Mommy Life: Logic and Critical thinking

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July 24, 2012 10:31 AM

Logic and Critical thinking - elementary years

This isn't just for homeschooling families, but all parents who want to raise children who think for themselves.
In response to my archived post on Critical Thinking with recommendations for older kids, some moms wanted to know how to help their younger kids develop critical thinking skills.

I'm so glad you asked!! I homeschooled all my kids for eight years, and continued while releasing some as their needs and our family's needs changed. I chose my own curriculum and it reflected my values. Since part of our early Christian experience included a church where people did not think for themselves but blindly followed the Biblical interpretation of an off-balance leader, I purposely sought out materials that would develop my kids' reasoning ability.

Now that my kids are grown I see the power of Biblical knowledge in the mind of a young adult with critical thinking skills.

I began in 1990 in first grade, using the Steck-Vaughn Critical Thinking Series, which they promote at their site:

Improve your students reading, thinking, and reasoning skills, and youll improve their performance in all curriculum areas. Use our Critical Thinking series to introduce and practice the six most important thinking skills.

The books go by a level/grade system: Level A = first grade - and so on. I'm not sure, but we may have covered them a little faster. The beauty of homeschooling is that you can gear what you are doing to your child's ability rather than age.

...........Level A................. Level B.....................Level C.............

...........Level D................. Level E.....................Level F.............

The workbooks are pricey, but there are used ones as low as $2 at Amazon - just click the covers above, then click on used copies. Be sure to check the description to make sure there's no writing inside the book. Also, check Alibris. You won't need teacher's guides in the early grades, but may need them later on.