The Basics of Critical Thinking- Schoolhouse Crew Review

The Critical Thinking Co. has always been one of those companies that I pour over their catalog when it comes in the mail. I mean, they just have an amazing bunch of books and such to choose from. From reading to history and language arts, you will find workbooks for all ages and just about every subject.

The Basics of Critical Thinking, recommended for grades 4-9, is one such book. However, this book is a bit different. It explains to a student what exactly critical thinking is and then teaches them how to use it. Through various activities in this 133 page book, your child will learn how to identify and sort through needed, and sometimes not needed information, and then evaluate that information to provide conclusions.

Sounds complicated? It can be at times in the real world! What is truth? Did they really mean that? Is that what it really said? Is that important? Is that logical?  All those things and so many more are important to critical thinking and can be hard concepts to teach. Luckily for us, The Critical Thinking Co. has taken the hard work for parents and made it into fun activities you can do with your children or they can work through on their own. Because they are in puzzle, mystery, and game fashion, I think your child(ren) will enjoy doing a few pages a day!

Chapters include-

• What Is Critical Thinking?
• Conclusions and Decisions
• Beliefs and Claims
• Finding (Identifying) Evidence
• Evaluating Evidence
• Inferring and Inferences
• Facts and Opinions
• Facts and Probable Truths
• False and Probably False
• Facts, Probably True, and Probably False
• Venn Diagrams
• Logical Connectives
• Advertising
• Agreements and Contracts
• Common Errors in Reasoning
• Arguments
• Valid and Invalid Arguments
• Fallacies
• Analogy Argument

How we used it and what we think-

I accepted this review (ok begged nicely for it) with my 3rd grader in mind. We are thick in the middle of learning about thinking things out before we make decisions.  Can anyone relate? I hoped that instead of mom just saying "stop and think first," The Basics of Critical Thinking would help teach the same thing. You know, that whole, "if someone else says it other than mom I actually might listen" phenomenon. Because he is currently under the recommended age range, I did anticipate he would need a little help.

I began the book with my older son, an 8th grader, doing a few pages together. It was a fun way to spend some time with him. He had had some introduction to similar activities so he was able to jump right in, and in a few cases did better than I did.  Go figure. Throughout the review period, he also picked up the book several times (the advantage to leaving it on the coffee table in plain sight) and did a few of the activities by himself. The Finding Evidence chapter was his favorite because the puzzles are like a mini who-done-it type thing.

As for the my 3rd grader?  Some areas he did really well with and others, not so much.  He tends to almost overthink things and wants to add in what he thinks are logical thoughts and conclusions based on his own experiences.  He tended to get frustrated when he did not understand something, showing his age.  I had hoped that it would be a good activity for the boys working together, but though it did bring a few giggles, it mostly brought frustration on both of their parts. Bag the teamwork idea! Instead, it became mommy time where we would snuggle on the couch and try a few pages at a time, which went more smoothly.

As with all the other books I have used from The Critical Thinking Co., I really like this book! It is full color and fun to use.  It takes a light-hearted approach to learning the skill of critical thinking and is a fun way to spend a few minutes each day learning. I also think it would be a good book to add to your Fridays if that is a day that you count as an "extra" in your homeschool. In the past we have used Fridays to add in more fun subjects that the kids can explore on their own, such as math and logic games and activities books like this one. Older kids will have no problem doing this book on their own, just be prepared to be stumped a time or two when they come ask you what you would do! Luckily for the teacher, the answers ARE included!

TOS Review- Critical Thinking- Mathematical Reasoning

"Oh no, another math book."  That's how my fourth grader greeted this newest book for our review- Critical Thinking- Mathematical Reasoning by The Critical Thinking Company.  Luckily, within a matter of a day, the bright colors, short lessons and wide variety of fun activities won him over.  Now he is asking to do more pages!

Mathematical Reasoning, Level F is geared towards 5th graders.  The fun thing about Mathematical Reasoning is that every page is a little different.  No rote facts or boredom here!  Mix that in with a few game-like activities and lots of colors and pictures, and they had my kiddo hooked.  Most activities are pretty self-explanatory, but when a new or harder concept is introduced there is a brief how-to at the top of the page.  If you are used to a curriculum telling you exactly how to teach a new concept, you will have to transition to a slightly different style.  The series is written with a spiral approach, meaning each new page builds on the previous, the same being true of each level.  Obviously, your child may have a slight advantage having done earlier levels, but I think with a solid math background, he or she will easily catch on.

Our favorite part, according to my son-the balance benders pages (just think puzzle like brain teasers that require problem solving skills).  He did one, then immediately went through the entire book finding all of the other balance bender pages.  He has since begged me to purchase the book that The Critical Thinking Company has for just that type of problem.

While I would not use this as our stand alone math curriculum for 5th grade, I do think it is a wonderful resource to use, possibly even for a summer review for a struggling child or just when your child needs a break in the action from their current math program.  We have been doing a few pages every other day as a reward for completing our other math; hey, it works for us!

The Critical Thinking Skills Company is known for its engaging products, and this newest in its lineup will not disappoint you!

From the publisher- "Mathematical Reasoning™ helps students devise strategies to solve a wide variety of math problems. This book emphasizes problem-solving and computation to build the math reasoning skills necessary for success in higher-level math and math assessments. This book is written to the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. "

You can buy Critical Thinking- Mathematical Reasoning here for $42.00, as well as view additional products they offer.

See what fellow CREW mates had to say about this product here.

Disclaimer- I received a copy of Critical Thinking- Mathematical Reasoning in exchange for my honest review.  The views expressed our mine, and were not influenced by the company in any way.