SECOND STEP Extension Activities for Middle School
Critical-Thinking Skills Activity
Now that you know employers want people who can think critically and solve problems, how can you help students learn these skills? Try using this activity, which features the SECOND STEP middle school Action Steps.
Have students work in groups to use the first four Action Steps (A–D) to analyze and develop a solution for a problem found in current events or in the workplace. The problem could be international, national, local, or one created for a fictitious workplace.
- Have students determine the problem, identify the perspectives of those involved, and come up with a neutral problem statement.
- Next, have them generate multiple options for solving the problem or for why the problem exists.
- Finally, have them consider each option and decide on the best one. Have each group present the analysis of the problem to the class.
SECOND STEP Middle School Action Steps
A: Analyze the situation.
- What is the problem?
- How do I feel?
- What do I need or want?
- Do I need more information?
B: Brainstorm options.
C: Consider each option.
- What might happen if I do this?
- Is it safe?
- How might people feel about it?
- Is it ethical?
D: Decide on and Do the best option.
E: Evaluate if it works.
If necessary
F: Figure out another way.
