Critical Thinking / Problem Solving Homeschool Homeroom (Twice per Week)
Students will meet twice weekly to form a community of critical thinkers. Socratic questioning, debate, brain teasers, open-ended challenges and more will lead students to develop critical thinking and problem solving abilities.
April Tierney, M.Ed.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(2,151)
What's included
2 live meetings
1 hrs 30 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
Note: I have recently accepted a full-time position and now teach very few classes on Outschool. At this time, I am unable to accommodate class requests. Thank you! To excel in a 21st century world, kids need much more than the "Three R's." Parents and educators are attempting to prepare kids for a future that will be vastly different than our own- for jobs that don't even exist yet. How can we do this? I believe we can best prepare our students to adapt to an ever-changing world through experiences in critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving. These skills are not subject-specific and will apply to whatever challenges life throws at our students. This twice-weekly ongoing class will serve as a "homeroom" of sorts for students who wish to develop the skills listed below in an accepting community that celebrates diversity and cooperation: Problem-Solving Communication Debate/Discussion Divergent Thinking Adaptability Creativity Leadership Collaboration Teamwork Conflict Resolution Reasoning/Logic How will these skills be learned? In a variety of ways, including but not limited to: -Facilitating classroom discussion and debate about real-life conundrums and dilemmas -Asking students to work together to solve brain-teasers or other similar puzzles -Using Socratic Questioning to challenge thinking and promote discovery -Issuing class-wide STEM challenges -Giving students a problem to solve that has multiple answers or no clear answer -Asking students to argue something from another point of view -Teaching students to disagree respectfully and thoughtfully The class format will follow this general pattern: First 5 minutes: Greetings/New and Noteworthy 5 minutes: Warm-up Brain Teaser 30 minutes: Main Lesson/Challenge Last 5 minutes: Debrief/Goodbye I have been teaching for more than 15 years, and my teaching style can be described as high-energy and compassionate. I use humor, high-interest activities, and multi-sensory methods to keep instruction engaging and meaningful. This classroom will be a safe space for all who enter, including LGBTQIA+ youth, the neurodiverse, those of all religions, genders, backgrounds, ethnicities, and any other unique traits that make our world the beautiful cornucopia of diversity that it is.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
There may be points in class when we debate topics that are of political or ethical relevance, but all opinions will be heard and responded to respectfully as part of a colorful discussion. It is difficult for growth to happen if students are not challenged and pushed outside of their comfort zones or world-views every once and a while.
Supply List
No supplies will be required for most classes, but occasionally I will post that something like pencil and paper may be needed.
Language of Instruction
English
Joined April, 2020
4.9
2151reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Iowa Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Master's Degree in Education from Morningside College
I am a certified teacher in the state of Iowa in the United States, and I hold a master's degree in education. I have more than 15 years of teaching experience at all age levels and in many subject areas. I specialize in teaching neurodiverse learners and also have experience teaching critical thinking skills for a company called Synthesis that is on a mission to develop "Supercollaborators" to solve the problems of a complex world. Reviews
Live Group Class
$24
weekly ($12 per class)2x per week
45 min
Completed by 28 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-13
3-12 learners per class
