Instead of using multiple choice tests, fill-in-the-blank, etc., use the verbs below in discussing a topic of learning to help your children develop critical thinking skills. For example, ask your child to clarify a problem, outline the major events, compare the results, evaluate the results, etc.

• Alphabetize
• Analyze
• Assess
• Categorize
• Characterize
• Choose
• Clarify
• Classify
• Compare
• Compose
• Compute
• Conclude
• Construct
• Contrast
• Count
• Create
• Critique
• Debate
• Define
• Describe
• Decide
• Determine
• Diagram
• Distinguish
• Discuss
• Editorialize
• Elaborate
• Enumerate
• Estimate
• Evaluate
• Experiment
• Explain
• Express
• Generalize
• Graph
• Identify
• Infer
• Invent
• Justify
• Label
• Lecture
• List
• Match
• Measure
• Model
• Modify
• Name
• Order
• Organize
• Outline
• Portray
• Predict
• Prioritize
• Produce
• Propose
• Rank
• Rate
• Read
• Recommend
• Relate
• Retell
• Select
• Sequence
• Show
• Simplify
• Sketch
• Solve
• Specify
• Summarize
• Translate
• Verify
• Write

   

   

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