Foundations for Critical Thinking
https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-conception-of- critical-thinking/411
This is a US organization that is led by Dr. Linda Elder. The website provides some good introductory free tools and descriptors for what is Critical thinking as well as how to approach Critical Thinking in a lesson or topic. It is a large website so it will require time to navigate. There is a paid membership portion granting access to much of the literature (workbooks, research, and so on) not necessary initially.
The Critical Thinking Consortium
https://tc2.ca/
This organization is out of UBC in Vancouver. The entire project and materials presented are built to support the British Columbia curriculum. The lessons can be used to support Alberta curriculum and any other topic or content you are engaged with. The site provides material for all ages but for the full program for each course or grade the materials need to be purchased.
Ted Ed
https://ed.ted.com/lessons?category=critical-thinking
Short videos, each a lesson incorporating critical thinking.
Morningside Center
https://www.morningsidecenter.org/
This web site supports teachers with providing lessons for group engagement, critical thought, social responsibility, it is free.
Mentoring Minds
https://www.mentoringminds.com/
Some downloadable material for critical thinking and pedagogy
Wabisabi Learning
https://wabisabilearning.com/
Some good free resources (workbook) for critical thinking and fun thinking activities.
Edward De Bono
Six Thinking Hats
Excellent book
Debate.org
https://www.debate.org/
Debate.org is a free online community where intelligent minds from around the world come to debate online and read the opinions of others. Research today’s most controversial debate topics and cast your vote on our opinion polls.
Introduction to Critical Thinking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cum3k-Wglfw
A ten minute video that gives an excellent summary of critical thinking
Right Question Institute
https://rightquestion.org/
All the material is free, an excellent source for lessons to introduce students to the important skill of asking questions.
Canada’s History
https://www.canadashistory.ca/
The importance of understanding ourselves by examining our history has been an anchoring belief of Canada’s History Society. We bring relevance and awareness to our nation’s diverse past, illuminating the people, places, and events that unite us as Canadians. This web site has lessons, videos and subscriptions.
The Secret Path
https://www.secretpath.ca/
The Chanie Wenjak story , delivered through the graphic novel and video by Gord Downie, story of residential schools and native who lives in our country.
Canada: A Peoples' History
https://curio.ca/en/collection/canada-a-peoples-history-1268/
Excellent series for Grade 7 students, uses video and workbook. All free to download.
Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History
https://canadianmysteries.ca/en/index.php
Excellent resource for lessons that include fun and engaging material.
Alberta Tomorrow
https://albertatomorrow.ca
An interactive site that uses GIS technology to help students evaluate environmental and social impacts.
Historica Canada
https://www.historicacanada.ca
Videos, lessons, primary sources
Global Oneness Project
https://www.globalonenessproject.org
A free site with lesson plans and lengthy videos about contemporary issues seen through the lens of artists and film makers.
Library of Congress
https://www.loc.gov/programs/teachers/getting-started-with- primary-sources/
This site gives good tools and instructions for sourced based analysis , free!
National Archives
https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets
Another excellent site to help build source based analysis skills.
History Matters
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/sia/photo.htm
Excellent source based resource with experts using audio and images to show how one analyzes sources- higher level
National Film Board of Canada
https://www.nfb.ca
Excellent video compendium of short films and feature films that are all about Canada and Canadians present and past. With a membership (cheap) you will also get some lesson ideas.
The Canadian Social Studies Super Site
https://sites.ualberta.ca/~jkirman/
This is a limited annotated list of websites for Canadian social studies educators, and those interested in Canada, carefully examined for their quality and use.
Politifact
https://www.politifact.com
An independent fact checking organization that holds all political parties to task.
Historical Thinking Project
http://historicalthinking.ca/historical-thinking-concepts
Excellent source to understand what skills are essential in social studies and how to implement them. The Historical Thinking Project works with six distinct but closely interrelated historical thinking concepts. To think historically, students need to be able to:
- Establish historical significance Use primary source evidence Identify continuity and change Analyze cause and consequence Take historical perspectives, and
- Understand the ethical dimension of historical interpretations.
