Title: Developing Critical Thinking Skills through Inquirer

Grade Level: 9-12

Subject: English Language Arts

Duration: 3-4 class periods

Objectives: 1. Students will develop critical thinking skills by engaging in inquiry-based activities. 2. Students will practice effective questioning techniques to gather information and analyze texts. 3. Students will enhance their ability to evaluate and synthesize information from various sources. 4. Students will improve their communication skills through collaborative discussions and presentations.

Materials: - Inquirer software or access to the Inquirer website - Computers or tablets with internet access - Texts or articles related to a specific topic (e.g., climate change, social justice, technology, etc.) - Chart paper and markers - Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)

Procedure:

Day 1: Introduction to Inquirer and Questioning Techniques

1. Begin the lesson by discussing the importance of critical thinking and its relevance in today’s world.
2. Introduce the Inquirer software or website to the students, explaining its purpose and features.
3. Demonstrate how to use Inquirer to gather information and generate questions related to a specific topic.
4. Engage students in a guided practice activity where they explore a topic of interest using Inquirer and generate questions.
5. Discuss the different types of questions (open-ended, closed-ended, probing, etc.) and their significance in critical thinking.
6. Assign students to explore Inquirer independently and generate a list of questions related to a given text or article for the next class.

Day 2: Analyzing Texts and Evaluating Information

1. Review the questions generated by students in the previous class.
2. Provide students with a text or article related to the topic they explored using Inquirer.
3. In small groups, students will read and analyze the text, using their generated questions as a guide.
4. Encourage students to use Inquirer to search for additional information and sources to support their analysis.
5. In their groups, students will discuss and evaluate the information gathered, identifying biases, credibility, and relevance.
6. Each group will present their findings to the class, highlighting their critical thinking process and the questions they used.

Day 3: Synthesizing Information and Collaborative Discussions

1. Review the presentations from the previous class and facilitate a class discussion on the different perspectives and insights shared.
2. Introduce the concept of synthesizing information and its importance in critical thinking.
3. Assign students to work in pairs or small groups to synthesize the information gathered from the previous class and create a visual representation (e.g., concept map, infographic) of their findings.
4. Provide students with the necessary materials and resources to create their visual representations.
5. Allow time for students to collaborate, discuss, and refine their visual representations.
6. Each group will present their visual representation to the class, explaining their thought process and the connections they made.

Day 4: Reflection and Application

1. Engage students in a reflective discussion about their experience using Inquirer and the impact it had on their critical thinking skills.
2. Discuss real-life scenarios where critical thinking is essential (e.g., media literacy, decision-making, problem-solving).
3. Assign students to write a reflection essay on the importance of critical thinking and how they can apply it in their daily lives.
4. Collect and assess the reflection essays for understanding and growth in critical thinking skills.

Extension Activities: 1. Conduct a debate or Socratic seminar on a controversial topic, using Inquirer to gather information and generate questions. 2. Assign students to create their own inquiry-based lesson plans for a different subject area, incorporating Inquirer or similar tools. 3. Collaborate with other subject teachers to integrate Inquirer into cross-curricular projects, emphasizing critical thinking skills.

Note: Adapt the lesson plan as per the availability of technology and resources in your classroom.