Criticical Thinking
Stopping, thinking, and making a smart choice based on the situation is the definition of this.
Critical thinking
Tasks nobody has to tell you to do, like keeping your workspace clean and staying off your phone.
“Always” responsibilities
Hints in your environment that tell you what needs attention.
Context clues
Noticing what’s happening around you and using it to decide the most appropriate action.
Reading the Room
Your pen runs out of ink. Is that a small, medium, or big problem?
Small. Handle it yourself.
You notice the trash is full and empty it without being told. Is that independent thinking or waiting to be told?
Independent Thinking
Answering phones and greeting visitors are examples of this kind of task.
Job-specific tasks
You notice an iPad battery is at 10%. What task does this clue point to?
Charge the iPad
You don’t understand a task. Who should you go to?
Your supervisor or lead
Name one thing that is NOT a problem at work
Any of these: something you don’t like, waiting briefly, being told “not yet,” redoing a task, a small mistake you can fix
Name 2 reasons critical thinking matters at work.
Any 2 of these: solves problems, shows independence, builds trust with supervisors, prevents mistakes, helps you adapt, keeps work flowing
An employee greets a visitor with “Hey, what’s up?” Does this meet the expectation, need clarification, or NOT meet it?
Does not meet the expectation. A professional greeting would be something like “Hi, welcome! How can I help you?”
There are crumbs on the table from the previous group. What task does this clue point to?
Wipe or clean the table
A coworker drops a stack of papers. Should you step in, check first, or hold back?
Step in and help them pick up
You smell smoke in the break room. What size is the problem, and who do you get?
Big. Get a supervisor right away.
A friend texts “Wow… okay.” Deciding they must be mad at you is a ____, not a fact.
An assumption
Name 2 places you can find out what a job expects of you.
Any 2 of these: the job description or posting, posted expectations or schedules, the task list, the supervisor
Name 2 things you should check after finishing opening tasks.
Any 2 of these: technology charged or put away, supplies restocked (sanitizer, tissues), games and fidgets organized, chairs aligned, today’s lesson posted and materials ready
Your supervisor is talking with a parent and looks focused, and you have a question. What’s the best next step?
Don’t interrupt. Check the task list or keep working, then ask when they’re free.
Name 2 things that make a problem “big.”
Any 2 of these: it affects safety, stops work completely, involves someone else’s well-being, needs a supervisor
Your supervisor is busy and you’ve finished your task. What’s the professional choice instead of waiting?
Check the task list, start the next task, then update the supervisor
Name one expectation that’s the same at home, in the community, AND at work
Accept any reasonable answer, for example polite language, respecting shared spaces, following safety rules, being on time
What does “downtime” tell you about expectations?
It’s time to look around and find the next task (check the list, restock, organize), not sit and wait
Name all 3 “Reading the Room” questions you ask yourself.
What’s happening around me? Who is available or appropriate to ask? Should I step in, wait, or do something else?
Finish this definition: “A problem is something that gets in the way of…”
…completing a task, staying safe, or helping others