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Positive and Negative Factors

This support material is incorporated into critical challenges at grades 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11, however, it can be adapted for use at all grade levels.

The Positive and Negative Factors charts help students recognize or anticipate the negative and positive implications of certain conditions or events. The following documents can be adapted and re-saved for your needs.

Assessing Positive and Negative Factors 
An assessment rubric is available for these charts.

Comparing Positive and Negative Features 
This chart helps students collect information on the strengths and shortcomings of two or more situations. For instance, when asked to compare the quality of life of two children, students identify and record aspects of each child's life that are positive, i.e., reflect desirable conditions, and negative; i.e., reflect undesirable conditions. To use this chart, students:

• label each situation/option in the left-hand column
• record positive features or desirable conditions for each situation
• record negative features or undesirable conditions for each situation.

Looking for Implications 
This chart helps students analyze a number of events and anticipate the positive and negative consequences for two or more groups. For example, when examining potential responses to globalizing factors, students might consider the positive and negative implications for Canada and for other countries of events or policies, such as nationalizing resources or subsidizing industries. To use this chart, students:

• record the events to be considered in the left-hand column
• record the groups to be considered at the top of the remaining columns
• record positive consequences for each group
• record negative consequences for each group.

Credits

Adapted from Critical Challenges Across the Curriculum series. Permission granted by The Critical Thinking Consortium for use by Alberta teachers.