An Analytical Study of Critical Thinking Skills in Geography Textbooks for the Higher Elementary Stage in Jordan

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the critical thinking skills included in the higher elementary stage geography textbooks in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, The researchers used descriptive analytical approach - the method of content analysis, and adopted units of analysis which includes (questions, activities), and the study sample and its society consisted of geography textbooks for the higher elementary stage. To achieve the research aims, A critical thinking skills instrument was designed and it consisted of five domains: interpretation, conclusion, analysis, identification of assumptions, and evaluation including (16) sub-skills distributed in the five areas. The study found that the sum of the critical thinking skills (368) repetitively, and the skill of interpretation was first, followed by the skill of conclusion in the second place, The skill of analysis came third,. The skills of recognizing assumptions and the skill of evaluation were repeated in the last place .The study recommended that attention should be paid to including critical thinking skills in geography textbooks, especially less frequent skills.