With the 2020 closing of schools, libraries, playgrounds, etc children have been forced to spend a lot of time at home.This has left parents trying to juggle their own schedules to provide educational opportunities for them so that they will not fall too far behind. This book of resource materials for parents of elementary and middle school children is not intended to replace or be a substitute for the standard curriculum of the grades. It offers parents resources that promote and engage childrens thinking across various curriculum areas critical thinking tools that can serve children at whatever grade level and give them a leg up to deal with whatever they will face. This book is a valuable asset to parents and caregivers that will provide some much needed help and information..

Selma Wassermann is professor emerita in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University and holder of the University Award for Teaching Excellence.

Preface

Introduction

1. Opening Minds: Whats the Big Idea?

2. Getting Started

3. Thinking Operations: Those Higher Order Mental Tasks That Engage Minds

4. Introduction to the Thinking Activities: More Than You Wanted to Know

5. Preparing

6. Thinking Activities for Pre-and Emerging Readers

7. Thinking Activities for Middle Grade Students

8. Conclusion

Bibliography

About the Author