Cryptozoology and Bigfoot: Real or Not?

Critical Thinking- Each student will determine for themselves whether each creature exists or not and why. 
Essay Creation- The week before our last class will involve students creating an essay (in the format above). Grammar and punctuation will be graded as well. 
Scientific Method- Students will be presented with the scientific method to help determine whether cryptozoology is a legitimate scientific branch of study.

I was a middle school science teacher for 10 years and currently homeschool my 11-year-old daughter. I have my Bachelors in Biology and my Masters in Healthcare Administration. There is lots of interest in today's society about pseudoscience i.e. ghosts and monsters of legends. In this class, I want to encourage students to utilize the scientific method to determine whether they can prove the existence of these things. Using their critical thinking skills in this class will encourage them to utilize them in other classes as well. 

Students will be tasked with creating a four-paragraph essay that they will read during our last week (Week 4)
Each essay is to be turned in before the last class so that it may be graded.
This essay will take anywhere from a week or more to a few days depending on student's writing levels.

Learner progress is assessed through class discussion as well a graded essay. There will be a letter grade assigned as well as an informal report from the teacher accompanying it. It is up to parents to determine whether they include this grade for their students or not.

45 minutes per week in class, and an estimated 0 - 1 hours per week outside of class.