Practical Critical Thinking
In a world full of bold claims and bad logic, Practical Critical Thinking teaches teens to think clearly, argue well, and spot nonsense—earning a full credit while sharpening real-world smarts.
$67.98
Quantity:
Consumable
In a Curriculum Kit
Multiple Grades
Nonreligious
2026 Tenth-Grade Curriculum Kit
Practical Critical Thinking Grades 9-12
Practical Critical Thinking teaches one of the most valuable skills a high school student can develop: how to evaluate information, weigh evidence, and reach sound conclusions. Designed as a full-year, one-credit course, it helps teens become more thoughtful, independent thinkers in a world overflowing with claims, opinions, and information.
Through real-world scenarios, puzzles, polls, case studies, and problem-solving activities, students learn how to recognize logical fallacies, analyze arguments, identify assumptions, evaluate evidence, and communicate their reasoning clearly. Rather than teaching students what to think, the course focuses on teaching them how to think.
Topics include critical thinking fundamentals, problem-solving, decision-making, advertising techniques, media literacy, eyewitness testimony, and argument analysis. Students regularly apply these concepts to situations that mirror real life, helping the skills transfer beyond the workbook and into everyday decision-making.
One strength of the course is that it doesn't treat critical thinking as an abstract academic exercise. The lessons are practical, relevant, and designed to help students navigate the kinds of claims, persuasive messages, and competing viewpoints they'll encounter throughout high school and beyond.
The 384-page student text is designed for independent learning, while the included 304-page Teacher's Manual provides answers, explanations, and guidance for discussion and review. Most students can complete the work independently, with occasional check-ins to discuss ideas and review progress.
Strong reasoning won't guarantee that your teen will always reach the right conclusion. It does increase the odds that he'll ask better questions, look for better evidence, and think more carefully before accepting a claim simply because someone stated it confidently.
How to Use Practical Critical Thinking
- Plan on completing about 10 pages each week. At that pace, your teen will comfortably finish the course within a school year and earn a full high school credit.
- Before starting a new week's work, spend a few minutes reviewing the previous lessons together. The Teacher's Manual includes complete answers and explanations, making it easy to discuss misconceptions, reinforce concepts, and monitor progress without turning every assignment into a lengthy grading session.
- Most students can complete the next set of pages independently. The lessons combine real-world scenarios, logic puzzles, problem-solving activities, and thought-provoking questions that encourage students to apply critical-thinking skills in practical situations.
- Some activities are designed for discussion or group participation. If you're homeschooling a single student, these can easily be adapted into written responses, family discussions, or independent reflection exercises.
- Encourage your teen to look for opportunities to apply what he's learning outside the workbook. Advertisements, news articles, social media posts, and everyday conversations all provide opportunities to evaluate evidence, identify assumptions, and analyze arguments.
- As the course progresses, many students become more confident in their ability to assess claims, support their opinions with evidence, and think through complex issues with greater clarity and independence.
In the 2026 kits this course earns high school credit:
1 credit of Critical Thinking
Thinking Skills · 10th grade · Classic and Non-Religious kits
Answers are located in the back of this book.
Publisher's Information
Publisher: The Critical Thinking Co™
Author: Catherine Connors-Nelson
Age Recommendation: 14+
Grade Recommendation: 9th+
Faith-Based: No
Consumable: Yes (can be reproduced in your own home or classroom, but not for any commercial entity or organization)
ISBN: 9781601446640
Format: Softcover
review by In Due Season
”One look at the local news or social media posts will confirm that critical thinking skills are NOT being taught in the current school system. We have been using tools from the Critical Thinking Co. all of our homeschooling experience.”
Read the Review
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this product below:
Typically counted as 1 high school credit.
- June 8, 2026
twoblue30
This critical thinking program is very "real life!" My daughter really enjoyed it and it can be use for years to teach every day skills! Highly recommend!
- March 6, 2026
Critical Thinking
Steph H.
Personally, I love that critical thinking books are included in the curriculum kits. These are important life skills to be taught in a direct manner like this and also have the space to practice these skills in the workbook. As time has gone on, it is interesting to see how my son will use the skills he has learned to evaluate and comment on arguments or statements he has heard or read.
- October 24, 2020
Helpful
Rebecca O.
This book he; ps child to Develop Critical Thinking
- August 14, 2020
Very colorful & fun
Rachel
Out of all of the books we received my daughter's school year, this is the one she was most excited about. It's very colorful with lots of fun pictures that draw her in. Plus it's teaching her to think outside of the box and come up with different solutions for problems. We love it!
