PDF lesson plans and worksheets
KS1, KS2
Years 2, 5-6
The Open Minds Foundation has identified a deficit of critical thinking skills in education. Working with 9,500 schools, it has developed a range of critical thinking lesson plans.
Here you can download sample critical thinking lesson plans, with resources for Year 2, Year 5 and Year 6. Find the full set of resources available via Jigsaw PSHE.
Why teach critical thinking?
For children, critical thinking is a skill that we can introduce to encourage lateral thinking and build pupils’ confidence. Being able to think critically helps children develop their own opinions and, importantly, gives them the agency to lead happy and healthy lives.
Critical thinking is an essential skill to complement fact and knowledge-based learning.
Year 2 critical thinking lesson plan
Key learning: Why do people tell lies?
Learning objectives: Understand that some people tell lies and that this is wrong
Critical thinking skills
- Curiosity: How can we be sure something is honest and true?
- Evidence: What facts do we need to find out if something is true?
- Problem solving: Be aware of the need to think critically when analysing and deciding how true and fair something is
Year 5 critical thinking lesson plans
Lesson 1
Key learning: How do you know who to trust?
Learning objectives: Question who we trust
Critical thinking skills
- Curiosity: What is trust?
- Evidence: What values make someone trustworthy?
- Problem solving: How can we trust someone?
Key learning: How do you know who to trust?
Learning objectives: Question who we trust
Lesson 2
Key learning: What is manipulation and how can we be aware of it?
Learning objectives: Understand that we may be manipulated and how to avoid this from happening
Critical thinking skills
- Curiosity: What is manipulation?
- Evidence: Why do people get manipulated?
- Problem solving: How do we reduce the risk of being manipulated and what do we do if we find out that we are?
Year 6 critical thinking lesson plan
Key learning: Who can we trust online?
Learning objectives: Learn that it is difficult to know who to trust when online and that grooming can occur
Critical thinking skills
- Curiosity: Can we trust what we read and see online?
- Evidence: How do we know who to trust online?
- Problem solving: How can we get help if we believe we are being groomed?
The Open Minds Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organisation, established to raise awareness of and educate on the dangers of coercion and coercive control.
