Personhood Curriculum,
7th Grade
 
People are Rational
Lesson Plan
aphg7-3
 

Note to GRA: See if I can come up with some examples of irrational statements because of incorrect information or hidden agenda. Work up an exercise where students try to figure out why the other person seems irrational to them.

Teaching Goals
Learn:
Teacher Prep
Print the essay titled People Are Rational! - - - illogic.htm - - - illogic.rtf
You will read from this. Do not hand it out (until after the quiz! Make copies for students.)
 
Print out the quiz. - - - quiz.htm - - - quiz.rtf
Make copies for every student, plus spares.
Class Time

I am going to read an essay to you. While I read this essay, you are to take notes. Right after the essay you will take a quiz based on what you heard. You should use your notes as you take the quiz.

As you take your notes, try to pick out the main ideas - the really important stuff. Try to spot things that you would reasonably expect might be on a quiz. Be alert for new words or phrases. Take simple notes - just a word, 3, or a few.

I will read slowly. If you want me to wait while you finish a note, raise two fingers on one hand.

Read the essay, "People Are Rational!"

Pass out copies of the quiz. When done, turn your paper over.

The Quiz
What does rational mean? __________________________________________________
If people are actually rational or logical, why do they seem so irrational to us? ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What does GIGO mean? ___________________________________________________
What are the three main types of causes for a person to seem irrational? #1____________________________________________________________________
#2____________________________________________________________________
#3____________________________________________________________________
Name 7 ways they could have gotten incorrect information that makes them seem irrational? #1____________________________________________________________________
#2____________________________________________________________________
#3____________________________________________________________________
#4____________________________________________________________________
#5____________________________________________________________________
#6____________________________________________________________________
#7____________________________________________________________________
What 4 questions can we ask ourselves to try to find out why they seem to be irrational? #1____________________________________________________________________
#2____________________________________________________________________
#3____________________________________________________________________
#4____________________________________________________________________
What can we do to try to be rational? __________________________________________

After the Quiz, hand out copies of "People Are Rational!"

Students please grade yourselves. When done turn you papers over again. (18 points maximum.)

How many got them

DISCUSSION - - - use to fill up the remaining class time.

Has anyone had a conversation lately with someone who seemed irrational to you?
Or have you heard a conversation where someone seemed irrational?

Without using names, tell us about it.

Can you make a guess about what went wrong in their thinking that lead to them appearing irrational? (Anyone in class may answer.) (If no answer, teacher gives a best guess.)

Do any of you remember yourself discovering that you made an error, and likely seemed irrational to someone else? Tell us about that. How did you discover your were wrong?

Pass in your test papers.

Periodically
Teacher Follow-up

 

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As of: 26 Dec 2002