Hey there, fellow critical thinking enthusiasts! Ashleigh here, and today, I'm diving into some of my all-time favorite middle and high school starter activities that are guaranteed to ignite those cognitive gears and get those problem-solving neurons firing. I love these activities because they are all low or no prep activities that get kids thinking and warmed up for the lesson.
1. Lateral Thinking Puzzles
First up on my list of critical thinking gems is the wonderful world of lateral thinking puzzles. Here's the deal: Lateral thinking puzzles encourage students to step out of the box and consider unconventional solutions to tricky problems. The beauty of these puzzles is that there are hundreds of them available online, covering a vast array of themes and scenarios. Not only do these puzzles foster individual critical thinking, but they also promote communication and collaboration when students work together to crack the code.
2. Desert Island
This activity recently gained some traction online and in my opinion, it's well deserved!
Desert Island is a fantastic way to kickstart a critical thinking session. Here's how it goes:
The teacher sets the stage, announcing they're off to a desert island and bringing along an item that fits a secret rule.
The teacher asks students to let their imaginations run wild and suggest random items they'd bring.
Each time an item is 'accepted' by the teacher because it fits the rule, the teacher writes it up on the board.
Once enough items have been accepted, students may guess what the rule is.
To add a little extra challenge to this game, I enforce two rules: the first is that each student only gets one guess at the rule so they have to ask to bring a lot of items to rule in or rule out their answer, and the second is that they must justify their answer (even if it's wrong).
What is great about Desert Island is its adaptability. You can tailor the rules to be as simple or as challenging as you like. I like to use items with three syllables, things that are crunchy, homophones, and many more.
3. Invention Tic Tac Toe
Imagine a Tic Tac Toe game that's not just about Xs and Os but about sparking innovation. In this engaging activity, students are handed a grid filled with nine different objects. Their mission is to strategically choose three objects in a line and then combine them into a brand-new invention that tackles a real-world problem.
This activity is a powerhouse of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. It encourages students to see the potential in seemingly unrelated objects and devise innovative solutions. You can stretch this activity further by having students draw and label their inventions too.
4. Worst Idea Ever:
Last but certainly not least, we have the "Worst Idea Ever" challenge. To get this activity started, present your students with a seemingly straightforward problem—let's say, "My new couch won't fit through the door to get in my house." Now, instead of seeking the best solution, students are asked to work together to flip the script and brainstorm the absolute worst, most absurd, and comically terrible way to solve the problem.
Encouraging students to think in extremes often leads to unexpected insights and, more importantly, it makes critical thinking a whole lot of fun.
Unlock Your Free eBook: A Treasure Trove of Critical Thinking Challenges!
And there you have it, my cherished starter activities for high schoolers that'll set their critical thinking engines in motion. But hold on to your thinking caps because there's more in store!
I've prepared a FREE eBook with 10 additional critical thinking challenges to kick off your lessons with critical thinking challenges that'll have your students craving more. Just sign up for my newsletter, and this treasure trove of brain teasers and problem-solving adventures will be yours to explore. With these starter activities in your toolkit, you'll be shaping young minds into agile, innovative, and fearless thinkers.