Developing Critical Thinking through Science, Books One and Two

Name: Developing Critical Thinking through Science, Books One and Two
Brand: The Critical Thinking Co.™

by The Critical Thinking Co.™

ScienceGrades 1–8

Developing Critical Thinking through Science: Hands-On Discovery Approach

A two-book science curriculum series from The Critical Thinking Co. designed for grades 1-8 that emphasizes hands-on experiments and guided inquiry. The curriculum focuses on physics concepts and requires minimal science background from teachers, with step-by-step procedures and explanations provided throughout.

Best for

Homeschooling parents or teachers with limited science background who want structured hands-on activities for elementary and middle grade students

Evaluation Criteria

1 strength · 2 concerns · 2 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Teacher TrainingStrength

Strong support for teachers with minimal science background through comprehensive guidance and explanations.

Designed so 'teacher is not expected to have any science background' with 'step-by-step procedures' and 'questions, explanations and answers laid out at each step where needed'

Direct InstructionConcern

The curriculum appears to rely primarily on guided inquiry and discovery rather than explicit direct instruction of science concepts.

Philosophy emphasizes learning through 'guided inquiry' and 'constructing knowledge' through hands-on experiences rather than direct teaching of content

Retrieval PracticeConcern

Limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice, though some review lessons are included at unit ends.

Book One includes 'review lessons at the end of each unit' and some concept repetition between books, but no mention of regular retrieval or spaced practice

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum appears to cover physics concepts systematically across both books but emphasis on hands-on discovery may limit depth of content knowledge building.

Book One covers observing, water, buoyancy, air pressure, force, and space/light concepts across 41 lessons, while Book Two expands with 80 lessons in 17 units, with some concepts revisited at higher levels

Hands On IntegrationNeutral

Strong emphasis on hands-on activities with guided structure, though may lean heavily toward discovery rather than balanced integration with explicit instruction.

Philosophy emphasizes 'doing through direct, firsthand experiences' and 'constructing knowledge through guided inquiry' with step-by-step procedures provided for experiments

Ngss AlignmentInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence to determine alignment with Next Generation Science Standards or comparable rigorous standards.

Review does not mention standards alignment or three-dimensional learning framework

Scientific VocabularyInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence to assess how scientific vocabulary is taught or reinforced throughout the curriculum.

Review mentions concepts and activities but does not describe explicit vocabulary instruction or terminology development

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com