Brainstorming is a traditional and effective way to develop critical thinking skills in young students. Brainstorming activities can be incorporated into any subject area taught in the second grade classroom. If you are about to conduct a science experiment as a class, pause before starting to ask students what they think is going to happen during the experiment. Before reading a new book together in a language arts classroom, ask students what they think is going on in the picture on the front cover.
The second grade classroom typically involves many hands-on activities that teachers can use to help students get in touch with their creative side. When assigning an activity that involves writing, creating or doing something artistic, leave as much of the project open to student interpretation as possible. For example, instead of telling each student to write a short story about her day, give students the assignment of writing about something important to them, no matter what it is. Allow students to be creative when it comes to crafts and let them explore new options instead of always sticking to the same routine.
Second grade students often spend a lot of time comparing and contrasting objects during their daily lives. However, these students may not realize that the act of comparing and contrasting is actually helping them develop their critical thinking skills. Teachers should incorporate comparison and contrast activities into the classroom whenever possible to help students hone the skills they are already using. Ask your students to compare and contrast everything, from addition and subtraction to vowels and consonants to the different seasons of the year.
Group activities offer an effective way for second grade teachers to help their students use and develop their critical thinking skills. Ask students to design a creative picture of the weather outside as a group. Emphasize the importance of each group member working together to add something to the piece. Group projects can be used in any subject taught in the second grade classroom as a way to help students enhance their critical thinking skills, as long as it is stressed that each student should make a contribution to the group.