Thinking about thinking in the RE classroom

1. Thinking about thinking in the RE classroom

2. diamond nine critical thinking Giving reasons strongest reason Lucy says she believes in the resurrection of Jesus. Which is her strongest reason? Which is her weakest reason? weakest reason

3. diamond nine critical thinking Giving reasons strongest reason Dave says a church should be allowed to provide same sex marriages if they want to. Which is his strongest reason? Which is his weakest reason? weakest reason

4. example 1 Weak or flawed thinking Yes – his disciples were scared and had given up but then they changed and were full of courage. Something happened that changed them. They had seen Jesus alive. A Insert here an image of Harry and Carl Do you think Jesus rose from the dead? Carl Yes – Jesus rose from the dead. That’s my opinion and everyone has a right to their opinion. Harry Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed? B B Explain why.

5. example 1 Weak or flawed thinking No reason is given. The issue is seen as personal rather than what it is – a claim about what really happened in the world. Insert here an image of Harry and Carl Do you think Jesus rose from the dead? Carl Yes – Jesus rose from the dead. That’s my opinion and everyone has a right to their opinion. Harry Which of Harry’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed? B Explain why.

6. example 1 Weak or flawed thinking Jesus rose from the dead. That’s my opinion and everyone has a right to their opinion. Insert here an image of Harry Harry objective subjective uncontentious contentious likely to cause an argument not likely to cause an argument Geoff Hurst’s 3rd goaldid cross the line England won the World Cup in 1966 The next fifty years will see the healthy growth of RE in our schools. The law requires RE to be taught in all Community schools. When die we will haveto face the judgement of God. The Bible is the Christian holy book.

7. example 1 Weak or flawed thinking Jesus rose from the dead. That’s my opinion and everyone has a right to their opinion. Insert here an image of Harry Harry objective subjective Subjective statements reflect the personal preferences of people. The subject of the statement is the person. Objective statements are not personal preferences. They are claims about the world. Harry likes Brussels sprouts but hates broad beans. Jesus rose from the dead. Harry likes Grime but doesn’t like Heavy Metal. God created the universe. Harry likes Star Trek but doesn’t like Dr Who. There will be a Judgement Day

8. example 1 Weak or flawed thinking No reason is given. The issue is seen as personal rather than what it is – a claim about what really happened in the world. Insert here an image of Harry and Carl Do you think Jesus rose from the dead? Carl Yes – Jesus rose from the dead. That’s my opinion and everyone has a right to their opinion. Harry The claim that Jesus rose from the dead has to do with claiming that an event in this world really happened. It is not an issue to do with personal inner feelings or preferences. Explain why.

9. example 2 Weak or flawed thinking A You can’t swim properly Ginny so I bet you can’t pray right either. • I prayed for Grandma so how come she still died? Insert here an image of Ginny and Jerome Ginny I guess God doesn’t always do what we want Ginny. God does what is right. Jerome A Which of Jerome’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed? B Explain why.

10. example 2 Weak or flawed thinking A You can’t swim properly Ginny so I bet you can’t pray right either. Attacking the person and not the issue is not a proper argument. Insert here an image of Jerome Attacking the person I guess God doesn’t always do what we want Ginny. God does what is right. Argumentum ad hominem Jerome A B Which of Jerome’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed? Explain why.

11. example 2 Weak or flawed thinking A You can’t swim properly Ginny so I bet you can’t pray right either. I prayed for Grandma so how come she still died? Insert here an image of Jerome Ginny A I guess God doesn’t always do what we want Ginny. God does what is right. Jerome Jerome is not talking about the subject which is prayer but is talking about Ginny. B The fact that Ginny can’t swim does not matter. It is not connected in any way to the subject which is prayer. Explain why.

12. example 3 Weak or flawed thinking Yes – people who believe in voluntary euthanasia are saying that elderly people should volunteer to be put to death. Do you think voluntary euthanasia is wrong? Insert here an image of Harry and Carl Harry A Yes – because we should live with everything life throws at us – good and bad. You shouldn’t just ask to die when things get really tough and difficult. Carl A Which of Carl’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed? B Explain why.

13. example 3 Weak or flawed thinking Yes – people who believe in voluntary euthanasia are saying that elderly people should volunteer to be put to death. Do you think voluntary euthanasia is wrong? This is a ‘straw man’ argument. It attacks a view which they do not have. Insert here an image of Carl A • Yes – because we should live with everything life throws at us – good and bad. You shouldn’t just ask to die when things get really tough and difficult. Carl A B Which of Carl’s reasons do you think is most weak or perhaps flawed? Explain why.

14. example 3 Weak or flawed thinking Yes – people who believe in voluntary euthanasia are saying that elderly people should volunteer to be put to death. Do you think voluntary euthanasia is wrong? This is a ‘straw man’ argument. It attacks a view which they do not have. Insert here an image of Carl A • Yes – because we should live with everything life throws at us – good and bad. You shouldn’t just ask to die when things get really tough and difficult. Carl People who believe in voluntary euthanasia do not believe elderly people should volunteer to die. B This is an inaccurate version of what they say which is put up in order to be easily knocked down and dismissed.