Developing students’ capacity for Higher Order Thinking is essential for academic success and lifelong learning. When students analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information, they move beyond surface understanding and become active constructors of knowledge. Embedding Higher Order Thinking into daily instruction ensures that all learners—not just advanced students—are consistently challenged to think critically and creatively. Grounded in cognitive science and best instructional practices, this approach involves the purposeful selection and explicit teaching of strategies aligned to clear Learning Goals. Through modeling, scaffolding, and guided application, students gain the tools to confidently engage with complex content.

Reading Comprehension, Writing, and Higher Order Thinking Strategies function as interconnected critical thinking strategies. Reading Comprehension supports students in identifying key ideas, making inferences, and asking purposeful questions. Writing enables them to clarify thinking, explain reasoning, and support ideas with evidence. Higher Order Thinking Strategies — such as comparing, evaluating, and drawing conclusions — guide how students process and extend their learning. Together, these strategies foster deeper understanding, metacognition, and cognitive flexibility, empowering students to become thoughtful, independent, and engaged learners.

With this Increase Critical Thinking with Higher Order Thinking Strategies professional learning, you will be able to…