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Description
There's hardly any doubt that a student taking a critical thinking course will want to talk about it - dare we say argue? And CT courses - and their more formal cousins - Logic courses - have typically encouraged teacher-student/class interaction. But busy homeschool moms sometimes find it hard to provide that discussion environment. This new course by Critical Thinking Press makes the whole process much simpler and allows your student to work somewhat independently through the ins and outs of critical thinking. Using a case study approach and a fictional detective with the Los Angeles Police Department - Stephanie Wise - each chapter focuses on a skill set necessary for making an informed decision. Short, clear explanations of logic principles are provided as necessary and, combined with examples and exercises, lead the student step-by-step into complicated analysis skills. Chapters include Questions, Practices, and Qualities of Critical Thinkers; Facts, Claims of Fact, and Opinions; Ambiguity, Descriptions, and Explanations; Valid and Invalid Arguments; Arguments Based on Claims; Categorical Syllogisms; Inductive Arguments, and Informal Fallacies.
The (huge) 534-page, pb Student Worktext includes instructional information, examples, exercises, and quizzes. Designed as a consumable, pages are perforated for easy removal but are reproducible for one home or classroom. The Teacher Book (96 pgs, pb) is primarily the answer key; providing answers to both the exercises and the quizzes, but virtually no additional information.
Since Critical Thinking Press already publishes a critical thinking course, a comparison between the two seems an obvious question. There are similarities in the two scope and sequences but as mentioned earlier, CT appears to have more of a class or discussion format while JMCT is more geared toward self-instructional. The JMCT course is written by William O'Meara and Daniel Flage, two long-time professors at James Madison University; both among the authors of the JM Critical Thinking Test. The authors state that students completing the JMCT course will be learning the skills needed for the James Madison Test of Critical Thinking. ~ Janice
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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.