About This Lesson
This is a zero-prep, high-engagement critical thinking lesson for October.
The 5-page seasonal pack isolates three foundational causal errors that frequently derail student arguments:
- Correlation ≠ Causation (Cum Hoc)
- Sequence ≠ Causation (Post Hoc)
- Slippery Slope
What’s Included:
- Teacher Guide: Suggested 30 minute classroom flow and clear definitions.
- Spot the Flaw (7 Scenarios): Accessible, Halloween-themed scenarios where students identify the error and explain the broken mechanics in their own words.
- Real-World Case Study: A student-friendly deep dive into the 1994 double-blind study (Wolraich et al., NEJM) that debunked the "sugar rush" hyperactivity myth, introducing confounding variables and observer bias.
- Discussion / Extension Questions: Prompting students to evaluate sample size, deeply held assumptions, and fair experimental design. Complete Answer Key with Citations.
Format: Printable PDF. No prep required.
