Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Drawing ConclusionsDrawing Conclusions

Making GeneralizationsMaking Generalizations

OvergeneralizationsOvergeneralizations

Drawing ConclusionsDrawing Conclusions

• A conclusion is a judgment or decision reached after serious consideration of all related facts, prior knowledge, new knowledge, and inferences.

ExampleExample

• Fact: The hot air balloon is losing speed and altitude• Fact: The balloon is sailing over the Pacific Ocean.• Inference: The balloon is in danger of crashing into the ocean

• Conclusion: The pilot should radio for help.

Now You TryNow You Try

• Fact: The ice on the lake is only 1 inch thick.• Fact: There are open cracks on the ice.• Inference: People ice fishing are in danger of

falling through the ice.• Conclusion?

Try AgainTry Again

• Fact: A grade of 94-100+% will get you an A in class.

• Fact: I have a grade of 93%.

• Inference: I am close to getting an A.

• Conclusion?

Try, Try AgainTry, Try Again

• Fact: There is a test on Friday.

• Fact: The test will be on critical thinking.

• Inference: I should study for the test.

• Conclusion?

""Grasshopper and Owl": Aesop's FableGrasshopper and Owl": Aesop's Fable

Screech, screech, SCREECH.A grasshopper sang all day long."Would you please be quiet?" Owl asked.Screech, screech, SCREECH.

Noisy grasshopper kept singing."What a bother!" said Owl to himself. "Be quiet down there! Please!" he said. "I need my rest!"But the rude insect just wouldn't stop.Screech, screech, SCREECH.Then Owl got a gleam in his eye. "Grasshopper," he said sweetly, "since I can't sleep, let's have some fun. Why don't you come up here and I will make a snack."Foolish Grasshopper thought that was a fine idea. Up, up Owl's tree he hopped. As soon as he got close, Owl grabbed him."Delicious!' said Owl to himself. Then he fell asleep at last.

What is the moral?/What did you conclude?What is the moral?/What did you conclude?

• Try to get along with your neighbors.

• Make an inference about the photo.

• Draw a oconclusion about what happened just before the photo was taken

The family dog hid behind the sofa as a storm roared outside. There was lightning and thunder. The dog whimpered each time it heard the thunder. Dad tried to coax the dog out, but it wasn't going anywhere.You can guess that ___.

Our family raises honeybees. This Our family raises honeybees. This spring one of our ten hives was spring one of our ten hives was destroyed. Recently, a bear was destroyed. Recently, a bear was sighted in our neighborhood.sighted in our neighborhood.You can guess that _____.You can guess that _____.

Mr. Burns is talking to Dad about a large tree that is dying. After they are finished, Mr. Burns ties a rope to the tree. Then he starts his chainsaw.You can guess that Mr. Burns is a __________.

Lisa was practicing her saxophone. She kept checking the time. She constantly stared at her neighbors playing baseball.You can guess that Lisa ___.

Belinda found a baby bird near a tree in her yard. Up in the tree, she could see a nest. The baby bird chirped loudly because it was afraid.Why was the baby bird on the ground?

Lydia smelled the sweet aroma in the air. Mom was baking brownies. Lydia heard a buzzing sound. She smiled widely.Can you guess what is happening?

An egg is laid. A caterpillar hatches from the egg and constantly eats flowers and leaves. It turns into a pupa and rests inside of a cocoon.You can guess that ___.

Making GeneralizationsMaking Generalizations

• A generalization is a broad statement based on several specific cases or examples.

• Make generalizations to help ou organize and understand large amounts of information.

ExampleExample

• Protein aids growth and repairs muscles.

• Fruits and vegetables provide critical vitamins and minerals.

• Carbohydrates supply energy to the body.

• Generalization: A balanced diet is important to good health.

OvergeneralizationOvergeneralization

• Overgeneralization is a statement so broad that it cannot possibly be true.

• An overgeneralization often includes words such as everyone, no one, always, all, and never.

ExampleExample

• Everyone loves the Bellow Boys’ new song.

• Consider: There is probably at least one person who doesn’t like the group’s music.

• Many people love the Bellow Boys’ new song.

Bugs Bunny VideoBugs Bunny Video

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnN1gjmEars&feature=related

• What generalizations are made?

• Are there any overgeneralizations?

• http://mnbound.squarespace.com/2008-minnesota-outdoor-amendme/