ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with general information skills, decision making, and historical thinking skills before moving into two specific areas that have special importance to the social studies: map skills and economic skills. Thinking and problem-solving skills are the core purpose of social studies. In social studies, teachers help students gain logical thinking and analyzing skills in at least three ways: by modeling, through discussion, and through guided practice with feedback. Creative thinking also requires evaluative thinking as well as other abilities. Problem solving is the most essential thinking ability and is an important part of the inquiry process. Multiple perspectives of a problem require examining differing, conflicting, and opposing points of view. Problems with alternative solutions begin with a problem that has several plausible solutions, none of which can ever be absolutely identified as the single correct solution.
