Syllogisms, deductive validity, and the principles of inductive probability for evaluating evidence-based claims. Targets common logical fallacies and the construction of sound, persuasive arguments.
A 50-minute lesson on the academic action verb 'Synthesize.' Students learn to combine information from multiple sources to create a new, original conclusion using the 'Laboratory Mix' method.
A 50-minute lesson on the academic action verb 'Analyze.' Students learn to break complex topics into smaller parts to understand how they work together using the 'Architect's Blueprint' method.
A 50-minute lesson on the academic action verb 'Predict.' Students learn to use evidence and logic to make educated guesses about future outcomes in various subjects.
A 50-minute lesson on the academic action verb 'Summarize.' Students learn to identify main ideas and key details while removing unnecessary information using 'The Squeeze' method.
A 50-minute lesson on the academic action verb 'Justify.' Students learn to support their claims with evidence and reasoning using the 'Claim-Evidence-Reasoning' (CER) framework.
A 50-minute lesson on 'Compare' and 'Contrast.' Students learn to identify similarities and differences using academic language and structured organizers.
A 50-minute lesson on the academic action verb 'Explain.' Students learn to go beyond 'what' to 'how' and 'why' using clear steps and transition words.
An instructional unit focusing on TEKS E2.8A, teaching students to analyze author's purpose, audience, and message within a variety of texts using nuanced verbs and rhetorical context.
A lesson using a detective analogy to teach students how to analyze evidence. Students learn that clues (evidence) mean nothing without a detective's logic (analysis) to solve the case (argument).
A 30-minute Tier 2 intervention for Grade 8 students to master evaluating evidence relevance and sufficiency. Students will analyze argument excerpts, sort evidence types, and participate in a mini-debate to apply their skills in a high-stakes NC EOG prep format.
A 30-minute Tier 2 intervention for 8th grade ELA focused on RI.8.8. Students use the CER framework to dismantle arguments, identify logical fallacies, and evaluate the strength of evidence across three real-world scenarios.
A comprehensive lesson for 12th-grade English focusing on the nuances of cause and effect analysis, logical fallacies, and structural organization in academic writing.
A focused Grade 7 ELA practice session on analyzing arguments, identifying claims, and evaluating evidence in persuasive texts. Features a practice test with multiple-choice questions and a claim-evaluation open response.
A focused practice session for Grade 6 students on comparing and contrasting characters and themes across two fictional stories. Includes a practice test with an MCAS-style open response question.
A comprehensive practice session focused on identifying central ideas, analyzing supporting details, and synthesizing information across three distinct informational texts. Students will practice MCAS-style multiple choice and a text-based short answer response.
A study of Act 1, Scene 4, where Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio prepare to crash the Capulet ball. Students will analyze Mercutio's vivid Queen Mab speech, Romeo's persistent melancholy and prophetic dreams, and the tension between whimsical fantasy and dark reality.
A study of Act 1, Scene 3, introducing the Nurse and Lady Capulet's proposal of marriage to Paris. Students will analyze the Nurse's coarse humor, Lady Capulet's extended metaphor of Paris as a book, and Juliet's initial stance on marriage and obedience.
A study of Act 1, Scene 2, where Count Paris asks for Juliet's hand and Romeo and Benvolio discover the Capulet party through a chance encounter. Students will analyze the dynamics of parental choice, the role of chance, and the poetic language used to describe the ladies of Verona.
An intensive study of the opening scene and prologue of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Students will analyze the mechanics of the ancient grudge, the characterization of the principal families, and the specific poetic techniques used to establish Romeo's unrequited love for Rosaline.
A final capstone session where students apply all skills to a "Master Investigator" mystery challenge involving all previous themes.
Compares Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum debate formats, preparing students for competitive environments.
Teaches students how to find, evaluate, and cite credible evidence to support their arguments.
Explores logical reasoning and common logical fallacies that undermine debate arguments.
Introduces the Claim-Warrant-Data model of argumentation and basic structures for building a persuasive case.
Focuses on non-verbal communication, vocal variety, and overcoming stage fright to establish a professional presence.
A comprehensive 9th-grade lesson on logical reasoning and argumentation. Students learn to build sound arguments using premises and conclusions while identifying common logical fallacies to strengthen their persuasive writing and speaking skills.
A high-school level exploration of Sherlock Holmes's methods, focusing on the distinction between observation, inference, and deduction through character analysis.
A critical thinking lesson for 8th Grade ELA focused on the historical origins of inductive and deductive reasoning. Students analyze the contributions of Aristotle and Descartes to the scientific method using video evidence.
Students will learn the fundamental differences between deductive and inductive reasoning, evaluating the strength and certainty of arguments through video analysis and creative writing.
A culminating mock defense where students justify a complex decision to a panel, demonstrating mastery of reasoning synthesis.
Students apply the Toulmin model to fine-tune the structural connections between different reasoning frameworks in their arguments.
Students practice pivoting between reasoning types during high-pressure Q&A sessions to maintain argumentative momentum.
Students engage in dialectical exercises to anticipate counter-arguments and draft pre-emptive rebuttals using varied reasoning models.
Students analyze complex thesis topics to determine the optimal deployment of deductive, inductive, and analogical reasoning frameworks.
Students act as editors for a flawed argument essay that presents evidence in a confusing order. They must cut, paste, and rearrange the text to create a coherent, logical sequence that supports the thesis.
Students examine famous speeches to analyze the 'Arrangement' canon of rhetoric—why the speaker placed the emotional appeal after the logical proof, or vice versa. They analyze the cumulative effect of the sequence.
Students analyze technical documents and complex instructions to identify gaps or ambiguities in the sequence. They critique texts where poor sequencing leads to user error or misunderstanding.
Working with complex historical or scientific texts, students map out multi-step causal chains where one event triggers a sequence of others. They identify the distinction between correlation and sequential causation.
The capstone project where students build their own analogy-based logic puzzles for peers to solve.
Focuses on building automaticity and identifying common logical traps and distractors in rapid-fire analogy solving.
A comprehensive guide for Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible', featuring watching guides for Acts 1 and 4 and independent reading guides for Acts 2 and 3, focusing on the progression of hysteria, character evolution, and thematic analysis.
A Grade 7 RLA lesson focused on analyzing argumentative and informational texts using the Texas high-speed rail debate. Students evaluate claims, evidence, and rhetorical devices through the Hillocks method and participate in a Socratic seminar.
A high-rigor English II lesson focused on rhetorical analysis and persuasive writing through the lens of moral defiance. Students analyze paired texts from Sophocles and Martin Luther King Jr. to prepare for the STAAR EOC exam.
A Grade 4 Reading Language Arts lesson focused on TEKS 4.10, helping students analyze author's purpose and craft using the 'Author's Toolkit' theme. Includes explicit PIE instruction, mentor text analysis, and STAAR-formatted assessment.
A comprehensive STAAR-aligned lesson for 8th Grade RLA focusing on paired text analysis and argumentative writing. Students will explore the theme of progress through a literary passage and an informational text, developing skills in evidence integration and claim-based writing.
A comprehensive Grade 5 RLA lesson focused on analyzing informational texts about Texas Gulf Coast ecosystems, featuring STAAR-aligned practice, text structure analysis, and a structured academic controversy discussion.
A practical media literacy lesson designed to empower high school students to identify misinformation, bias, and clickbait. The lesson focuses on "street-smart" verification techniques that work even with limited data and internet access.
A mini-lesson focused on the art of explaining and analyzing evidence within an argument body paragraph, designed for 6th-grade students.
A lesson designed to empower high school students with the tools to navigate digital misinformation, focusing on the SIFT method, identifying emotional bias, and spotting sponsored content.
A quick-start guide to mastering the three essential components of an argumentative essay introduction: the hook, the bridge, and the claim.
An 8th-grade ELA lesson focused on deconstructing digital media messages through the lens of rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) and identifying bias in various online formats. Students transition from passive consumers to critical analysts of news clips, social media, and advertisements.
A comprehensive 120-minute lesson designed to teach middle schoolers the structural components of argumentative writing through an architectural metaphor. Students learn about claims, evidence, reasoning, and counterclaims while engaging in collaborative and independent building.
A lesson on the structure of a 5-paragraph argumentative essay using a 'Case File' theme, designed for middle school students to master logical organization and evidence-based writing.
