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January 13, 2026

Fifth Graders Build Critical Thinking Skills Through Lively Homework Debate

Ms. Pikowsky’s fifth graders at Birch recently shared ideas and supported their claims with clear reasons and evidence as they explored debatable topics, starting with homework.

 

Students sit in a circle on a blue rug, watching a screen.    A group of children sit in a circle on a blue rug, engaged in a classroom activity.   A group of students sits in a circle on a blue rug, working on papers.    Students sit in a circle on the floor, watching a screen in a classroom.   Students sit in a circle on a blue rug, looking at their notebooks in a classroom.