Using Literature To Develop Critical Thinking.

A study tested a questioning technique for teaching critical thinking strategies in a class with student-selected reading materials. Teacher modeling, class discussion, writing, and reading were connected in the process. The pre-test and posttest included student-generated questions and character sketches. Quality of the pre- and posttest questions and the character sketches were analyzed for 50 fourth- and fifth-grade students. Results indicated that gains were made in skill areas and in attitude toward reading. The process has been successful with high, average, and low ability readers in second, fourth, and fifth grades. (MG)