Let's Be Super Sleuths: Cracking the Case with Critical Thinking!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 4:18 Video
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Lesson Description

Join us on an adventure to learn how to use our brains like super sleuths! We'll watch a fun video and use clues to solve a mystery together, just like Tyler in the video!

Video Resource

Critical Thinking Skills and Examples for Kids | Solve a problem using critical thinking!

Learn Bright

Duration: 4:18
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Critical Thinking: Using our brains to solve problems.
  • Clues: Finding hints to help us figure things out.
  • Problem-Solving: Working together to find answers.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify clues in a simple problem.
  • Students will be able to work with others to use the clues to find a solution.
  • Students will be able to understand the basic concept of critical thinking.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    1. Greet students and introduce the topic: 'Today, we're going to be super sleuths and solve a mystery using our brains!' 2. Ask: 'What do you do when you have a problem?' Discuss simple problem-solving strategies (asking for help, trying different things).
  • Video Time (5 mins)
    1. Tell students they will watch a video about Tyler, who has a problem. 2. Play the YouTube video: Critical Thinking Skills and Examples for Kids | Solve a problem using critical thinking! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibq3idYxE4E). 3. Instruct students to pay close attention to the clues that help Tyler solve his problem.
  • Clue Catchers (10 mins)
    1. After the video, ask: 'What problem did Tyler have?' 2. Review the clues from the video. Write them on the board or a large piece of paper using simple language and pictures (e.g., JK likes to kick, draw a kicking foot). 3. Explain: 'These clues are like hints that help us find the answers!'
  • Solve the Mystery Together (10 mins)
    1. Draw a simple table on the board with the classmates' names (Bill, JK, Lisa, Susie) across the top and the sports (Basketball, Kickball, Football, Soccer) down the side. 2. Go through each clue again, working together to eliminate possibilities by drawing an 'X' in the table. Guide students with questions like: 'We know JK likes to kick, does he like kickball? So, should we put an X there?' 3. Celebrate as each answer is revealed!
  • Wrap-Up (5 mins)
    1. Review what critical thinking means: 'Using our clues and brains to solve problems.' 2. Ask: 'What did we learn about Bill, JK, Lisa and Suzie?' 3. Praise students for being excellent super sleuths!

Interactive Exercises

  • Sports Charades
    Act out different sports. Have students guess the sport and then explain how they knew. This reinforces the connection between the clues and the answers.
  • Mystery Bag
    Place several familiar objects in a bag. Have students reach in without looking and describe the object, giving clues for others to guess. This practices observation and clue-giving skills.

Discussion Questions

  • What was Tyler's problem?
  • What clues did Tyler have to help him solve the problem?
  • How did the table help us find the answers?
  • Can you think of a time you had to use clues to solve a problem?

Skills Developed

  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem-Solving
  • Listening Comprehension
  • Collaboration

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is Tyler trying to find out?

Correct Answer: What games his friends like to play

Question 2:

What helps Tyler solve his problem?

Correct Answer: Clues

Question 3:

What did Bill like to play?

Correct Answer: Basketball

Question 4:

What did Lisa like to play?

Correct Answer: Kickball

Question 5:

What did JK like to play?

Correct Answer: Soccer

Question 6:

What did Suzie like to play?

Correct Answer: Football

Question 7:

What can we use to solve problems?

Correct Answer: Our brains

Question 8:

What is another name for a clue?

Correct Answer: Hint

Question 9:

What can we use to organize clues?

Correct Answer: Table

Question 10:

What is it called when we use clues to find answers?

Correct Answer: Critical Thinking

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

We use our _____ to think.

Correct Answer: brains

Question 2:

A _____ helps us solve a problem.

Correct Answer: clue

Question 3:

Bill plays ________.

Correct Answer: basketball

Question 4:

Lisa plays ________.

Correct Answer: kickball

Question 5:

Susie plays ________.

Correct Answer: football

Question 6:

JK plays ________.

Correct Answer: soccer

Question 7:

Finding the answer is called _______ the problem.

Correct Answer: solving

Question 8:

We can work _________ to solve problems.

Correct Answer: together

Question 9:

A ________ can help us organize information.

Correct Answer: table

Question 10:

When we use our brains to find answers, it's called __________ __________.

Correct Answer: critical thinking

Educational Standards

PK.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting. PK.1.S.2:Students will engage in collaborative discussions about various topics and texts, including their own writing, with peers and adults in small and large groups with prompting. PK.3.R.2:Students will answer basic questions (e.g., who, what, where, and when) about texts, photographs, or illustrations during shared reading or other text experiences with prompting. PK.4.R.1:Students will name and sort familiar objects into categories based on similarities and differences with prompting. PK.8.R:Students will listen and respond to read-alouds, participate in shared reading, and interact independently with texts.

Teaching Materials

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