How to Foster Critical Thinking at the Primary Education Level
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How to Foster Critical Thinking at the Primary Education Level

From a young age, children are capable of learning some foundational critical thinking concepts and skills. Though they are largely egocentric, children can nevertheless begin to think within other points of view, at least to some degree. They can begin to take thinking apart (to focus, for example, on purpose, questions, information, inferences, in thinking). They can begin to apply intellectual standards to their thinking (such as clarity, accuracy, relevance and logicalness). They can begin to develop intellectual virtues (such as intellectual perseverance, intellectual humility, and intellectual integrity). This workshop introduces primary school teachers to some of the most basic concepts in critical thinking, and focuses on how to make these concepts accessible to young children through simplified language. Once internalized, students can take critical thinking skills and dispositions forward into upper grades, and eventually use them to integrate ideas among subjects and disciplines.


 About Ms Carmen Polka

Carmen PolkaMs. Carmen Polka has worked diligently to infuse critical thinking into her classroom instruction, curriculum, and assessment for more than eighteen years. Recognized as her district's Elementary Teacher of the Year, Ms. Polka's students and their families have thrived in her classroom culture that fosters strong-sense critical thinking.

Focused on transforming education through implementation of quality instructional practices, Ms. Polka instigated and co-authored the writing of the Colorado Academic State Standards targeting research and reasoning based on the Paul-Elder framework. As a leader and critical thinking expert in her district, she led professional development and coached K-12 teachers to effectively utilize the Paulian theory. As a Scholar of the Foundation for Critical Thinking, Ms. Polka has led focal presentations, academies, and workshops, and supports all levels of Paulian implementation in schools, districts, and universities.

Ms. Polka is currently a principal at an elementary school with students that are in Early Childhood through fifth grade. She is also a Doctoral candidate in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program at the University of Northern Colorado. In addition, she is a licensed K-12 Special Education teacher.



Registration Details

 

Topic: How to Foster Critical Thinking at the Primary Education Level
Target Audience: Primary School Educators

Date: 24-25 June 2021
Time: 8.30 am – 11.30 am S'pore Time GMT+8
Mode of delivery: via Zoom

Closing date: 7 May 2021 Friday

Click Here to Register

Webinar Fee: S$120.00 per participant. If 2 or more participants from the same school/organization attend the same webinar, the discounted fee will be S$100.00 per participant for that particular webinar. Fees are subject to GST and include all training materials.

Registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis. No refunds will be made for cancellations or in the case of absentees. The Academy accepts replacements for registered participants who are unable to attend for whatever reasons.

Please contact Joseph Loy at email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you need further information.

School/Cluster-Based Workshop Registration

If your school or cluster is keen to conduct this as an in-house programme, please contact Joseph Loy by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or tel: 6363 0330 on the cost of conducting the workshop.