THINKING ABOUT THE CONTENT

ANNA MARIE D. BARTOLO

Students should be engaged in thinking deeply about the content of the lesson, by showing that there is logic to things. We all know that it is easier to understand a concept if you get the logic behind it.

Teachers can use one of two ways to teach a topic: They may lecture about the content, and then demonstrate, so students can memorize the facts and then are tested. Or, they can open the topic with questions to explore what the students know and posing problems to be solved.

The important thing is that students know how to analyze, evaluate or synthesize and then allowing them to put the two together. Encourage students to reflect on the process further, and help them practice the elements of reasoning, assess using the intellectual standards.

The key concept is that to understand an idea, talk about the idea, write the idea, and think the idea into the students’system so that it becomes second nature.

Let’s make this an integral part of our teaching. If our students don’t know the purpose of the day, or the question at issue, or the concepts we are covering they can’t possibly be learning anything. This way, they generate the value of what we are doing.

Some concepts may be difficult for students, so we might want to introduce them to a solid base of understanding. We can drill the essentials with students at the board, solving problems and explaining them as they go. There can be no moving on until everyone gets it and can explain it.

Students should learn to ask questions and be persistent because they know they know they are accountable.

Integrating critical thinking into the curriculum is simply using an approach that focuses on the individual being thoroughly engaged in whatever activity is going on in the classroom.

Teachers can design activities that encourage the students to practice critical thinking themselves, or, they can use critical thinking strategies in order to devise daily lesson plans that encourage students to think critically.

The teacher should model exemplary thinking skills at all times during class, accomplished by reasoning things through verbally, as well as modelling reading, listening, questioning and discussing assignments with the class.

— oOo— The author is Teacher III at Sta. Maria Elementary School, Lubao East District, Pam panga