I strongly believe that equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become critical thinkers is of utmost importance. I feel as if on this blog I have written a lot about standardized testing, but a lot of these topics lend themselves well to a conversation about such. In today's test-heavy education system, there is unfortunately all too often a lack of focus on empowering our students and ensuring they are prepared to face real-world challenges with problem solving and critical thinking skills. I believe it was a conversation I had with Pasha earlier in the semester where we discussed focusing on test-prep, and how that did not transfer to students being able to think critically. However, when we talked about the opposite, teaching our students critical thinking skills, we both strongly were under the belief that this would transfer into students being strong test takers, and it is more important/relevant for children to be prepared with real-life skills. One thing I would like to learn more about with critical thinking is how to promote this amongst younger learners, particularly with the K - 2 students I interact with on a daily basis. I think "teaching" critical thinking skills at any age can be quite challenging, but particularly in the early elementary grades, this poses a particular set of difficulties where you first must teach students basic skills and abilities, and transfer that knowledge to critical thinking skills. One strategy I have seen a teacher at my school utilize quite frequently is outlining the steps students need to take for activities such as problem solving in math. I think that by laying out the different steps students need to take, and then working with them to exploring challenging questions, students will be much more equipped to think independently and become true critical thinkers.