Logic for the Intuitive Conference Handout

Note: This is a conference handout from a workshop. Audio for this workshop is currently unavailable. 

LOGIC FOR THE INTUITIVE
Susan Wise Bauer

Copyright 1999 by the author.  Please do not reproduce.  This material is adapted in part from The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home.

HOW TO DO IT

You’ll want to spend three teaching periods (30-60 minutes) per week on the study of logic.  The basic pattern will look like this, for those using the Canon Press texts:

Grade 5: 30 minutes per day, MWF
Logic puzzles: Mind Benders, Red Herrings

Grade 6: 30 minutes per day, MWF
Introductory Logic (Canon Press)

Grade 7: 30 minutes per day, MWF
Intermediate Logic (Canon Press)

Grade 8: 30 minutes per day, MWF
Use Critical Thinking 1 & 2 (Critical Thinking Press) for review and practical application

For the logically inclined who find the Canon Press text unusable:

Grade 5: 30 minutes per day, MWF
Logic puzzles: Mind Benders, Red Herrings

Grade 6: 30 minutes per day, MWF
Critical Thinking 1 (Critical Thinking Press)

Grade 7: 30 minutes per day, MWF
Critical Thinking 2 (Critical Thinking Press)

Grade 8: 30 minutes per day, MWF
Mind Benders, Set C (Critical Thinking Press)

For the student who needs more time to absorb the material:

Grades 5-6:  30 minues per day, MWF
Logic puzzles: Mind Benders, Red Herrings

Grades 6-7:  30 minutes per day, MWF
Introductory Logic or Critical Thinking 1

Grades 7-8:  30 minutes per day, MWF
Intermediate Logic or Critical Thinking 2

LOGIC RESOURCES

Mind Benders Books
Order all these direct from Critical Thinking Press, 1-800-458-4849

Instructions & Solutions.  Unless you’re a professor of logic, buy this manual — it will take you through all three levels of Mind Benders. $10.95.

Warm-Up, grades K-2.  All logic students should start here.  The problems are easy, but the book’s purpose is to teach the process of deductive learning.  DON’T SKIP THIS LEVEL!  $7.95.

Books A1, A2, A3, A4.  These four books will prepare most fifth graders for the Canon Press introductory logic course.  $7.95 for each book.

Books B1, B2, B3, B4.  The intermediate level books are graded by the publisher as “Grade 6-Adult Ability.”  For the bright child who finishes A4 and wants to do more.  $7.95 each.

Books C1, C2, C3.  High school level, for the eighth-grader who has finished logic and wants to review.  $7.95 each.

Critical Thinking Press also sells all these together in a bundle for $89.95, which is a considerable discount; you might consider splitting the cost with a home schooling friend.

A Case of Red Herrings: Solving Mysteries through Critical Questioning. Order direct from Critical Thinking Press

Books A1 & A2 (for fourth and fifth graders).  $11.95 each.

Books B1 & B2 (optional — for the student who wants to do more).  $11.95 each.

Canon Press Logic Course

Introductory Logic, by Douglas J. Wilson.  From Rainbow Resource Center (1-888-841-3456), $13.50 for student text and $3.60 for answer key.  You can also order direct from the publisher, Canon Press (1-800-488-2034): $15 for student text, $4 for answer key.

Intermediate Logic, by James B. Nance.  From Rainbow Resource Center, $23 for student text and $6.50 for teacher’s manual.  You can also order direct from the publisher, Canon Press: $25 for student text, $6.50 for answer key.

Critical Thinking Books & Software series
Critical Thinking Book One, by Anita Harnadek.  From Rainbow Resource Center, $13.50 for student text and $7.25 for the teacher’s manual.  You can also order direct from the publisher, Critical Thinking Books & Software: $16.95 for student text, $9.95 for the teacher’s manual.

Critical Thinking Book Two, by Anita Harnadek.  From Rainbow Resource Center, $15.50 for student text and $8.75 for the teacher’s manual.  You can also order direct from the publisher, Critical Thinking Books & Software: $19.95 for student text, $10.95 for the teacher’s manual.

LOGIC ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

Formal logic:
Cranium Crackers or Mind Benders, one year
Canon Press Introductory Logic and Intermediate Logic

Mathematics
Finish Algebra I by eighth grade

Spelling
Vocabulary from Classical Roots

Grammar
A Beka God’s Gift of Language and Grammar and Composition I and II (for seventh and eighth grade): diagramming and outlining skills.
I.
A.
B.
1.
2.
a.
b.

Writing
Writing Strands: aim to finish Writing Exposition and Anthony Weston’s Rulebook for Arguments by eighth grade (for faster service, order from Canon Press); learn propaganda techniques.

Reading
Analysis.  Whom is this book about?  What do the central characters want?  What keeps them from getting it?  Who is the villain?  What is the most important event in this story?  What leads up to this event?  How are the characters different after this event?

History
Use of a timeline
Outlining history book (Kingfisher History Encyclopedia)

Science
The scientific method
1. State the question
2. Form the hypothesis
3. Test the hypothesis through experimentation
4. Draw conclusions

See also the complete article index.

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