Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | Scientific Thinking vs. Common Sense

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to establish a solid foundation for understanding the topic 'Scientific Thinking vs. Common Sense'. By clearly defining the objectives and describing what will be learned, students will have an overview of what to expect from the class and will be able to focus on the most important aspects of the content. This way, they will be better prepared to analyze and differentiate the organization and grounding of scientific thinking in relation to common sense throughout the lesson.

Main Objectives

1. Present the fundamental differences between scientific thinking and common sense.

2. Describe how scientific thinking is organized and grounded compared to common sense.

3. Provide clear examples that illustrate the distinction between scientific thinking and common sense.

Introduction

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

 Purpose: The purpose of this stage is to spark students' interest in the topic by contextualizing the importance of understanding the differences between scientific thinking and common sense. By establishing a connection with everyday reality and presenting curiosities, students will be more engaged and motivated to deepen their knowledge throughout the lesson.

Context

 Context: Start by explaining to students that humans have always sought to understand the world around them throughout history. From this quest, two distinct forms of knowledge have emerged: common sense and scientific thinking. Common sense is based on everyday experiences and traditions, while scientific thinking is systematic, grounded in evidence, and rigorous methods. Highlight that both are important but have different functions and characteristics.

Curiosities

 Curiosity: An interesting curiosity is that many inventions and discoveries that changed the world started with simple observations and questions posed by ordinary individuals. For example, the theory of universal gravitation was formulated after observing an apple falling from a tree. This shows how common sense can be the starting point for the development of scientific thinking.

Development

Duration: 50 - 60 minutes

 Purpose: The purpose of this stage is to deepen students' understanding of the differences between scientific thinking and common sense. By addressing detailed topics and providing practical examples, students will be able to critically analyze the characteristics and foundations of both types of knowledge. The proposed questions will help consolidate this learning, encouraging reflection and practical application of the discussed content.

Covered Topics

1.  Historical Context: Detail how scientific thinking and common sense evolved throughout history. Explain that common sense is an empirical knowledge passed down from generation to generation, while scientific thinking emerged with the Scientific Revolution and is based on systematic methods and experimentation. 2. 類 Definition and Characteristics of Common Sense: Explain that common sense is the knowledge everyone has, acquired through everyday experiences and traditions. It is subjective, intuitive, and not systematic. Provide examples such as popular sayings and beliefs that do not need scientific validation. 3.  Definition and Characteristics of Scientific Thinking: Explain that scientific thinking is a structured investigative process that seeks to understand the world through observation, experimentation, and rigorous analysis. It is objective, systematic, and grounded in evidence. Provide examples such as the Theory of Evolution and the Theory of Relativity. 4.  Scientific Methods: Detail the main methods of scientific thinking, such as observation, formulation of hypotheses, experimentation, analysis of results, and conclusion. Emphasize the importance of repeatability and peer review. 5. ⚖️ Comparison between Common Sense and Scientific Thinking: Conduct a direct comparison between the two types of knowledge, highlighting their differences in terms of objectivity, systematic nature, grounding, and applicability. Use a table or diagram to illustrate these differences clearly. 6.  Practical Examples: Present practical examples that illustrate the difference between common sense and scientific thinking. For example, discuss how the popular perception that the Earth is flat (common sense) was debunked by scientific evidence proving that the Earth is spherical (scientific thinking).

Classroom Questions

1. What is the main difference between common sense and scientific thinking in terms of grounding? 2. How does the scientific method contribute to the objectivity of scientific knowledge? 3. Give an example of a belief or practice based on common sense and explain how scientific thinking could approach it differently.

Questions Discussion

Duration: 20 - 25 minutes

 Purpose: The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' learning through discussion and reflection on the proposed questions. By reviewing and discussing the answers, students will have the opportunity to share their ideas, questions, and deepen their understanding of the differences between scientific thinking and common sense. This interaction promotes a collaborative and critical learning environment, essential for developing analytical and grounded thinking.

Discussion

• What is the main difference between common sense and scientific thinking in terms of grounding?

The main difference lies in methodology and grounding. Common sense is based on everyday experiences, traditions, and intuitions that are not necessarily verified or systematized. On the other hand, scientific thinking is based on rigorous methods, systematic observations, experimentation, and analysis of evidence. While common sense may be subjective and vary from culture to culture, scientific thinking seeks objectivity and universality, being subject to verification and repetition by other researchers.

• How does the scientific method contribute to the objectivity of scientific knowledge?

The scientific method contributes to the objectivity of knowledge by following rigorous and systematic steps, including observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, analysis of results, and conclusion. These steps ensure that the knowledge produced is based on verifiable evidence and not on subjective opinions. The repeatability of experiments and peer review are also fundamental to ensure that results are objective and reliable.

• Give an example of a belief or practice based on common sense and explain how scientific thinking could approach it differently.

An example of a belief based on common sense is the idea that bathing after meals may cause indigestion. This belief is not based on scientific evidence but rather on traditions and personal experiences. Scientific thinking, on the other hand, would investigate this claim through controlled studies, experimentation, and data analysis to determine if there is any real correlation or cause between bathing after meals and indigestion. To date, there is no scientific evidence that supports this popular belief.

Student Engagement

1. Can you give other examples of popular beliefs that contrast with scientific discoveries? 2. How might the understanding of the importance of the scientific method influence the way you perceive information and news in your daily life? 3. If you were scientists, what common sense question would you like to investigate and why? 4. How do you think common sense can positively or negatively influence scientific development? 5. In what daily situations do you perceive the simultaneous application of scientific thinking and common sense?

Conclusion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to summarize the main points addressed in the lesson, reinforcing students' understanding and retention of the content. This helps consolidate learning, connect theory with practice, and highlight the importance of the topic, ensuring that students leave the lesson with a clear and applied understanding of scientific thinking and common sense.

Summary

• Humans have always sought to understand the world around them, resulting in the development of common sense and scientific thinking.
• Common sense is based on everyday experiences, traditions, and intuitions, being subjective and not systematic.
• Scientific thinking is structured, grounded in evidence, observation, experimentation, and rigorous analysis, seeking objectivity and universality.
• Scientific methods include observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, analysis of results, and conclusion, ensuring repeatability and peer verification.
• Differences between common sense and scientific thinking were compared in terms of objectivity, systematic nature, grounding, and applicability.
• Practical examples were presented to illustrate how scientific thinking debunks popular beliefs based on common sense.

The lesson connected theory with practice by presenting concrete and everyday examples where scientific thinking differs from common sense. By discussing real cases and curiosities, students could visualize how the scientific method is applied in practice and how it contrasts with unfounded beliefs of common sense.

Understanding the difference between scientific thinking and common sense is crucial in daily life, as it allows students to develop critical and grounded thinking. By recognizing the importance of the scientific method, they will be better prepared to analyze information, question popular beliefs, and make evidence-based decisions, which is essential in a society flooded with information and news.