Developing students’ ability to think critically and deeply is essential for success in today’s complex academic and real-world environments. Rather than reserving rigorous thinking for advanced learners or enrichment activities, integrating Higher Order Thinking into daily instruction ensures that all students are challenged to analyze, evaluate, and create as part of their core learning experience.
This learning experience supports educators in purposefully selecting and explicitly teaching Higher Order Thinking strategies that align with clearly defined Learning Goals. Grounded in cognitive science and instructional best practices, the approach emphasizes both the direct instruction of thinking strategies and their integration into lessons through modeling, scaffolding, and guided application.

By embedding Higher Order Thinking into instruction using anchor charts, graphic organizers, and formative assessments, educators strengthen students’ capacity for deep understanding and cognitive flexibility. As students learn to articulate their reasoning, support ideas with evidence, and transfer thinking strategies across content areas, they grow more engaged, independent, and academically resilient.

With this Higher Order Thinking professional learning, you will be able to…