River East Transcona Teachers Lead Initiative to Strengthen Critical Thinking in ELA Classrooms
Teachers in the River East Transcona School Division are working together to help students become stronger critical thinkers in English Language Arts. Their goal is to prepare students to make informed decisions, solve problems, evaluate information, communicate effectively, and adapt in a world full of constant change and abundant information.
The two-year project brings together 22 teachers from Grades 2 to 8 who meet regularly to explore how best to support students in developing these skills. The sessions are facilitated by divisional consultants, Sorel Gydé, Middle Years and Senior Years, and Georgette Rahman, Early Years.
This initiative aligns closely with the Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning’s Framework for Learning, which identifies critical thinking as one of the six global competencies. It also connects directly to the provincial English Language Arts curriculum, where fostering critical and creative thinking is a central goal.
“In the first year of this learning journey, the teachers came together to define what critical thinking means in their classrooms,” said Rahman. “Now, their focus has shifted to how educators can effectively teach students to think critically and apply these skills in both their work and discussions. They are also building a collection of teaching tools and strategies to support lesson planning and classroom activities.”
Some of the big questions being explored include:
- What is critical thinking?
- How do we strengthen our students’ critical thinking skills?
- How do we assess their progress and guide their next steps?
One of the go-to resources has been the Manitoba Framework for Learning website, which offers guidance and ideas for teaching and assessing critical thinking. As the site is relatively new, teachers are taking time to study it in depth.
“I’ve really appreciated the Critical Thinking group this year. It’s been great to come together and talk about what critical thinking is, how we teach it, and how it connects to different subjects,” said Carlee Quiring, a Grade 4/5 teacher.
“The activities we’re doing are directly tied to our teaching, and we can take them back to our classrooms and use them right away.”
This collaborative effort reflects the division’s commitment to helping students become thoughtful, curious, and capable learners—skills that will serve them well in school and beyond.
