Which of the following activities is most likely to build critical thinking skills for fifth-grade social studies students researching nations of the world?

Creating a brochure to entice tourists to visit the nation is the activity that most effectively builds critical thinking skills among fifth-grade social studies students. This task requires students to engage in several higher-order thinking processes. They need to synthesize information about the country’s culture, geography, history, and attractions, while also considering the target audience for the brochure.

In doing so, students must evaluate what aspects of the nation are most appealing and relevant to tourists, which requires them to weigh the importance of different information and articulate it in a persuasive manner. Additionally, they must develop creative solutions to present the information attractively, enhancing skills such as communication, marketing, and design thinking.

Engaging in this kind of comprehensive, integrative activity encourages students to think critically about the material they have researched, applying their knowledge in practical ways that extend beyond simple recall or memorization. This contrasts with the other options, which tend to focus on lower levels of thinking and comprehension.