Which activity is most effective in promoting higher-level thinking skills during a unit on insects?

Creating a graphic organizer to evaluate how butterflies are different from other insects is an effective activity for promoting higher-level thinking skills because it requires students to analyze, compare, and synthesize information. By crafting a graphic organizer, students actively engage with the material, constructing relationships between concepts, identifying unique characteristics, and integrating their understanding of different types of insects.

This activity encourages critical thinking as students must gather and evaluate information about various insects, assess their differences, and represent their insights visually. The process of organizing thoughts in a coherent structure can help deepen comprehension and retention of the subject matter. It also fosters creativity and personal expression in how students choose to represent their understanding, which can enhance their engagement with the topic.

In contrast, activities that focus exclusively on memorization or passive learning, such as memorizing facts or watching videos, do not require the same depth of cognitive engagement and typically do not promote higher-level thinking skills as effectively. While engaging in competitive quizzes can encourage recall and may serve as a useful review tool, they often prioritize rote memorization and may not challenge students to think deeply about the material.