Critical Thinking Toolkit

Use this during lessons 7–10 as a quick reference for questioning, evidence checks, argument structure, and tikanga-informed decision-making.

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🧠 Questions That Push Thinking

Tip: Start curious. Ask questions that help others explain their thinking (not “trap” them).

Clarify

  • What do you mean by…?
  • Can you give an example?
  • What’s the key point in one sentence?

Evidence

  • What evidence supports that?
  • How do we know it’s true?
  • What would change your mind?

Assumptions

  • What are we assuming?
  • Is there another way to see it?
  • What’s missing from this story?

Impact

  • Who benefits? Who might be harmed?
  • What are the short-term vs long-term effects?
  • What’s the fairest option?

Kupu āwhina (sentence starters): “I hear you saying…” • “My evidence is…” • “Another perspective could be…” • “Can we check the source?”

🔍 Source & Evidence Check (Quick)

Reliability checklist

  • Who made it? Are they qualified or close to the issue?
  • Why was it made? Inform, sell, persuade, entertain?
  • Evidence: data, quotes, examples — or just opinions?
  • Date: is it current enough for this topic?
  • Cross-check: can another trusted source confirm it?

Strong evidence sounds like…

  • “According to… (source), … (fact/data/quote).”
  • “This matters because… (reasoning).”
  • “A limitation of this source is… (bias/gaps).”

Printable: Evidence Evaluation Framework

🪞 Bias & Perspective

Bias is when a source leans a certain way. It doesn’t always mean “bad” — it means we have to read carefully.

Clues to bias

  • Very emotional language (rage, fear, shame)
  • Only one side is shown
  • Facts are missing or not linked
  • Images/headlines don’t match the evidence

Perspective prompts

  • Whose voice is loud here? Whose is missing?
  • What might different groups think?
  • What does our community know that outsiders might miss?

🧱 Build a Strong Argument (CER / PEEL)

CER

  • C — Claim: what you believe
  • E — Evidence: facts/data/quotes
  • R — Reasoning: explain how evidence proves the claim

PEEL

  • P — Point: main idea
  • E — Evidence: proof
  • E — Explain: meaning/impact
  • L — Link: connect back to the claim

Counterpoint

  • “Some people think… (counterpoint).”
  • “However, the evidence shows…”
  • “A fair compromise could be…”

🧨 Common Fallacies (Quick List)

Fallacies are “tricks” that make an argument sound strong even when the logic is weak.

Ad hominem

Attacking the person, not the idea.

Fix: “Let’s focus on the evidence.”

Straw man

Changing someone’s argument to an easier version.

Fix: “Can you restate their actual point?”

False cause

Assuming A caused B without proof.

Fix: “What else could explain it?”

Bandwagon

“Everyone thinks it, so it’s true.”

Fix: “What evidence supports it?”

Printable: Logical Fallacies Detection Guide

🌿 Tikanga Decision Path (Ethics in Action)

Goal: make decisions that protect people’s mana, strengthen relationships, and care for the environment.

  1. Name the kaupapa: What’s the real issue?
  2. Identify who is affected: Who might benefit? Who might be harmed?
  3. Choose key values: e.g., manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga, kotahitanga, rangatiratanga.
  4. Check the evidence: What do we know for sure? What is uncertain?
  5. Consider consequences: short-term and long-term for people and place.
  6. Consult and listen: Who should be asked? Who has lived experience?
  7. Decide + act: Choose the most tika option you can.
  8. Review: Did the outcome match the values? What would we change next time?

💬 Respectful Disagreement (Discussion Norms)

Do

  • Listen to understand first
  • Use evidence and explain your reasoning
  • Ask questions before challenging
  • Protect everyone’s mana

Avoid

  • Interrupting or mocking
  • “Gotcha” arguments
  • Exaggerating others’ views
  • Sharing private stories without permission

Useful phrases

  • “I agree with ___ because…”
  • “I see it differently because…”
  • “Can we check the source for that?”
  • “What would be a fair compromise?”

🗣️ Feedback Starters

Glow / Grow

  • Glow: Something strong about your evidence/reasoning…
  • Grow: One thing to improve next…

I notice / I wonder

  • I notice: (specific detail)…
  • I wonder: (curious question)…

Two Stars and a Wish

  • ⭐ Evidence strength
  • ⭐ Clear structure
  • ✨ Wish: a next improvement

🔗 Quick Links (Archive)

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