Fallacy Detective and Escape Room Experts
In this class, we’ll work through The Fallacy Detective, a fun and engaging book that teaches kids how to spot faulty reasoning, misleading arguments, and logical fallacies. Through stories, discussion, and real-life examples using advertising, media, and some online content(suitable for school and age appropriate material), students will learn how to slow down, evaluate claims, and think things through instead of just accepting what they hear.
The goal isn’t to make our kids argumentative—it’s to make them thoughtful. We want them to be able to listen carefully, ask good questions, and recognize when someone is trying to persuade them with weak logic or how emotional appeals or misleading language can influence thinking.
Middle school is the perfect age for this. Kids are naturally curious and starting to form their own opinions about the world around them. This class gives them tools to think independently, communicate clearly, and defend their ideas respectfully.
Class time will include group discussions, examples from real life, and interactive activities that help make the concepts memorable and fun. As their reasoning skills grow, they’ll also discover that these same skills make them excellent problem solvers—turning them into escape room experts who can think through clues, patterns, and puzzles with confidence. Escape rooms will be included in the curriculum!
This class is charter school friendly.
COURSEWORK AT HOME
All coursework will be completed in class, whatever is not finished will be required to complete at home. Also, the studying of the fallacy terms will be required as this class will operate best when everyone knows what the terms mean and how to apply them.
REQUIRED CURRICULUM
Please purchase your own copy of The Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel Bluedorn & Hans Bluedorn. The students will be required to bring it to class every week.
https://www.rainbowresource.com/046013.html
CLASSROOM SUPPLIES
Please bring The Fallacy Detective to class every week. We will be reading from the book as a class and using the book to help learn and apply the terms that we are learning that week. As with referencing previous terms. Please also bring a pen/pencil to class. Everything else will be provided.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
First Semester: September 2, 2025 - January 15, 2026 .This one-hour course tuition is $200/semester plus a $15 material fee/semester.
Second Semester: January 20, 2026 - May 21, 2026
This one-hour course tuition is $200/semester plus a $15 material fee/semester.
Payments will be paid directly to ETHOS. They will provide you with payment information and schedules.
This class is charter school friendly.
MATERIAL FEE
The material fee is $15/year. This fee is due prior to the first day of instruction and acts as a non-refundable deposit for the class. This fee will cover various printed materials that will go home with the students at the end of the year.
Parent Partnership, Student Expectations & Classroom Culture
Middle School is an important season for students to grow in responsibility, organization, and independence. This class is designed to support that growth. At the same time, strong parent partnership remains essential.
Parent Partnership
Parents play a vital role in encouraging and supporting their students as they learn to manage assignments and develop strong study habits. Your encouragement, structure at home, and positive communication about school make a meaningful difference in your student’s success.
Parents are always welcome to contact me with any questions, concerns, or clarification needed throughout the year.
Classroom Culture & Expectations
I work to create a classroom that is positive, engaging, and enjoyable for students. At the same time, a strong learning environment depends on students treating each other with respect and staying focused during instruction.
When I’m giving directions or explaining something, students are expected to listen, avoid side conversations, and stay on task. There will absolutely be opportunities for students to talk and interact during activities, but those moments shouldn’t interrupt or replace learning time.
When we all work together to keep the classroom respectful, focused, and encouraging, it creates an environment where every student can learn effectively, feel supported, and enjoy being part of the class.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ashley Whiten
805-433-3907
While I try to stay attentive to my teaching email, please remember that I am also a homeschooling parent and there may be times that my response may be delayed.