

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