12

Lesson 12 of 20 ยท Logic & Reasoning

Lessonbeginner

Assumption Alert! โ€” What Are You Assuming?

What You'll Learn

๐Ÿ’ช An assumption is something you believe is true WITHOUT checking. We all make assumptions every day. To use this skill, follow these steps: First, understand the problem. Read it again if you need to. What is it really asking? Next, think about what you know. Have you seen something like this before? What worked last time? Then, come up with ideas. Try to think of at least TWO possible answers before picking one. The first idea isn't always the best! Finally, check your work. Does your answer make sense? Can you explain WHY you chose it? If you can explain your thinking, you really understand it. Remember: smart thinkers aren't people who never make mistakes โ€” they're people who LEARN from mistakes!

Key Concept: Identifying assumptions

๐ŸŽญ

Think About This

Your group needs to solve a problem using identifying assumptions. Everyone has a different idea. How do you decide which approach to try first?

Thinking Steps

๐Ÿ”

๐Ÿ” Understand

Read carefully. What is the question about identifying assumptions really asking?

๐Ÿงช

๐Ÿ“‹ Gather Info

What facts and clues do you have? List what you know.

๐Ÿงช

๐Ÿ’ก Think of Options

Come up with at least 2 possible answers. Don't pick the first one yet!

๐ŸŽฏ

โœ… Choose & Explain

Pick the best option. Say: 'I chose this because...'

๐Ÿชž

๐Ÿชž Reflect

Was your reasoning solid? What would you do differently next time?

Key Points

1

Assumptions are beliefs we accept without evidence

2

Everyone makes assumptions โ€” even smart people

3

The key is to NOTICE when you're assuming, not proven

Key Vocabulary

Inference

A smart guess based on clues you have

Evidence

Facts that help prove something is true

Pattern

A repeated sequence that follows a rule

๐ŸŒ

Why This Matters in Real Life

Scientists use this exact kind of thinking to make discoveries. When you find a pattern or figure out a rule, you're thinking like a scientist!

Talk About It

Discuss these questions with a friend, parent, or classmate.

  • 1How could you use identifying assumptions outside of school this week?
  • 2What would happen if everyone was really good at this skill?
  • 3What question do you still have? Write it down and try to find the answer.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

Seeing someone frown and thinking 'they're angry' is: