Unlucky Science Slides The 13th Protocol
Cultural Beliefs & Superstitions
TELPAS Intensive: Speaking • Listening • Reading • Writing
The Elevator Mystery
In many hotels, there is no button for the 13th Floor .
Why do humans fear a simple number? Would you stay in Room 13?
Discuss with a partner:
"I think people avoid 13 because..."
Today we investigate the science of luck and the history of fear.
The Big Words
Triskaidekaphobia
(Tris-kai-deka-phobia)
The extreme fear of the number 13 .
Greek: tris (3) + kaideka (10) + phobos (fear)
Paraskevidekatriaphobia
(Para-skevi-deka-tria-phobia)
The specific fear of Friday the 13th .
Greek: paraskevi (Friday) + deka (10) + tria (3)
Academic Arsenal 01
Cognates Focus
Superstition
Superstición
A belief or practice resulting from fear of the unknown or trust in magic.
Irrational
Irracional
Not logical or reasonable. Fears that don't make sense to science.
Coincidence
Coincidencia
When two things happen by chance, but look related.
Evidence
Evidencia
Information or facts that show if a belief or idea is true.
Logic
Lógica
Reasoning or thinking according to strict scientific principles.
Folklore
Folclore
Traditional beliefs and stories of a community passed through time.
Academic Arsenal 02
Cognates Focus
Talisman
Talismán
An object thought to have magic powers and bring good luck.
Tradition
Tradición
The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.
Phenomenon
Fenómeno
A fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen.
Illusion
Ilusión
Something that looks or seems different from what it actually is.
Psychology
Psicología
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions.
Observation
Observación
The action of watching something closely to gain information.
Academic Arsenal 03
Cognates Focus
Analysis
Análisis
Detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.
Conclusion
Conclusión
A judgment or decision reached by reasoning.
Mystery
Misterio
Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
Symbol
Símbolo
A thing that represents or stands for something else.
Culture
Cultura
The customs, arts, and social institutions of a particular people.
Theory
Teoría
A system of ideas intended to explain something.
Investigation Video
FILE_ID: ZWHRUX-ti0U
Embedded media
Synopsis
This investigation explores why the number 13 became a symbol of doom. It traces the belief back to mathematical perfection (12) versus messy imperfection (13).
Listening Task:
What is the "Code of Hammurabi" myth mentioned?
Post-Hoc Connections
The Bombing (1940)
Buckingham Palace was hit by five German bombs on Friday, September 13, 1940 . King George VI and Queen Elizabeth nearly died.
The Andes Crash (1972)
On Friday, October 13, 1972 , a plane carrying a rugby team crashed in the mountains. This tragedy is often linked to the "unlucky" date.
Scientific Fact:
"Just because two things happen together doesn't mean the date caused the disaster."
Correlation ≠ Causation
(Post-Hoc Fallacy)
Activity: Sensory Superstitions
1. Choose Secretly
Pick an unlucky thing: A black cat, a broken mirror, walking under a ladder, or the number 13.
2. Describe (TELPAS Speaking)
Use your Word Bank . Do not say the name! Describe what it looks like, sounds like, and how it feels.
Word Bank Focus
"I see shadows ...shriek ...nervous ."
Guess the superstition!
Unlucky Student Worksheet Investigator Field Report
REF: CASE-013
NAME:
DATE:
1. Sensory & Academic Word Bank
Category / Categoría
English
Español
Academic I
Superstition, Irrational, Coincidence, Evidence, Logic, Folklore
Superstición, Irracional, Coincidencia, Evidencia, Lógica, Folclore
Academic II
Talisman, Tradition, Phenomenon, Illusion, Psychology, Observation
Talismán, Tradición, Fenómeno, Ilusión, Psicología, Observación
Academic III
Analysis, Conclusion, Mystery, Symbol, Culture, Theory
Análisis, Conclusión, Misterio, Símbolo, Cultura, Teoría
Sight / Vista
Dark, Bright, Shadowy
Oscuro, Brillante, Sombrío
Hearing / Oído
Loud, Quiet, Echo, Crack
Fuerte, Silencioso, Eco, Crujido
Touch / Tacto
Rough, Smooth, Cold, Hot
Rugoso, Liso, Frío, Caliente
Feeling / Emoción
Scared, Nervous, Excited
Asustado, Nervioso, Emocionado
2. Evidence Analysis
Investigation Log: Triskaidekaphobia
"Superstitions often grow from 'post-hoc' connections . This means humans notice two events happening together and assume one caused the other. For example, Buckingham Palace was bombed on Friday the 13th in 1940. In 1972, a plane crashed in the Andes on the same date. Because these tragic events happened on Friday the 13th, some people believe the day itself is an omen . However, scientists call this a 'coincidence' —a random timing that feels meaningful but has no scientific link."
A. Define 'Post-Hoc' Connection:
B. What is the scientific word for these dates?
3. Final Analysis
Use words from the word bank to complete the investigation report.
I think the number 13 feels ________________ because it is often seen as an ________________.
(Emotion Word / Academic Word)
A fear of Friday the 13th is called ______________________, which some people find ______________________.
(Phobia Name / Academic Word: Irrational)
When two events happen on the same date, it is likely just a ________________ rather than a curse.
(Academic Word: Coincidence)
In folklore , people might carry a ________________ to feel ________________ about the future.
(Academic Word: Talisman / Emotion Word)
Phobia Designer Worksheet Phobia Design Studio
Protocol: Creative Application // Case-013-B
Designer Name:
Date:
1. The Name
Invent a name for your custom fear. (Example: Arachnophobia is fear of spiders).
My Custom Phobia:
2. The Definition
What is the specific cause of this fear?
Visual Data
Sketch the phobia or a warning symbol
3. Scientific Analysis
Required: Academic Arsenal
Explain your discovery to the scientific community. Use at least three words from the Arsenal in your report below.
Superstition Irrational Coincidence Evidence Logic Folklore Talisman Tradition Phenomenon Illusion Psychology Observation Analysis Conclusion Mystery Symbol Culture Theory
Section I: Observation
Try: Mystery, Phenomenon, Culture
I have discovered a new _________________________ called _________________________ that occurs when...
Section II: Reasoning
Try: Logic, Evidence, Irrational, Illusion
Based on my _________________________, I believe this fear is _________________________ because it is...
Section III: Synthesis
Try: Analysis, Conclusion, Psychology
According to my _________________________, the final _________________________ is that humans react this way because...
Laboratory Copy // Case-013-B
Scientific Synthesis Complete
Unlucky Protocol Teacher Guide The 13th Protocol
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Grades 9-10 ELL
45 MIN LESSON
Mission Objectives
Language Targets (TELPAS)
Reading: Analyze phobia origins and academic cognates.Writing: Synthesize scientific claims using academic stems.Listening: Extract historical myths from investigative video.Speaking: Describe sensory fears without naming the subject.
Academic Arsenal
Superstition, Irrational, Coincidence, Evidence, Logic, Folklore, Talisman, Tradition, Phenomenon, Illusion, Psychology, Observation, Analysis, Conclusion, Mystery, Symbol, Culture, Theory.
Pacing & Execution
0-5 MIN
The Hook: The Elevator Mystery
Slide 2: Discuss why the 13th floor is missing. Elicit initial "luck" vocabulary.
5-15 MIN
Direct Instruction: Vocabulary Arsenal
Slides 3-6: Teach Greek phobia roots and 18 academic cognates. Watch investigation video (Slide 7).
15-25 MIN
Analysis: Investigator Field Report
Use Student Worksheet (197199) . Students analyze the Post-Hoc fallacy text using the bilingual sensory bank.
25-35 MIN
Reading: Word Detective Sprint
Use Phobia Registry (154521) . Quick context clue identification based on Sight/Sound/Feeling clues.
35-45 MIN
Synthesis: Phobia Design Studio
Use Phobia Designer (phobia-designer-worksheet) . Students invent and scientificially define their own fear using 3 academic stems.
ELL Support
The Phobia Designer worksheet includes word suggestions for each sentence. Encourage students to check the Academic Arsenal slides or their worksheet word bank for spellings.
Differentiation
For Beginners, allow them to draw their phobia first, then help them select one word from the Arsenal (like "Mystery" or "Irrational") to put in a simplified sentence.
Phobia Registry Worksheet The Phobia Registry
REF: DATA-EXT-02
NAME:
DATE:
A phobia is an irrational and intense fear of a specific object or situation. Most phobia names come from Greek or Latin roots. By learning these roots, you can unlock the meaning of hundreds of complex words.
1. Common Phobias Registry
PHOBIA NAME ROOT WORD FEAR OF... Arachnophobia Arachne (Spider) Spiders Claustrophobia Claustrum (Closed space) Enclosed spaces Acrophobia Akron (Height) Heights Glossophobia Glosso (Tongue) Public speaking Pyrophobia Pyr (Fire) Fire Hydrophobia Hydor (Water) Water Astraphobia Astrape (Lightning) Thunder/Lightning Cynophobia Kyōn (Dog) Dogs
2. Word Detective
Analyze the context clues and use the registry to identify each phobia.
1
Alex refuses to take the elevator. When the doors close, he feels nervous and trapped .
Diagnosis: ________________________________________________
2
While cleaning the attic, Sarah sees a shadowy eight-legged creature in a web. She screams and runs away.
Diagnosis: ________________________________________________
3
Daniel is at the top of a skyscraper. He looks out the window at the ground far below and his heart races with fear.
Diagnosis: ________________________________________________
4
Whenever a neighbor walks their loud , barking golden retriever, Emily crosses the street to avoid it.
Diagnosis: ________________________________________________
5
The coach invited the team to a pool party, but Sam is scared to even touch the surface of the deep blue water.
Diagnosis: ________________________________________________
6
Maria has to give a presentation to her class. Her voice shakes, her throat feels
