Overarching Critical Inquiry (OCI)

The critical thinking components of the online resources for each grade level are organized around several Overarching Critical Inquiries (OCIs). The purpose of each OCI is to cluster the teaching of many specific outcomes under a central idea. Each OCI includes a sampling of Critical Challenge activities that may be undertaken in pursuing the inquiry. The term "critical" indicates that the inquiries focus on large questions or issues that require critical judgement. The OCIs described for each grade level are intended merely to suggest the possibilities and to provide considerations for instructional planning.