Critical Thinking, Logic, and Skepticism for Children Course: Lesson 1

Lesson 1

Song[1]:

We will be singing this song as part of our opening song:

If there’s a question bothering your brain                                                                               That you think you know how to explain                                                                                You need a test                                                                                                                            Yeah, think up a test

If it’s possible to prove it wrong                                                                                            You’re going to want to know before too long                                                                    You’ll need a test                                                                                                                              

If somebody says they figured it out                                                                                         And they’re leaving any room for doubt                                                                               Come up with a test                                                                                                                  Yeah, you need a test

Are you sure that that thing is true?                                                                                           Or did someone just tell it to you?                                                                                           Come up with a test                                                                                                                      

Test it out

Find a way to show what would happen                                                                                     If you were incorrect                                                                                                                   (Test it out)

A fact is just a fantasy                                                                                                              Unless it can be checked                                                                                                                          Make a test                                                                                                                                       Test it out                                                                                                                                            

If you want to know if it’s the truth                                                                                               Then, my friend, you are going to need proof                                                                       Come up with a test                                                                                                                           Yeah, you need a test

Don’t believe it ’cause they say it’s so                                                                                            If it’s not true, you have a right to know                                                                                  Put it to the test (put it to the test)                                                                                           Yeah, test it out (put it to the test)                                                                                         Yeah, put it to the test (put it to the test)                                                                                  Put it to the test (put it to the test)

Topic 1: What is Logic?

1. Reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity: “experience is a better guide to this than deductive logic.”

2. A particular system or codification of the principles of proof and inference: “Aristotelian logic.”

Topic 2: What is skepticism?

Any questioning attitude towards knowledge, facts, or opinions/beliefs stated as facts.

  • Discussion 1: Playground beliefs.

Has any kid ever made a claim that you found hard to believe? Have any kids made claims you later found out was not true? Have you ever made such a claim?

Skepticsm is a method of approaching life that makes you “less wrong” or able to see through these kinds of deceptions easier.

  • Activity 1: Look up “Free” things online. See how they are not really free.

Topic 2: What is Critical Thinking?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iSZ3BUru59A[2]

  • Activity 2: Triangle Hypothesis

A plane figure with three straight sides and three angles. Cut out a Triangle from paper. Now cut the corners off and show how it is flat on one side if you line them all up (180 degrees).

Tell them that any triangle will always line up this way if the corners are cut off.

Instruct the children to draw their own triangles and cut off the corners. Have them try to make a triangle that does not line up. Encourage kids who draw scalene or acute triangles for trying and exploring.

Once the kids have completed the activity, ask if they believe your statement more now that they have tested it. Encourage them that if they ever did find such a triangle they should immediately show the class, because it would be a very important find for mathematics.

Conclusion: By learning Logic, Skeptism and Critical Thinking, we will not be as deceived and we will live lives where we are wrong less often.

Farewell video (House Hippo)[3]

This entry was posted in Critical Thinking course for Kids. Bookmark the permalink.
Last edited by EmmaHS on February 2, 2013 at 11:14 pm

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