How would you answer this test question? From a 1st grade Common Core test.

[Sancho]

437. Perspicacity is one descriptor, but not a theory based on observation, research, or measurement.

Some theories of critical thinking, creating thinking, problem solving, and intelligence have been studied for decades. All of them have their own vocabulary and definitions. For example, you may have heard of one of the older descriptions called Bloom's Taxonomy. Another is the Torrance theory of creating thinking (originally, elaboration, flexibility, and fluency). At any rate, there are a number of excellent theories that describe what we see in people, ways to promote "thinking" in people, materials to teach with, and methods to use in promoting thinking.

You simply need to look at some of them, see if any of them suit your target for a particular situation and try it. A few test publishers are aware of these theories and concepts, and a few of them are built into curriculums (like Common Core), but generally they are not used in high stakes testing to any great degree.

Teachers need know what content materials AND what thinking skills are to be tested on high stakes tests. Otherwise, the teachers won't teach it and the students won't practice it. Finally, if kids are not developmentally ready, even the best teacher and materials won't overcome maturity.