ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the critical and creative thinking that is evident in the children's discussions about text. Analyzing their talk, the language of critical and creative thinking could be seen to be indicated through linguistic markers, though these were not always consistent. Some co-constructive moves appear to generate more creative thinking, particularly through the use of questioning or making suggestions, and some moves seem more convergent, offering explanation or rationalizing ideas proposed. Divergent thinking suggests the concept of dialogically opening an idea by posing a possibility, whereas convergent thinking suggests resolving or closing an issue, by offering, for example, an explanation that seems to offer no further possibility. While critical thinking is more convergently focused on solution-finding, creative thinking can be described as a divergent process, for example imagining or making connections, which Craft describes as 'possibility thinking', aspects of which include 'being imaginative, asking questions and playing'.
