Here are six thinking skills and some questions you might ask:

1. Knowledge. Kids need to remember what they’ve learned. Use words like what, when, where, how many, and tell.

“What’s the capital of Peru?”

2. Comprehension. This skill involves understanding the overall concept.

“How does a caterpillar become a butterfly?”

3. Application. Your child needs to apply what she already knows. Words like show, apply, solve, or demonstrate can help your child.

“Demonstrate how to calculate the area of a room.”

4. Analysis. This skill involves breaking down information into smaller parts. Use words like compare, contrast, classify, and arrange.

“Compare a cat and a cow. How are they alike?”

5. Synthesis. This involves combining knowledge from several areas into a new pattern. Use phrases like invent, what if, or combine.

“What if dinosaurs were alive today?”

6. Evaluation. Sometimes there is no right or wrong answer. Words like decide, explain, or compare can help children evaluate.

“Explain why you think Abraham Lincoln was our best president.”

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