Which question would effectively promote higher-order thinking after reading a memoir in a 6th-grade language arts class?

Choosing the question about what a student might see if they followed Steinbeck's route today promotes higher-order thinking because it encourages students to engage in analysis and application. This question requires students to think critically about the context of the memoir, connect it to contemporary experiences, and synthesize their understanding of both the text and the real world.

By considering what they would see on a modern journey following Steinbeck's path, students must reflect on historical and geographical factors, interpret the significance of the memoir's themes, and apply knowledge from various disciplines, such as history and geography, to create a comprehensive response. This kind of question fosters creativity and makes connections beyond the text, which is essential for deep understanding and critical thinking skills.

Moreover, it allows students to explore the implications of the memoir in a broader sense, seeing how literature and personal narratives can shape our understanding of the present. This level of engagement is what makes the question particularly effective for promoting higher-order thinking.