Critical Thinking Activities for Students in the Classroom

As a teacher, one of my most important goals is to help students think critically about the world. Today our students are constantly bombarded with information—much of it misleading or incomplete, so it’s crucial to equip them with the tools to question, analyze, and form their own conclusions. As a language teacher, I always aim to connect language teaching with soft skills development. I’ve introduced a series of critical thinking activities for students in the classroom, and the results have been inspiring. Here’s a look at six practical activities that got my students thinking—and questioning—like never before. 

We kicked off the critical thinking journey with real-world articles. Students were tasked with analyzing opinion pieces, advertisements, and news reports to find underlying messages and uncover how they attempt to shape opinions.

Practical Activity Suggestion:
Use a newspaper or internet portal frequently associated with a political party or influential individual (I chose one from another country). Choose an article criticizing another politician or country, and ask students to identify keywords that suggest whether the piece supports or opposes the governing party. This exercise encourages them to think critically about bias and perspective. 

My students identified subtle word choices and framing that pushed readers toward a specific viewpoint. The “aha!” moments were incredible, and the discussions that followed were passionate and insightful. They loved uncovering hidden agendas and felt empowered to approach information with a more critical eye.

Next, we listened to an interview that presented only one side of a controversial topic. Students were then tasked with investigating the opposing side by finding reliable sources, reading counterarguments, and forming a more balanced understanding of the issue. 

The class was initially surprised at how convincing one-sided arguments can be. However, as they dug deeper, they began to see the bigger picture. Their ability to question the validity of information and demand evidence grew stronger with each activity.

Practical Activity Suggestion: 
Take a famous trial, such as Mark Zuckerberg’s congressional hearings, and show students clips that only present one side. Ask them to research the other side and present findings that bring balance to the story. 

In this activity, we explored fake emails and text messages to teach students about manipulation in communication. Together, we created convincing phishing emails and scam texts. The goal was to analyze the tactics used to deceive and discuss why people fall for them. 

Practical Activity Suggestion:
Use tools like ifaketextmessage.com to create realistic fake messages. Encourage students to design their own and analyze why these tactics might succeed. 

The students were highly engaged, especially when creating their own “scams.” They quickly learned to spot red flags like urgency, spelling mistakes, and unrealistic offers. It was a fun way to build critical thinking skills that directly apply to their digital lives. 

Introducing deepfake videos was a game-changer. We watched a few examples and discussed how they could be used to spread misinformation. Students were shocked by the realism and began to question how they can trust what they see online. 

Practical Activity Suggestion:
Find a deepfake video online (there are many educational examples available) and show it to your students. Ask them to identify visual or contextual clues that might indicate the video is fake. 

One group even experimented with free tools to create simple deepfake content. This hands-on activity made them even more aware of how easily technology can be used to distort reality and the importance of verifying sources.

Nothing captures students’ attention like a gripping true story. We chose a well-documented case from a Netflix documentary, exploring all sides of the situation. Students analyzed evidence, discussed motives, and debated the outcome of the trial. 

The activity encouraged them to think critically about bias, the reliability of evidence, and how perspectives can influence judgments. Students were so engaged that several went home to watch the documentary themselves.

We ended our series with a look at social media influencers and the power they hold. Students analyzed influencer content to identify paid promotions and subtle marketing techniques. 

Practical Activity Suggestion:
Choose a popular influencer from your country who promotes a wide variety of products without specialization. Ask students to identify promotional content and discuss how this affects consumer behavior and trustworthiness. 

The turning point came when we discussed how influencers shape opinions, sometimes without viewers realizing it. Students began questioning their own habits, from purchasing decisions to following trends. The conversations were eye-opening and led to a deeper understanding of media literacy. 

Each of these critical thinking activities for students in the classroom brought incredible energy and insights. The students loved tackling real-world issues and appreciated the opportunity to question things they had previously taken for granted. Their ability to think independently and challenge information grew stronger with every activity. 

As educators, it’s our job to help students navigate a complex world filled with misinformation. These activities have proven that critical thinking can be both engaging and transformative, equipping students with skills they’ll use for a lifetime. 

Try these critical thinking activities in your classroom! Help your students analyze, question, and develop the skills they need to navigate today’s information-rich world. 

Join one of our courses to explore how to develop critical thinking in the classroom through a series of thought-provoking, engaging, and fun activities designed to deeply tackle these essential skills.