Biblical Foundation For CURRICULUM

Everyone thinks; it is our

nature to do so. But much

of our thinking, left to itself,

is biased, distorted, partial,

uninformed, or down-right

prejudiced.

Why Critical Thinking?

Yet the quality of our life

and that of what we produce,

make, or build depends

precisely on the quality of

our thought.

Shoddy thinking is costly,

both in money and in

quality of life.

Why Critical Thinking?

Why Critical Thinking?

Excellence in thought,

however, must be

systematically cultivated.

The Miniature Guide to CriticalThinking: Concepts and Tools

By R. Paul and L. Elder

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is that mode

of thinking – about any

subject, content, or problem

– in which the thinker

improves the quality of his or

her thinking…

What is Critical Thinking?

…by skillfully taking charge

of the structure inherent in

thinking and imposing

intellectual standards upon

them.

p. 1

Critical Thinking Is:

_______-directed

_______-disciplined

_______-monitored

_______-corrective

Elements of Thought

Elementsof

Thought

Purposeof theThinking

Issue

Information

InferenceConcepts

Assumptions

Implications

Points ofView

Intellectual Standards

Accuracy

Precision

Relevance

Depth

Breadth

Logic

Significance

Fairness

Clarity

Egocentric Thinking

The problem:

•…we humans do notnaturally consider the rightsand needs of others

•…we live with the … sensethat we have fundamentallyfigured out the way thingsactually are

Egocentric Thinking

“As humans we live with theunrealistic but confidentsense that we havefundamentally figured out theway things are, and that wehave done this objectively.We naturally believe in ourintuitive perceptions---however inaccurate.” p.11

The Biblical View / Need

Rooted in fallen nature

In need of renewing

Disciplines are broken

• In need of correction

Completion

Rejection

Intellectual Traits

Humility

Courage

Empathy

Autonomy

Integrity

Perseverance

Confidence

Fairmindedness

The Goal

“Critical thinkers routinelyapply the intellectualstandards to the elements ofreasoning in order to developintellectual traits.” p.18

Intellectual Traits

Humility

Courage

Empathy

Autonomy

Integrity

Perseverance

Confidence

Fairmindedness

Biblical Foundation For CURRICULUM

Critical Thinking Skills

What skills do you want yourstudents to possess?

Resource

Critical Thinking Handbook:K-3rd Grade by Paul, Binkerand Weil.

Foundation for Critical Thinking

Role of Teacher

Encourage students to findpersonal answers throughself-reflected experiences

and thought processes

p. 38

Role of Teacher

Ask Questions in order to clarify:

•How does the student’sthinking conflict with otherpoints of view?

•How did the student come toform this point of view?

Role of Teacher

• Where does the student’spoint take us, what followsfrom it?

•Can the student support hisor her view with reasons orevidence?

Sources for Belief

Personal (operational)

versus

Didactic (instructional)

Examples of Skills

Our children begin to…

think for themselves

appreciate the point of viewof others

question what the peergroups says and speak upfor what they believe

Examples of Skills

Our children begin to…

question as they read

discover when it makessense to believe what theyhear

discuss differences in amore reasoned way

discover standards formeasuring or judging things

Integration Task

When starting with a list of

critical thinking skills, these

skills, like all other aspects of

the curriculum, must and can

be integrated.

Integrated Skills

I should not only seek toknow the truth, but I willseek to act consistently withwhat I say and believe.

Justin McCaslin

CIU grad student

Integrated Skills

I should strive to becomewell-informed in every kind oflearning, but I should resolveto filter all my learningthrough God’s truth

Justin McCaslin

CIU grad student

Integrated Skills

I should analyze theinformation and ideas thatare presented to me. I shouldalways ask myself, “What isthe worldview at the center ofthis idea?”

Justin McCaslin

CIU grad student

Integrated Skills

Have the courage to look atdifferent beliefs, theories,principles, etc, in order toanalyze, evaluate, and bettertake a stand for a Christianworldview.

Carole Steedman

CIU grad student

Integrated Skills

Connect God’s word andsubject disciplines, connectwhat is being learned withGod’s word, based on thepremise that all truth is God’struth.

Carole Steedman

CIU grad student

Integrated Skills

Evaluate the credibility ofsources of informationagainst Scripture. Considereverything you read, seeand hear.

Carole Steedman

CIU grad student

Integrated Skills

I should remember that God’sthoughts are higher than myown. Therefore, I should notarrogantly rely on only myown understanding.

Justin McCaslin

CIU grad student

Developing from Scripture1. Matt 15:8

2. 1 Cor. 9:22

3. Colossians 2:8

4. 1 Peter 3:15

5. Acts 4:13

6. 1 Tim. 1:3-7

1. Proverbs 3:5-6

2. Proverbs 4:1-2

3. Proverbs 18:17

4. Matthew 7:24

5. 1 Cor. 16:13

6. Daniel 1:4, 8

From Biblical Example

Jesus

Paul

Daniel

Peter

____________

____________

____________

In Practice

The structure of the discipline

*Biblical Integration

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