Good Thinking - Softcover

Palmer, Erik

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1625310641 ISBN 13: 9781625310644

Publisher: Routledge, 2016

Synopsis

A large part of our everyday communication involves argumentation and reasoning—for example, when we want to persuade others, make good purchasing decisions, or analyze the messages we receive from advertisers and politicians. But how well do we prepare students for these tasks? Can they critically evaluate a speaker’s point of view? Understand rhetorical devices? Apply logic? Build an effective argument, whether written or spoken?
In his new book, Good Thinking, Erik Palmer shows teachers of all subject matters how to transform the activities they already use into openings for improving student thinking. Building on his previous work in Well Spoken (Stenhouse, 2011) and Digitally Speaking (Stenhouse, 2014), he reveals how all students, not just those in advanced classes, can begin developing sophisticated reasoning skills that will improve their oral and written communications.
Blending theory with practice, Palmer shares a wide range of classroom-tested lessons, including ways to understand argument in paintings and images, address ad hominem attacks using a traveling debate, create a class comedy club, write syllogisms, analyze character and plot development, and teach logic through a class Booger Patrol. He explains complex concepts in simple, practical language that gives teachers a deft understanding of the principles of good arguments, proper use of evidence, persuasive techniques, and rhetorical tricks.
“Once you start looking, you’ll see arguments everywhere,” Palmer writes. “All of them are opportunities to teach good thinking.”
 

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"Teaching students to articulate reasoned opinions--getting beyond "I like it. I like it. I hate it. I hate it."--is one of the most challenging tasks any teacher faces. Erik Palmer offers practical suggestions for building the habits of mind that lead not only to rich and powerful classroom discourse but also to thoughtful and responsible citizenship."
                   Carol Jago, author & past president of the National Council of Teachers of English

About the Author:

Erik Palmer is an educational consultant from Denver, Colorado.  He is a frequent presenter at national, regional, and state conferences.  He has given keynotes and led workshops for districts across the US and schools around the world.  Palmer focuses on two topics: improving oral communication (student and adult) and updating instruction.  

He is the author of five books: Well-Spoken: Teaching Speaking to All Students (Stenhouse Publishers, 2011); Digitally Speaking: How to Improve Student Presentations with Technology (Stenhouse Publishers, 2012); Teaching the Core Skills of Listening & Speaking (ASCD, 2014); Researching in a Digital World (ASCD, 2015); and Good Thinking:Teaching Argument, Persuasion, and Reasoning (Stenhouse Publishers, 2016).

Palmer is a program consultant with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt contributing to their Collections and Journeys language arts programs.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1625310641
• ISBN 13: 9781625310644
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 152