How Reading Helps Middle School Students Build Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking skills are foundational in students’ success. Using this skill in the online world throughout middle school, as well as in the classroom, students can engage with the world around them while making responsible decisions.  

What Are Critical Thinking Skills?  

• Analyze information
• Evaluate evidence
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Make connections
• Problem solve 

Because reading occurs in the day to day of middle schoolers’ lives, students can build these critical thinking skills through history lessons where we compare perspectives, interpret themes in literature, and decipher facts from fiction on social media posts. 

How Does Reading Strengthen Critical Thinking?  

Information is plentiful and easily accessible to students. Literature is one of the best resources to engage students in critical thinking. Reading does the following:  

• how we understand multiple viewpoints
• fiction encourages empathy and feelings around the characters
• compare scenes in the book to real-life scenarios  

2. Encourages Questioning and Reflection 

• ask WHY and HOW while reading a story or article 
• inferences, predictions, and connections within text 

3. Expands Vocabulary and Thinking 

• rich vocabulary gives students a new way of thinking
• connects comprehension with analysis

4. Nonfiction Develops Analytical Skills 

• evaluate sources for bias and fact vs. fiction

Encouraging Critical Thinking 

As parents, read with your child and ask them open-ended questions along the way. Questioning them about the character and the choices they made or what they would have done in that situation gets students thinking critically. Encourage students to read all genres, including current event articles, giving them an opportunity to form opinions that can be expressed with other classmates or family members.  

Students who read consistently become stronger thinkers and have more academic success. Model for your child that reading is important for growth and not just a task in school.