Critical Thinking, Decision Making, and Framing Great Arguments (Intro)
This is a single-session class on logic, critical thinking, and thinking well. Teaching HOW to think and make good decisions isn't on any class lists for school but it is an essential learning skill!
Mike Hatcher
Average rating:
4.6
Number of reviews:(396)
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
My Teaching Methodology and Practice I believe the point of teaching is the learning process. My teaching method uses a combination of several elements, with attention to the age group of the class, in order to make the learning process as strong as possible. I include a PowerPoint presentation, a text (that I summarize - usually the 3 main points), personal stories to make either a good point or to make the wrong choice clear, occasionally I used a brief video clip to introduce the topic, use a Socratic question teaching approach, summarize/quiz about the main points of the class content 2-3 times during a class, randomly call on students to answer a question (rather than just have kids raise hands to keep everyone engaged), and include a student presentation project with a written component - that coincides with the topic theory (for the multi-day sessions). I always speak to class lecture items that should go down in notes I ask all students to take during class and typically hand out a note-taking sheet. Specific details of the class sessions are outlined below. 1. This class will focus on Critical Thinking, making good decisions 2. We will review and discuss the top 10 logic fallacies from Mastering Logical Fallacies by Withey. 3. I'll explain what’s a "logical fallacy" and connect the concept with faulty thinking. 4. I will provide 10 examples (1 for each of the top 10) of Logic Fallacies.
Learning Goals
It’s my goal that students will gain an understanding of the following.
(1) Critical thinking steps before forming an opinion.
(2) Spotting logic fallacies – and framing their thoughts with sound logic.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class focuses on an objective introduction to critical thinking and spotting logical fallacies.
Supply List
A class outline for notes is attached here in the classroom. Please have it ready for taking notes in class.
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.6
396reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
California Teaching Certificate
Master's Degree from Biola University, Talbot School of Theology
In grad school, I took an upper-level class philosophy class taught by the head of the department. I was quickly embarrassed to realize that I was all over the place with my thinking and reasoning. I’d never been taught critical thinking and the Socratic teaching method of the professor just infuriated me. Some of the hardest books I ever read came out of that class. I both hated it and loved it. My learning path took a BIG change that year in my mid-30s.
About the same time, I started homeschooling my 2 sons who were in the 4th and 8th grades. I headed down the road of the classical education philosophy which embraces the big education goal of learning to think.
That was over 20 years ago. The classical model has shaped my learning and teaching. In many ways, I’ve become that professor who made me so mad in his philosophy class. I’ve grown to love helping others, just like I was, in how to think and how to learn based on a critical thinking model. I slip into this teaching method no matter the subject.
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$18
per classMeets once
45 min
Completed by 107 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-10 learners per class
