Lesson Plan
Fact or Assumption
Distinguishing between facts and assumptions is an important life skill. In this lesson, students will articulate the difference between assumptions and facts through class discussion and a poster activity.
Grades:
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Learning Objectives
Students will be able to define and understand the difference between the terms "assumption" and "fact."
Introduction
(10 minutes)- Ask students to join into a circle, either seated in chairs or on the floor.
- Explain to the class that today, they will be exploring the terms "judgement" and "fact."
- Before they begin, have students take a moment to sit upright and come to as much stillness as they can.
- Guide the class to close their eyes or look down, and to become aware of the sounds they hear outside. Have students pause for a moment so they can really listen. Then, have the them place their attention to what they hear outside of the windows. Once again, pause for a moment so they can really listen.
- Ask the class if they notice thoughts that may judge the sound. For example, they may have thoughts saying "I don't like that sound," or "I like the sound of the fan in the room." Ask them to notice these thoughts and judgements, and mention that it is totally okay to have these thoughts. Then, gently bring their attention back to the sounds.
- Ask the students to take a few deep breaths and gently open their eyes.
- Ask the class to share what they noticed. Ask, "Did anyone have thoughts that were judging the sounds? Remember it is okay if you did."
- Ask, "Did you notice anything about the sounds you had not noticed before?"
- Ask if anyone can name a fact, rather than a judgement, about a sound they heard, such as "I heard a car" or "I heard feet walking."
- Explain to the class, that just as we can judge sounds (liking or not liking), we can judge other things and people. We can judge without knowing all the facts.
- Explain to the class that another term for this is "making assumptions."
- Write "assumption" on the board, and ask the class what the word means. Ask them to look at the root word, "assume." Again, ask what it may mean.
- Write the following definition of assumption on the board: "A thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof."
- Ask if anyone can give an example of an assumption they have had about food. Ask students if they've ever judged something before actually experiencing it.
- Ask, "How can you judge something without having actual proof?" Then, give an example from your own life.
- Share that it is normal for us to make assumptions. However, we can use mindfulness to become more aware of our assumptions, before actually believing them.