How to Use The Fallacy Detective in a Homeschool

(Some of this page is taken from the introduction to The Fallacy Detective.)

The picture we had in mind when we wrote this book was of a father or mother sitting beside the children and working through this book together. Parents and children all read the chapter, they all discuss it, and they all do the exercises together. In our experience, most children learn logic best when they are thirteen years or older. Therefore, we have designed this book for students age thirteen and above. There is no maximum age, so grandparents have no excuse.

We know that logic is a new subject to most people, so we wrote this book to be your teacher. We designed the lesson format to contain many concrete examples, and we included exercises for many levels of difficulty. In this way, the concepts are easy to understand, and the skills are easy to learn. Actually, we like to think of it this way – our book helps you to discover the logic which is already written in your mind by God. We only make you more aware of the logic which you’ve been using all of your life.

What Is the Lesson Format?

Each lesson begins with a section for you to read, and ends with exercises for you to answer. As we hinted at before, there are different ways you can use our book to fit your situation. Here are a few suggestions. We recommend that you work through this book in a group of two or more people. There is something about multiple people discussing their agreements or disagreements which brings out so much more in the lesson. You may wish to have each person read each lesson independently, then have everyone go through the lesson together.

As you read each exercise and give your answer, you can check each answer with the answer key provided at the back of this book. As you follow this three-step sequence (first read the exercise, then give your answer, then check your answer), you will have your answers immediately corrected if you happen to miss the point.

If you have trouble understanding a lesson, then do the exercises for that lesson anyway. We designed the exercises to be a teaching tool, so you may catch in the exercises what you did not understand in the lesson itself. If you miss many of the exercises, and you do not know why, then you may need to repeat a lesson until you understand it. If you still don’t understand something taught in this book, then try discussing it with other people.

You may find more ideas at How to Use The Fallacy Detective in a Classroom.

Here Is the Challenge

Remember, most people never study good thinking skills. So people who take on this quest of learning logic are breaking out of the mold, and thistakes courage. It also takes humility. But most of all, it takes self-discipline.

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1 • Rachel • December 19, 2008 • 11:22 AM

Dear Fallacy Detective,
My mom bought the fallacy detective a few months ago and I love it! It is the only school I really like. I love reading it! It is really fun and I hope you come up with somthing else just as much fun!

2 • Wendy McCulloch • January 09, 2009 • 8:35 AM

My name is Wendy McCulloch and I am a homeschool teacher. I am using your book The Fallacy Detective in a small group setting with several other homeschool students. I am interested in receiving your test and answer key. We are also using The Thinking Toolbox and would be interested in a test for it if you have one. We are enjoying the books in this small group setting. Thank you

3 • Amy Woerner • June 03, 2009 • 10:24 PM

How do you assign credit for this book?  Would it be a 1/2 credit or full credit?  I’m assuming since there are 36 lessons, it would be a full credit; however, I’d like to BE SURE!!!  :o)

4 • Annabelle Chan • October 06, 2009 • 3:22 PM

We are using Fallacy Detective this year with my 4 children, ages 5-12.  We are all learning together and it’s amazing that my 12 year-old can spot quite a number of fallacies.  My 9 year-old loves to reason circularly and now knows when she is being pointless.

Thanks for writing such a great book!

5 • Patti Caro • October 06, 2009 • 6:01 PM

I am using the Fallacy Detective with my 11 year old who has ADHD.  It has helped her immensely with thinking things through and lessened her impulsiveness.  Much more effective than medication.  Her comments have become clearer and more concise, as well as more logical.  I can’t tell you how much this has helped.

6 • Dora Villanueva • February 16, 2010 • 2:53 PM

We’re almost done with The Fallacy Detective. It’s been an enjoyable addition to our homeschool mornings. Would you email the test?

7 • Angie • March 18, 2010 • 2:13 PM

I just came across this curriculum…don’t see where responses are to the questions…would also like to know what is recommended regarding assigning the 1/2 or full credit for it.
Thanks!

3 • Amy Woerner • June 03, 2009 • 10:24 PM

How do you assign credit for this book?  Would it be a 1/2 credit or full credit?  I’m assuming since there are 36 lessons, it would be a full credit; however, I’d like to BE SURE!!!  :o)

8 • Susanna Coffin • May 25, 2010 • 2:25 PM

We enjoyed the Fallacy Detective last summer for part of our Summer School.  Since it didn’t take much of our time and we went around the room with the questions I figured it was worth half a credit.  When you homeschool, as a teacher, you have to decide how much work it is worth.  If each child had done all the questions on their own I probably would have given them each a full credit.

9 • Sandy Pearce • August 01, 2010 • 5:00 PM

Hi, I just got the Fallacy Detective to use in our homeschool with my 14 and 12 year olds. Please send me a copy of the Fallacy Detective test. Is the Fallacy Detective Tool Box for an addition to this book or after we complete this book?
Thanks, Sandy

10 • Sandy • August 01, 2010 • 5:01 PM

Hi, I just got the Fallacy Detective to use in our homeschool with my 14 and 12 year olds. Please send me a copy of the Fallacy Detective test. Is the Fallacy Detective Tool Box for an addition to this book or after we complete this book?
Thanks, Sandy
oh, checked my email and I have the test link-thanks!

11 • Rossa • August 02, 2010 • 10:34 PM

We are using “The Fallacy Detective”  I would like to have the test and answer key to use in my homeschool group. Thank you!

12 • kim • August 13, 2010 • 2:25 PM

I just received the book! Can’t wait for our school year to start in September!! Would like to request a copy of the test mentioned in the introduction. Thank you!

13 • Gabriela Probst • August 17, 2010 • 9:18 AM

Love the book!  I’d like to have the test for when we’re finished.  This is a great lead in to Traditional Logic or Introductory Logic which are a little bit harder.  I wish I’d done Fallacy Detective with my elder daughter before tackling formal logic!  Thank you!

14 • Andrea • August 19, 2010 • 7:49 PM

We are also using “The Fallacy Detective” and I would like to get a copy of the test and answer key.  Thank you.

15 • Annette Ward • August 22, 2010 • 8:51 PM

My husband look through the book and loves it. He is so excited for our son to be learning critical thinking and not from a public school. We are going to try to read the book as a family during dinner, but would also like the test and answer key. Can you email them? Thank You!

16 • Amy • August 24, 2010 • 1:47 PM

I would love to have the tests and answer key sent to me email address, as well. 

Thanks!

17 • Merrie Henderson • August 30, 2010 • 2:54 PM

We are using “The Fallacy Detective” and I would really appreciate having your Fallacy Detective Test. I’m looking forward to using this book with my daughter this year.  I believe it will help her better evaluate what she reads and hears. That is one of my goals in homeschooling her.  Thanks so much for the book and for this website!

18 • Felicia • August 30, 2010 • 10:29 PM

Please send the tests and answer key via email. 

Thanks

19 • Christina Skagen • August 31, 2010 • 11:49 AM

I am using the “The Fallacy Detective” this year with my 14 and
16 year old children. Any clarification you could give on assigning credits would be appreciated. I would also like to know how to find the quizes and tests that are associated with this book. Thanks, Christina

20 • Lisa Huth • September 04, 2010 • 11:36 AM

I’m looking forward to using the Fallacy Detective with my son this year. Would you please send the test? Thanks!

21 • Lori Snyder • December 30, 2010 • 4:05 PM

I am using The Fallacy Detective with my 12 and 15 year old students.  Could you please send me the test?  Thank you!

22 • Gay Wasileski • February 01, 2011 • 8:54 AM

We are using the Fallacy Detective and Thinking Toolbox for our 15 year old son.  May I please have the test sent to me?  Thank you so much!

23 • Jackie Montedonico • March 08, 2011 • 10:23 PM

I am using The Fallacy Detective this year with my son. I would love to have the test and answer key sent to me. How is credit assigned?

24 • Becky • March 21, 2011 • 2:18 PM

I’m teaching the Fallacy Detective for a homeschool co-op class.  Would you please send me the test?  Thanks.

25 • Mrs. R • May 31, 2011 • 8:08 AM

Just finishing up and would love to have the test and answer key. Would you please email it to me? Thank you so much!

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