Less than $5 8th Grade Critical Thinking Activities (by price, low to high)

Critical thinking activity for small/whole that motivates students to take charge of their learning process. Encourages students to discuss their classroom learning successes as well as disasters. Activity will have students discussing learning processes and study skills. Student scenarios given and guided questions with handout chart included.

Increase critical thinking skills with this Thanksgiving-themed Costa's Levels of Inquiry activity! Students will categorize questions based on Costa’s Level 1, 2, and 3, promoting deeper understanding of Thanksgiving traditions and ELA skills. Perfect for engaging middle and high school students in critical analysis and creative thinking during the holiday season!

What's Included

• 10 Thanksgiving-themed questions for categorizing into Costa's Level of Questioning
• Answer key

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✨November Early Finisher Packet

If you are looking for a fun and interactive way to get your students working together, trying something new, and having a little fun along the way, while also getting them up and moving a bit, then you will love this team building and leadership challenge! Use it as an icebreaker or add a few extra challenges that students will work through and make it a complete lesson! My early elementary and middle school students loved this activity.

This AVID Costa's Levels of Thinking Early Finisher Packet includes a variety of critical thinking activities for middle and high school students. It features a passage with leveled questions, a creative "Finish the Story" activity using Costa’s levels, and an exercise where students categorize questions by thinking level. Perfect for classroom use or independent practice, this packet helps deepen understanding and encourages higher-level thinking!

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✨AVID Bundle

✨Costa Bundle

✨Early Finisher Packets

What's Included

1. Passage with Leveled Questions

• Overview: This activity provides students with a short, engaging passage followed by questions categorized by Costa's Levels of Thinking.

2. Costa’s "Finish the Story" Activity

• Overview: This creative writing activity allows students to apply Costa’s Levels of Thinking as they finish a partially written story. Each stage of the activity corresponds to a different level of thinking.

3. Categorizing Costa's Questions Activity

• Overview: In this activity, students are given a set of questions related to a topic and must categorize them into Costa’s Levels of Thinking. This helps students learn how to identify different types of thinking questions.

Bonus Features

• Answer Key: An answer key is provided for teachers to quickly check the categorization activity and leveled questions.
• No-Prep, Print-and-Go Format: Just print and distribute!

Perfect For:

• Early finishers
• Enrichment activities
• Critical thinking lessons
• Independent or small group work
• Sub plans

A great way to get students journaling is to combine visuals with words to stimulate the mind. The eleven-slide PowerPoint addresses study skills, time management, stress management, interpersonal relationships and goal setting. Great for group discussions and story starters, as well.

A fun, interactive way to introduce classmates to one another. These two Bingo-like sheets have squares labeled "Find Someone Who...has a pet, has a hobby, has traveled out of state" and much more. Easy to customize to your students' interests and needs. Each square includes a place for name, email, and cell phone number/contact info. Great for Study Buddies and peer tutoring!

This AVID strategy of layering focused notes is the perfect instructional routine to display for any class in any subject area! Layering is a strategy that clarifies the second and third phases of the focused note-taking process by asking students to revisit their notes multiple times, thinking critically with a different purpose in mind.

Why layering?

Each layer added to the notes is completed in a different color, so a student’s interactions are visible to the instructor and to the student. This not only allows the instructor to assess the quality of the student’s thinking and interaction with the content, but it also solidifies learning about the process and the content itself. Additionally, the use of color enhances retention for visual learners.

Instructional Goals

Students will:

• Add layers of thinking to their notes to process and connect their thinking.

• Use colors to show their repeated interactions with their notes.

Materials needed

If taking notes on paper, students will need a variety of colored pens, colored pencils, highlighters, and markers to use for the note-taking layers.

Directions

• Provide time for students to complete each layer by adding to their notes with a different color.
• Work on one layer at a time. Consider whether developing learners need more structure or fewer components to add during each layering session, compared with more experienced note-takers.
• Have students keep a key to indicate what color is used for each layer (they can make their own key or use the example.)

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Unlocking Logic: 20 Engaging Puzzles for Grades 5–8 is a fun and challenging collection of brain teasers designed to boost critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in middle school students. This ebook features 20 diverse puzzles, including number patterns, riddles, code-breaking, magic squares, logic grids, spatial reasoning, and more. Each puzzle is crafted to spark curiosity and encourage creative thinking, making it perfect for classroom use, homework, enrichment, or early finishers.

The puzzles vary in difficulty and style to engage a wide range of learners and support flexible use across grades 5–8. Students are encouraged to work individually or in pairs, explore multiple strategies, and build resilience through thoughtful problem-solving. A full answer key is provided to support self-checking and guided discussion.

Whether you're a teacher looking to inspire your class or a parent wanting to support logical thinking at home, this ebook is the perfect companion for building sharp minds—one puzzle at a time!

Looking for a way to boost critical thinking, writing skills, and pure engagement? This "Mystery of the Missing Report" activity is your secret weapon!
Here's the scoop: Students become detectives tasked with completing a critical report – but there's a twist! The report details on their own teacher have gone missing, and it's up to them to fill in the blanks based on their observations. But it doesn't stop there! They then craft a one-page report for law enforcement, putting their detective skills to the test.
Benefits for Students:

• Sharpen Critical Thinking: Analyze details, draw conclusions, and think like a true investigator.
• Master Observation Skills: Pay close attention to your surroundings and hone your ability to pick up on subtle clues.
• Writing Powerhouse: Practice crafting clear, concise, and informative reports – a valuable skill for any academic or professional setting.
• Accountability & Responsibility: Learn the importance of accuracy and detail in conveying information.
• Engagement Extravaganza! This creative activity turns writing into a thrilling adventure, keeping students focused and wanting more.

Bonus for Teachers:
This activity is a fantastic tool for keeping students on their toes during your absence. It provides a structured and engaging way for them to utilize class time productively.
Ready to unleash the inner detective in your students? Grab this exciting writing activity and watch their critical thinking and writing skills soar.

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This engaging activity ignites student curiosity by challenging them to match inspiring quotes to iconic African American figures.
Boost Learning & Celebrate History:

• Match the Message: Students delve into the wisdom of influential leaders, fostering critical thinking and comprehension.
• Unveiling Legacies: Explore the profound contributions of civil rights activists, cultural pioneers, and more, revealing the impact Black leaders have had on shaping history.
• Fun Meets Facts: The interactive format makes learning enjoyable, keeping students engaged while absorbing historical knowledge.

Empowering Educators & Students:

• Ready-to-Use Resource: This downloadable worksheet equips teachers with a captivating activity that complements Black History Month curriculum.
• Perfect for All Learners: The accessible format caters to a variety of learning styles, ensuring an inclusive and enriching experience for all students.
• Spark Curiosity: Ignite a passion for Black history, inspiring students to delve deeper into the achievements of these remarkable individuals.

Celebrate Black History Month in a way that's both informative and engaging. Download our worksheet today!

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Add a touch of holiday excitement to your classroom with this activity- Christmas Mystery Game! Ideal for use in homeroom, classroom parties, or as a fun brain-boosting break, this game will have students working together to solve clues and uncover the mystery.

Ready-to-Use Ready-to-Print / Printable Black and White Worksheet

What’s Included:

• Christmas Mystery PDF: A festive logic puzzle game that challenges students to think critically and collaborate to solve the mystery.
• Answer Key

Bring holiday magic to your classroom with this Christmas Mystery Game! Download now and watch your students immerse themselves in this joyful, brain-teasing activity!

Can be used in any grade level and any subject, especially math for cryptography lesson, encrypting, decrypting messages.

OTHER CHRISTMAS CLASSROOM GAMES:

• Math Escape Room
• It's a Match (like Spot It / Dobble)
• Christmas Mystery: Crack the Code Worksheet
• Memory Game
• This or That
• OOPS Taboo-Like Game

Copyright © OOPS! Math is Fun [2024]. All rights reserved. This digital product is the sole creation of OOPS! Math is Fun and is intended for personal use by a single individual only. Redistribution, posting online, resale, or sharing of this product, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from OOPS! Math is Fun. Any unauthorized use or distribution may result in legal action.

Equip adolescents, teens, and adults with essential internet safety skills using our specialized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program, now available on TeachShare. Our Internet Safety ABA Program is meticulously crafted to enhance digital literacy and promote safe online behaviors through structured interventions and interactive learning materials.

What's Included:

1. Program Implementation Sheet: Seamlessly integrate the program into your curriculum or therapy sessions with our comprehensive implementation guide. Follow step-by-step instructions for effective program delivery and maximize learning outcomes.
2. Data Collection Target Sheet: Track progress and measure skill acquisition with our customizable data collection sheet. Capture learner responses and behavior changes related to internet safety, allowing for personalized interventions and goal setting.
3. List of Potential Targets/Scenarios: Explore a curated list of potential internet safety targets and scenarios, providing a practical framework for teaching and reinforcing safe online practices.
4. Visual Review Tool: Enhance comprehension and retention with our visual review tool, designed to facilitate discussions and reinforce key concepts related to internet safety.

Empower learners to navigate the digital landscape confidently and responsibly with our Internet Safety ABA Program. Equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves online and make informed decisions in the digital age. Download today and promote a safer and more secure online experience for all!

Get ready to embark on an exciting educational journey this Black History Month with a variety of engaging activities! These activities have been carefully designed to make learning about black history fun and interactive for students.

Challenge your word skills with "How many words can you find?" activity, where you'll uncover hidden words related to black history. Step into the shoes of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a unique writing activity, where you can have a virtual conversation with this influential leader. Test your knowledge with Black History Month Trivia, complete with an answer key for self-assessment.

Enhance your language skills by putting Black History Month words in alphabetical order. Explore the lives of inspiring African American leaders by writing their captivating biographies. Unleash your creativity by designing your own Black History Month T-shirt through a drawing activity.

Experience empathy by taking a walk in an African American leader's shoes through a thought-provoking writing activity. Finally, dream big and express your own aspirations in the "I have a dream" writing activity.

With these activities, students will not only learn about the significant contributions of African Americans throughout history but will also develop vital skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and empathy. Join us in celebrating Black History Month and let the learning begin! black history fun and interactive for students.

Activities included 

Black History Month- How many words can you find

Writing activity-Conversation with Martin Luther King, Jr.

Alphabetical order-Black History Month words 

Black History month Trivia with answer key

Writing Activity- Biography of an African American Leader

Drawing Activity- Design a Black History Month T-shirt

Writing Activity- Take a walk in an African American Leader’s shoes

Celebrate Memorial Day with a Fun & Educational Twist!

Engage students this Memorial Day with our striped word search puzzle! Packed with 15+ hidden words about remembrance, honor, and patriotism, it's a perfect way to learn while having fun.

This downloadable puzzle is ideal for classrooms, home activities, or early finishers. It sparks curiosity, reinforces vocabulary, and helps students reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Print, solve, and honor our heroes! Download your Memorial Day Word Search Puzzle today! #MemorialDay #WordSearch #LearningFun

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Looking for an engaging activity that ignites imagination, boosts organization skills, and gets students excited? Look no further than "Crafting the Best Day Ever!" This dynamic blend of writing, planning, and visual arts is ideal for students of all ages.

Here's how it benefits students:

• Sparks Creativity: Dreaming of scaling Mount Everest or swimming with dolphins? This activity encourages students to think outside the box and envision their ideal day, whether fantastical or realistic.
• Sharpens Planning Skills: Turning dreams into reality requires a plan! Students will map out their perfect day, strategically scheduling activities to make it truly unforgettable.
• Boosts Organization: Creating a detailed schedule strengthens organizational skills, a valuable asset for school life and beyond.
• Encourages Reflection: Students will reflect on what makes a day perfect for them, fostering self-awareness and goal-setting.
• Unleashes Artistic Expression: The activity culminates in students drawing their ideal day, bringing their vision to life.
• Perfect for Any Time: "Crafting the Best Day Ever!" is a fantastic way to kick-off a new semester or wrap up the year on a high note.

Elevate your classroom with this interactive activity that will have students fired up and ready to take charge of their experiences!

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Boost Spelling & Math Skills Simultaneously: The Fun & Effective Way!

Looking for an engaging way to help your child conquer spelling bees and master math facts? Look no further than "Scrabble Spelling" worksheets - the innovative solution that makes learning a blast!

Here's how "Scrabble Spelling" enhances your child's educational journey:

• Double the Challenge, Double the Fun: "Scrabble Spelling" integrates spelling and math seamlessly, keeping your child engaged and motivated. Choose between "Scrabble Spelling and Adding" or "Scrabble Spelling and Multiplying" to cater to your child's learning needs.
• Level Up Spelling Prowess: These worksheets incorporate high-value Scrabble tiles, encouraging strategic word building and reinforcing proper spelling.
• Math Whiz in the Making: As your child strives for high word scores, they'll engage in mental math calculations, strengthening their number sense and mathematical fluency.
• Sharpen Problem-Solving Skills: "Scrabble Spelling" fosters critical thinking as your child strategizes to maximize points, developing valuable problem-solving abilities.
• Build Connections, Retain Knowledge: The unique blend of spelling and math helps your child recognize patterns and make connections between the two subjects, solidifying learning in both areas.
• Spark a Love for Learning: Forget boring drills! "Scrabble Spelling" injects excitement into practice, transforming learning into an interactive adventure that motivates your child to excel.

Don't wait! Make learning a joyful experience with "Scrabble Spelling" worksheets. Watch your child's confidence soar as they conquer spelling challenges and master math concepts with this engaging and effective approach!

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Unleash Your Inner Word Wizard with Word Boggle: Boost Vocabulary & Brainpower (It's Fun Too!)

Supercharge your brain with Word Boggle, the addictive word game that challenges you to find hidden treasures – words! Unearth a captivating world of vocabulary building and sharpen your cognitive skills, all while having a blast.

Here's how Word Boggle benefits students:

• Vocabulary Powerhouse: Discover new words and their meanings as you hunt through the letter grid.
• Brain Boot Camp: Sharpen your cognitive skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning to maximize your score.
• Spelling Champ: Hone your spelling skills by forming words correctly. Identify common letter combinations and put them to the test.
• Learning that Sticks: The engaging gameplay helps memorize new words and their usage in a fun and interactive way.
• Perfect for Everyone: Whether you're a solo player seeking a brain break or want to challenge friends in a thrilling word-hunting showdown, Word Boggle caters to all.

Ready to unleash your inner word wizard? Grab your friends, family, or fly solo and embark on a captivating word-hunting adventure with Word Boggle. It's the perfect educational activity that's disguised as tons of fun!

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Inspiredbymlg@outlook.com

Enhance literacy with our Interactive Guided Reading Worksheets! Elevate reading proficiency through captivating activities designed to engage learners. Our innovative approach promotes comprehension, vocabulary expansion, and critical thinking. Explore themed worksheets tailored to various reading levels, ensuring an enjoyable learning journey for all. Dive into interactive exercises that encourage active participation and skill development. From decoding strategies to story analysis, our resources foster a love for reading while honing essential skills. Perfect for educators, parents, and students alike, our guided worksheets offer a fun and effective way to boost reading skills. Discover a comprehensive tool to enrich reading experiences and empower learners. Transform reading sessions into dynamic adventures with our Interactive Guided Reading Worksheets!

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How does media effect one's self esteem?

This package contains 6 lessons and a culminating task that will address this topic.

The package is meant to be taught over at least five lessons. With discussion, each page should easily fill a 45- to 60-minute lesson block.

Lessons include:

- definitions and discussion

- Influence of the Media

- self esteem and music videos

- what happens when a "beauty" company helps people see their beauty?

- evolution of an advertisement (print media/photoshopping)

- overcoming stereotypes and negative comments

- Think about how awesome you are

- Hand of friendship (culminating task)

There is currently no final assessment piece included in this package.

Each lesson, except the last, should be started with a gratitude journal page. The idea behind this it to help students see that they have a lot to be grateful for, regardless of what the media may portray to them. The journal pages shouldn’t take anymore than 5 minutes, max. For photo copying purposes, the journal page is placed before the worksheet, for any given lesson.

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This activity should accompany Ellen Raskin's book The Westing Game. Check your students' reading comprehension by assigning them one of 16 character cards. Students will ask each other questions in order to determine the character card that five of their classmates have. Students will have to know the characters in the book in order to ask and answer useful questions. This activity allows students to get up and moving! The resource includes a worksheet for students to complete as they ask questions along with a reflection once the activity is complete. There is a slide presentation with instructions and 16 character cards to print, cut, and hand out to students.