Critical thinking requires skill at analyzing the reliability and validity of information, as well as the attitude or disposition to do so. The skill and attitude may be displayed with regard to a particular subject matter or topic, but in principle, it can occur in any realm of knowledge (Halterneck, 2003; Williams, Oliver, & Stockade, 2004).
A critical thinker does not necessarily have a negative attitude in the everyday sense of constantly criticizing someone or something.
Instead, he or she can be thought of as astute:
The critical thinker asks key questions, evaluates the evidence for ideas, reasons for problems both logically and objectively, and expresses ideas and conclusions clearly and precisely.
Last (but not least), the critical thinker can apply these habits of mind in more than one realm of life or knowledge.
Select 4 of the grouping strategies and then write an essay to include the following ideas.
Your essay should not be more than two pages long.
Discuss each idea in separate paragraphs. Do not number your paragraphs.
List the grouping strategies that you selected?
Why did you select these four grouping strategies?
How relevant are these grouping strategies for classroom instruction?
What is the role of the teacher in grouping students for instruction?
Based upon the research, do you think students should be allowed to join a group of their choice?
