On Critical Thinking

Inside active, student-engaged classroom communities, processes of noticing and wondering, are found leading to the development of unique thoughts and authentic voice. Teachers, as thoughtful guides, lead students forward on journeys of the mind where paths of inquiry are fostered. Choices are provided. Critical thinking and accountable talk occur leading to the amplification of student voice.

Both DigiLitSunday led by Margaret Simon and #10FoundWords Project (Day 25) created by Laura Shovan invited writers to synthesize their thoughts on prompts provided. I created one poem based on Margaret's topic, Critical Thinking, and Laura's 10 found phrases from “Teaching Resistance in Unjust Times,” by NCTE Historian Jonna Perillo, NCTE Blog, 2/15/17.

• tool of resistance
• those loyal aliens
• under suspicion
• asked their teachers why
• complex and riskier
• our thoughts are foolish
• going off the rails
• bad hombres
• recycled phrases
• writer as a rebel
• Bonus: democratic life

Tagul Word Cloud created by Carol Varsalona, 2017

In the turmoil of recycled phrases,

students question teachers, Why?

In turn, teachers respond with care

while safely guiding all voices into

a culture of trust. No thought is

regarded as foolish in these

communities of respect where

pathways of safe engagement

are established.

Using norms and protocols,

accountable talk flows.

Brainstorming with tools

to unpack confusion, follows.

Terms, like bad hombres,

loyal aliens are examined.

Students ponder. Who are

these dudes? Discussion

digs deep. There are neighbors

under suspicion. What should

we do? Learners write to

grasp the bigger picture.

In a time of complexities and

risks, the pen is taken up to

soothe the soul. Authentic

voice rises in the silence,

turning negativity into positivity.

Writers write with words of hope,

combating negativity posed. Trying

to comprehend the enormity of

the world's reality, their pens

are their tools of resistance.

Seeking understanding in a

world grappling with truth,

learners are encouraged to

resist hearsay and provide

evidence for their beliefs.

It is through the critical

thinking process, not
going off the rails, that

students finds their place

in the democracy of

classroom life as voices

rise in fellowship.

©CVarsalona, 2017

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If today’s students want to compete in this global society, they must be proficient communicators, creators, critical thinkers, and collaborators. ~National Education Association

DigiLit Sunday

#10FoundWords