Critical Thinking Skills: Drawing Solutions

The 24 lessons in this unit are designed to help students turn abstract problems into graphic, semi-concrete formats. This ability is an important step in the development of effective problem-solving techniques. Example:"Planted four rows of flowers. Six plants in each row." How many flowers? Draw a picture to show how to solve each problem. By creating a visual representation of the components of a problem, students can more easily perform necessary operations. They can also see the logic – or absence of logic – in their solutions. The sequential activities featured here will most certainly help young learners develop critical thinking skills.