Logic for Teens
Learn how to make sense of complicated arguments with sci-fi themed video lessons and activities.
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★★★★★[Logic for Teens] was a more fun and relaxed introduction to logic than I had with truth tables. The final quizzes were probably my favourite bit, because it...— Aylin, 17
About the course
Symbolic logic gives us a precise way to build and test deductive arguments. It helps us look beyond how convincing an argument sounds and focus on its structure so we can answer the question: if the reasons are true, must the conclusion be true too?
This course introduces teens to the foundations of symbolic logic through short video lessons, interactive practice activities, and story-based quizzes.
- Video length: Approximately 2 minutes each.
- Course duration: Estimated 3 hours. This can be extended by adding the Symbolic Logic Worksheets.
Note: The first free lesson introduces the course. To get a better sense of the lessons and activities, try the second lesson too. It’s also free.
Topics Covered
- What is an argument in logic?
- How arguments can go wrong
- Types of arguments - deductive and inductive
- Types of sentences - contradictions, tautologies, and contingent sentences
- Types of sentence groups - logically equivalent, inconsistent, and consistent
- Atomic sentences
- Conjunction
- Negation
- Disjunction
- Conditional
- Biconditional
- Unless
- Parentheses
After completing the lessons, students will go on a sci-fi quest to test their skills.
For Teachers
Critikid offers classroom subscriptions that allow educators to give course access to an unlimited number of students. These subscriptions also include supplementary teaching materials. To learn more, visit the For Schools page.
If you don’t need unlimited student access but are interested in the teaching materials, you can purchase the Logic Bundle. This includes one pass to Logic for Teens and Critikid's Symbolic Logic Worksheets, which have been specially designed to accompany this course.
What is symbolic logic?
The study of logic is the study of the structure of arguments. Understanding symbolic logic helps us to break down complex arguments. This helps us to analyze both the correctness of the premises and the validity of the reasoning in order to determine whether the argument is sound.
Consider this argument: “If it was sunny yesterday, Bob went to the beach. It was sunny yesterday. Therefore, Bob went to the beach.”
We can write this argument as follows:
A → B
A
∴ B
This argument is valid.
Here’s another argument: “If it was sunny yesterday, Bob went to the beach. Bob went to the beach. Therefore, it was sunny yesterday.”
This one seems valid, but it is not. From the first premise, we only know that Bob definitely went to the beach if it was sunny, but we don’t know that he wouldn’t have gone in other weather conditions. This argument looks like this:
A → B
B
∴ A
A student who understands the rules of symbolic logic can quickly detect that the second argument is not valid.
Does this course align with Common Core standards?
Yes. Logic for Teens aligns with a few Common Core ELA standards.
View the alignments by grade:
Does this course align with CASEL competencies?
Yes. Logic for Teens supports CASEL competencies in Responsible Decision-Making. Students practice making reasoned judgments after analyzing information and recognizing how critical thinking skills are useful inside and outside of school.
Can I use ESA funds to buy this course?
Critikid is an approved Education Service Provider with the New Hampshire Children’s Scholarship Fund. Learn more.
What are the usage rights for this course? Is it reusable?
When you purchase this course, it’s tied to the email address used at checkout (unless you click "Buy as a Gift"). This means you get access for one person, but they can run through the course as many times as they want. If you’d like a school license with multiple passes for multiple teachers/students, visit the For Schools page.
Buy Logic for Teens in Critical Thinking for the Digital Age
Ages 13–18Includes 5 items: Homeschool Curriculum, Social Media Simulator, A Statistical Odyssey, Logic for Teens, Symbolic Logic Worksheets.
