Flexible, reusable critical thinking activities that work across any subject?

These 5 open-ended critical thinking routines help students explore ideas, question assumptions, and develop deeper thinking skills — without requiring additional prep or specific content knowledge.

Designed for Stage 2 and Stage 3, these thinking routines can be reused across multiple subjects, topics, and learning contexts, making them ideal for enrichment, extension, inquiry, and early finisher tasks.

What's Included

✔ 5 open-ended reusable critical thinking routines

✔ Student thinking space pages

✔ Optional starter prompts

✔ Teacher guidance and implementation ideas

✔ Flexible print-and-digital format

✔ Google Slides™ digital version

✔ Curriculum-aligned thinking skills (US, AU, UK)

The 5 Critical Thinking Routines

Students explore thinking through:

• Reverse the Rule — Counterfactual Thinking

• Hidden Impact — Systems Thinking

• One Small Change — Cause & Effect Thinking

• Compare the Unlikely — Analogical Thinking

• Improve It — Design Thinking

Each routine encourages students to:

• Explore multiple perspectives
• Consider consequences
• Make connections
• Redesign ideas
• Develop creative solutions

Why Teachers Love These Routines

✔ No prep required

✔ Reusable across subjects

✔ Works for mixed-ability classrooms

✔ Supports enrichment and extension

✔ Encourages student voice and creativity

✔ Flexible for independent or group use

Perfect For

• Enrichment & extension

• Gifted & high-potential learners

• Early finisher tasks

• Inquiry learning

• Critical thinking lessons

• Small-group discussion

• Project-based learning

• Thinking warm-ups

Flexible Across Subjects

Use these routines in:

• English

• Science

• Mathematics

• Humanities

• Design & Technology

• Inquiry Projects

• Genius Hour

Because the prompts are open-ended and content-flexible, students can apply them to any topic.

Grades

Years 3-8

Format

✔ Print-friendly PDF

✔ Google Slides™ Digital Version

✔ Student-ready pages

✔ Flexible use across lessons

Build Deeper Thinking

These MindStretch Thinking Routines help students move beyond simple answers and develop:

• Critical thinking

• Creative thinking

• Reasoning skills

• Problem-solving

• Flexible thinking

Perfect as a starter pack for building a classroom culture of deeper thinking.

Bring Thinking to Life

These activities pair perfectly with our Thinking Scenarios, where students apply their skills in engaging, real-world challenges.

For quick daily practice, explore our Mini Thinking Tasks and Task Cards.

Build a complete thinking classroom with consistent practice + application.