Lesson summary
This lesson is designed to be completed independently by students, however, for the final parts they will benefit from having a peer, classmate, teacher or other trusted adult to talk with.
In this lesson students will learn more about effective reasoning. They will read an article focusing on ineffective reasoning during the pandemic and will be supported to understand key vocabulary used to describe reasoning and reasoning flaws. They will reflect upon their own thinking, and others’, about COVID-19 and how it may have changed over time. Using their own experiences as a springboard, students will consider ways they can respond when faced with poor reasoning. Finally, students will write a rebuttal to a flawed conclusion/piece of reasoning to share with their peers.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- identify flawed reasoning in thinking
- learn to describe reasoning using specific vocabulary
- apply ideas about flawed thinking to your own experiences
- learn to discuss thinking constructively with others.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- comprehend reasons for, and consequences of, flawed thinking
- identify examples of flawed thinking in others and yourself
- employ strategies to change your mind and improve your thinking
- employ strategies and write persuasively to change others’ minds.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Year 9 English:
- Use comprehension strategies to interpret and analyse texts, comparing and evaluating representations of an event, issue, situation or character in different texts (ACELY1744)
- Create imaginative, informative and persuasive texts that present a point of view and advance or illustrate arguments, including texts that integrate visual, print and/or audio features (ACELY1746)
Year 10 English:
- Identify and analyse implicit or explicit values, beliefs and assumptions in texts and how these are influenced by purposes and likely audiences (ACELY1752)
General capabilities: Literacy, Ethical Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking.
Background information:
We are living through unprecedented times and our lives have been forced to change almost overnight as a result of COVID-19. For many of us, the pandemic and its repercussions were unimaginable before they happened. As we come to terms with them, we need to be aware of our thought processes and apply effective reasoning.
Additional info
This lesson has been developed in partnership with The Conversation. The Conversation’s mission is to be known as a prominent and trusted publisher of new thinking and evidence-based research, editorially independent and free of commercial or political bias. The Conversation hopes teachers will use their content as a source of truthful information, and that teachers can show their students the importance of trusted, evidence-based information in understanding the world around them and making informed decisions about their actions. Please follow the republishing guidelines when using The Conversation’s articles.
Welcome back!
Don't have an account yet?
Log in with:
By signing up to Cool.org you consent and agree to Cool's privacy policy to
store, manage and process your personal information. To read more, please see
our privacy policy here(Opens in new tab).
Create your free Cool.org account.
Many of our resources are free, with an option to upgrade to Cool+ for premium content.
Already have an account?
Sign up with:
By signing up to Cool.org you consent and agree to Cool's privacy policy to
store, manage and process your personal information. To read more, please see
our privacy policy here(Opens in new tab).