The big picture. Teaching critical thinking through writing.

So far we've been talking about nuts and bolts, but excellent language instruction teaches students how to use language to think. Our students need to know how to use language purposefully.

Compare, sequence, summarize. Sound familiar? These are some of the functions that are also known as "comprehension skills." Or, you may have seen these same language functions packaged into "sentence frames."

If you coordinate the critical thinking skills you teach during writing with the reading  "comprehension skill" your teaching will be more effective. You can do this starting in kindergarten (really!), but you need some resources. Check the links page.
It's easy!

You will triple your teaching impact if you explicitly teach vocabulary, explicitly teach irregular verbs, and teach critical thinking as a language function through your writing program.

Teach What Works