Mathematics Thinking Critically 1 Author:Dale Seymour The activities in Thinking Critically can help students in these ways: — *Students develop the ability to analyze and synthesize information needed for solving problems and making decisions. To be a good problem solver, a student must have a command of basic thinking skills. — *The activities expand and enhance the growth of problem-solving skill... more »s. Problem solving involves more than applying the previously learned computation skills. Many of the activities in Thinking Critically require students to analyze and to evaluate pictorial or textual information and then apply a process to find a solution.
*The activities encourage independent thinking and provide opportunities for reflective and divergent thinking. This creative thinking encourages the use of alternate methods of solution.
*The activities foster cooperative learning skills in a problem-solving environment. Many activities suggest that students work with a partner or in a small group as they solve a problem.« less