Critical Thinking in Literature and Education

The webinar focuses on empowering students to become critical thinkers, particularly in middle school. It discusses the importance of creating a culture of critical thinking in classrooms and provides strategies for teachers to facilitate this. The session covers the definition of critical thinking, the role of teachers in fostering it, and the use of close reading and writing as tools. It also introduces a Poe Quest activity designed to engage students in critical thinking through a murder mystery. The webinar concludes with a Q&A session addressing questions about supporting struggling students and applying these strategies in various educational contexts.

Who are the main presenters in the Amplify ELA webinar?

• Larry Berger and a guest speaker

• Mike Peterson and Deb Sabin

• Larry Berger and Deb Sabin

• Mike Peterson and Larry Berger

Why is middle school considered a critical period for student development?

• It is a time of rapid brain development

• Students are learning to read and write

• It is the first time they use technology

• Students are preparing for college

What is the main goal of creating a culture of critical thinking in classrooms?

• To prepare students for standardized tests

• To make students follow instructions

• To encourage students to think like adults

• To ensure students memorize facts

What is the Turing Test used to determine?

• If a student can read fluently

• If a student can solve math problems

• If a computer can think like a human

• If a computer can perform calculations

In the context of critical thinking, what is the significance of 'The Tell-Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe?

• It is a simple story for beginners

• It demonstrates the concept of an unreliable narrator

• It is a story about friendship

• It is a historical text

What is the primary goal of close reading as discussed in the first section?

• To summarize the story

• To identify the main characters

• To observe and question the narrator's perspective

• To memorize the text

How does storyboarding help students understand 'The Tell-Tale Heart'?

• By focusing only on the main events

• By helping them visualize and interpret the text

• By allowing them to rewrite the story

• By providing a summary of the text

What is the significance of comparing the narrator's perspective with the reader's understanding?

• It focuses on the plot development

• It highlights the differences in interpretation

• It simplifies the story

• It helps in identifying the main theme

What is one strategy mentioned for helping struggling students engage with the text?

• Focusing on grammar exercises

• Assigning more homework

• Using longer texts

• Starting with small chunks of text

What is the purpose of the 'quest' activity in the classroom?

• To focus on grammar skills

• To test students' memory

• To encourage critical thinking and engagement

• To provide a break from reading