Logic/Critical thinking curriculum??????

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by Brooke, Jul 31, 2004.

  1. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

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    Anyone know of a good curriculum or supplement for logic and critical thinking for a gifted 3rd grader? I am finding a few things but his grade is on the border line of most of the stuff and I'm not sure whether to jump to the next level or stay with his age. I've looked at Building Thinking Skills mostly. I am sure there is more out there....maybe even a bit cheaper? I have found some things on e-bay, so price might not be such a big deal.

    Any ideas are welcome!
     
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  3. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    I love the Critical Thinking stuff (www.CriticalThinking.com), but they are rather pricey. The stuff I've got from them I've been able to find used in excellent condition for a decent price. Also, try a teacher store. Mom bought something called "Gifted & Talented Workbooks" for Rachael a good while back. I've used several of them. They are published by RGA Publishing Group, Inc.
     
  4. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

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    Brooke.....

    I'm glad you brought this subject up because its one I'm still *waffling* on. I use critical thinking books from Steck Vaughn.

    They are kind of a *take no prisioners* type of workbook. However, with ds perception, he is not finding them *fun*. They get the job done and well, but not without a lot of complaining. So this year I have been checking into mind benders by critical thinking and there is also one about detectives for this age. I think it seems more fun problem solving those kinds of things.

    Kathryn Stout also puts out a book called Critical Conditioning that I have *eyeing*..Here is a blurb that I have been perusing...

    Critical Conditioning by Kathryn L. Stout, B.S. Ed., M. Ed.
    Now you can see all of the components of reading comprehension covered from grades K-8, along with definitions, explanations, and activity ideas. Teaching suggestions include ways of incorporating analysis and thinking skills while covering comprehension objectives. Topics include elements and types of literature, reference skills, SQRRR study skills, propaganda techniques, discussion questions, and more. This is an area too easily forgotten when library books are used for your reading program. For anyone using readers, this will help eliminate the busy work.

    Anyway, he'll have to finish what I have first, before I check into our possibilities,but already this book and things put out by critical thinking seem more appealing to him.
     
  5. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

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    I've been looking at all sorts of stuff. I checked out Mind Benders, too. It seems like not alot of book for the $$$. I might be wrong, but it seems that there are only 30 pp per book and then you need to purchase the next one.

    I'm going to check out websites with printables. Surely someplace has worksheets. I would like to start out our day with one or maybe more/less often depending on how it is received. He needs a challenge and enjoys it, too. I hope to find something soon!

    Building Thinking Skills seems like a winner....just need to find it in my budget! :p
     
  6. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Last year at the conference, DH found the Critical Thinking booth, and spent a lot of time there. He was REALLY impressed, but as you say, it's a LOT of money! So when I went to buy Rachael's used math book this year, the person selling it also had two of their stuff for not too much, so I asked her to throw them in, too. I then found one more at a Used Curriculum Sale. One that I picked up was "Reading Detective", which I started Rachael on last year. "Descriptive Mysteries" I'm not too excited about. "A Case of Red Herrings" I think would be fun to do as a family around the dinner table once or twice a week. Last of all is is "Mind Benders". Faythe loves these...they're the "typical" logic puzzles...trying to find out which kid has which pet and which name goes with each.
     
  7. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

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    Does the Mind Bender series also include figural questions? (i.e. rotate this object twice to the left...) Whatever I purchase needs to use a wide spectrum of activities.
     
  8. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Then you probably don't want Mind Benders. They are exclusively Logic Problems, and you can find similar stuff by doing a search for Logic Puzzles on-line. I think Enchanted Learning has some. I got the book for about $2, which is why I bought it.
     
  9. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

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    Thanks, Jackie. That helped to know that in advance. I'll see what I can find.
     
  10. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Hey, Brooke! Remember I said I wasn't too excited about the "Case of Red Herrings" book? Well, I was SURE WRONG!!! I took it with us on our vacation. You read the little story out-loud, and then the kids ask yes-no questions to try to solve it. I thought they'd be way to complicated for my kids. Well, they LOVED them!!! And they asked very intelligent questions! One of the stories had to do with a woman who put on a "heavy coat" on morning, then left her house for the day. But it wasn't cold or raining outside. Answer: She was painting an interior wall on her house and left so it could dry. Well, my 4YO wanted to know if she was going to a fire, because he knows fire fighters have to wear heavy coats. Even with some of the questions that were "wrong", I would often comment on what a good question it was, or that it showed they were really thinking or some such (especially with my middle one, who needs all the reassuring she can get.) My oldest one doesn't like to say ANYTHING when she isn't sure. Whenever I ask her what she thinks, she'll reply with "Well, what do YOU think?" This is helping her to "take risks", and she's really enjoying it.

    Hey! I think I was not too far from you last week! You're near the Illinois/Iowa border, right? We came up whatever route it was that goes to Rockford, and then up through Eau Claire. Had a wonderful time!
     
  11. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

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    Rockford is a little ways away from me, but you probably took 80 or 88 into IL. It's kinda neat when paths cross! We might be heading to Texas soon for a job interview and the first thing I thought of was the ladies on here and wondering if I would be close or not. We don't have a location yet for hubby's testing or I'd find out who was closeby.

    Thanks for more info on the Red Herring books. That sounds like it would span the ages of my kids, too. I was a bit distraught at the thought of purchasing expensive books for each of my kids. I also found some printables but I'm gonna be searching some more. I was wanting some more visual and analogical material as well, but I'll keep looking for a deal. Sooner or later I'll find Building Thinking Skills within my budget! :shock:
     
  12. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    I looked it up! We took 74 to Bloomington, and then up 39. The goal was to AVOID the Tri-State. My "l'il brother" and two good friends lived ther for several years when I was younger, so I know the Chicago suburbs pretty well, enough to know the Tri-State is ALWAYS under construction! I was thrilled when I learned we didn't have to go through it! Keep an eye open for the Critical Thinking books at the used places!
     
  13. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

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    Brooke.....

    Did I * Hear* correctly? LOL TEXAS. :shock: ...Job interview???? Where??? :D


    Jackie....a lot of people on the Calvert loop like the red herrings....I still not made my mind up yet for this year..I stillhave so much stuff I want to get through yet...but the book sounds great!
     
  14. Trudy Powell

    Trudy Powell New Member

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    As for saving money on these types of books, I would think that the library would have tons of these types of books if you wanted to work on something like that. I haven't really looked into critical thinking type material yet. My children are constantly asking me deep, probing questions about things, showing that they have been exercising their critical thinking skills, but I can see where these types of story and question times would be beneficial.
     
  15. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

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    Trudy, I haven't been able to check a library yet. Our little town doesn't have one and I need to purchase a library card at another location (usually to the tune of around $100.....I found one town somewhat close that only charges $20 so I'll be going there this week). I also was looking through some stuff a homeschooling aunt gave me a while back and low and behold I came across The Logic Box! It looks like a pencil box and has everything I've been looking for! My God is good to me!!!!!! Whew-hoo!!!!! :eek:

    Tina, My hubby is in the process of securing a testing date in Texas as a correctional officer. We are not sure of which location. We'd obviously like the closest testing site to us, but we have no reason to prefer one area over another when it comes to employment....unless you have the inside scoop on that 8) . I'll keep you posted! BTW, we are looking at several other states right now including MN, IN, and WI.
     

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