In today’s world, critical thinking is one of the most important skills we can help students develop. It allows them to navigate information, form well-rounded opinions, and communicate effectively. One of the best ways to foster this skill in the classroom is through discussions that challenge students to analyze real-world issues, consider multiple perspectives, and build logical arguments.

The Juice uses current events, news articles, and nonfiction texts to teach informational literacy to students. It provides foundational content for teachers to support critical thinking in their students with classroom discussions.

By incorporating these articles into lessons, teachers give students the tools they need to

• Think deeply
• Express their opinions clearly
• Engage meaningfully with the world

In this blog, we’ll explore how The Juice’s current events for students promote critical thinking through better classroom discussions. We’ll also provide critical thinking examples for students and strategies you can use to bring these discussions to life.

Why do classroom discussions matter for teaching critical thinking?

Classroom discussions are an essential part of any critical thinking curriculum. They allow students to

• Share ideas
• Challenge each other’s viewpoints
• Develop reasoning skills
• Build a collaborative environment

The benefits are clear: 

Students who regularly engage in discussions tend to have stronger problem-solving abilities, better communication skills, and greater confidence in expressing their thoughts.

When you incorporate real-world informational texts like The Juice’s current events articles into discussions, students have the chance to apply critical thinking characteristics to topics that matter. Students learn to

• Analyze events
• Question assumptions
• Connect what they learn to larger societal systems

What are the benefits of classroom discussions?

• Promotes Engagement: Students are more engaged when they can voice their opinions on current events for students and real-world topics.
• Encourages Multiple Perspectives: Discussing current events helps students consider different viewpoints and cultural contexts.
• Develops Reasoning Skills: Students learn to back up their opinions with evidence, improving their ability to reason and argue logically.

How does The Juice support critical thinking and classroom discussions?

Juice articles are specifically designed to make classroom discussions more effective by providing students with sources and discussion prompts that are based on real-world events and can be used to support any critical thinking activity. 

Here’s how The Juice helps teachers teach informational literacy, support critical thinking education, and manage classroom discussions at the same time.

Current events offer diverse viewpoints

The Juice’s news articles for students cover a wide range of perspectives on important issues, allowing students to see multiple sides of a debate. This is essential for promoting critical thinking because it encourages students to look beyond their own biases and consider how others might see the world.

• Critical Thinking Benefits: By exposing students to different viewpoints, they learn to analyze arguments and assess the validity of various perspectives — key components of critical thinking exercises.
• Example: A classroom discussion on climate change might start with an article from The Juice that presents both the scientific consensus and the economic concerns of industries affected by environmental regulations.

Foster social-emotional skills with The Juice.

Background information gives context to build informed opinions

Effective critical thinking depends on a deep understanding of the topics being discussed. The Juice provides students with the essential background information they need to participate in discussions with confidence.

The Juice’s current events articles include “Extra Juices,” which offer background information that provides context for the news.

• Critical Thinking Examples for Students: When discussing current events, students can use the detailed background provided in the Extra Juices to form well-informed opinions rather than relying on limited information, assumptions, or emotions.
• Critical Thinking Framework: This approach teaches students to seek out and use accurate information when building their arguments — a core aspect of critical thinking practice.

Current events for students promote information literacy

The Juice’s information literacy platform teaches students how to analyze and evaluate the credibility of sources. This skill is crucial for any critical thinking curriculum as it ensures that students can distinguish between reliable and unreliable information in a media-saturated world.

• Informational Literacy: By reading articles from trusted sources, students develop the ability to assess the quality of information, a key characteristic of critical thinking.

Vocabulary development helps students express their opinions

Strong critical thinking requires students to articulate their ideas clearly, and The Juice helps by enhancing their vocabulary. The Juice’s current events articles introduce students to new vocabulary words with built-in scaffolds, giving them the language they need to engage in meaningful discussions.

• Vocabulary Development: As students encounter new words in nonfiction texts with our built-in vocabulary supports, they improve their ability to express complex ideas — a critical aspect of critical thinking exercises.

Accessible nonfiction texts for shared classroom reading

One of the most powerful features of The Juice is its ability to deliver the same article at multiple reading levels, allowing all students to participate in discussions, regardless of their reading ability. This promotes equity in the classroom, ensuring every student has the same information to build their opinions on for a classroom discussion.

• Critical Thinking Framework: By reading the same content, students engage in discussions with a shared understanding, which encourages more focused and productive conversations.
• Critical Thinking Practice: This approach allows students of all abilities to practice critical thinking through shared experiences.

How to use The Juice for classroom discussions

Here are some practical ways you can use The Juice to enhance classroom discussions and foster critical thinking:

Start with a question

Begin by asking an open-ended question based on a current events article. This could be something like, “How do you think this event will impact our community?” or “What are the potential consequences of this policy?”

Use think-pair-share

After reading the nonfiction article, have students think about their responses individually, discuss them with a partner, and then share their thoughts with the class. This gives them time to develop their ideas before sharing.

Encourage evidence-based arguments

Remind students to back up their opinions with evidence from the news article. This reinforces the importance of using accurate information when forming opinions — one of the key critical thinking characteristics.

Take on another point of view

Assign students different perspectives from the article and have them argue their case. This is a great way to promote empathy and understanding while encouraging critical thinking.

Strengthening student’s critical thinking with The Juice

By using The Juice’s current events for students, teachers can support the development of critical thinking characteristics through engaging discussions based on real-world news. The Juice empowers students to think deeply, analyze multiple perspectives, and express their ideas clearly. 

With features like differentiated reading levels, detailed background information, and diverse viewpoints, The Juice makes it easier than ever to incorporate critical thinking practice into your classroom.

Ready to start fostering better discussions and developing critical thinkers in your classroom? Incorporate The Juice today and see the difference it makes!

With these strategies and resources, your students will develop the skills they need to think critically about the world, express themselves clearly, and participate meaningfully in conversations that matter