How to Teach Syllogisms to Middle Grades

Learning syllogisms can be fun.

Teaching abstract logical concepts to students in middle grades can be challenging, but learning to understand and complete syllogisms helps lay the foundation for vital critical thinking skills. Students who master this concept will be better prepared for many of their high school classes, including math and English. A few simple strategies can give parents, teachers and tutors the confidence to tackle syllogisms with any middle school student.

Instructions

1. Give students the definition of a syllogism in general terms. This is a good time to explain why this concept will be useful in the future, such as when they're writing proofs in geometry class or evaluating ideas in literature classes. Don't feel like you need to spend a lot of time on the general concept; most students will need examples before they understand.

2. Make it personal. A good way to reduce student anxiety about a new concept is by showing them how they're already using it, and explaining that all you're really doing is teaching them a new way to look at the process. Work through a sample syllogism that is relevant to their lives; for example, "Students must do their homework to get an A. Suzy is a student who did not do her homework. Therefore, Suzy will not get an A." If the students seem to grasp this, you can help them come up with their own examples.

3. Provide examples of invalid syllogisms. Use relevant examples and explain why they are not valid. For students in middle grades, keep your examples basic and simple to understand, such as "Some students do not do their homework. Johnny is a student. Therefore, Johnny does not do his homework." Most students can clearly understand the distinction between "some" and "all" in the example.

4. Prepare a worksheet of silly syllogisms. Provide the students with the major and minor premises, and have them come up with a valid conclusion. Funny or silly syllogisms reduce the potential for frustration, and students are more likely to remember them when it comes time to complete homework or take a test on the subject.

5. Have students create their own complete syllogisms. Depending on their mastery level, you may want to have students work in pairs or small groups to complete this activity. For extra challenge, you can also have them come up with invalid syllogisms and explain why they do not work.

Tips & Warnings

• Students often get frustrated with their first attempts to complete or create a valid syllogism. You may want to consider breaking this lesson into two or more sessions in order to reduce frustration levels.

References

• Cerritos College: Argument and Critical Thinking Tutorial
• Florida Atlantic University: Facts About Syllogisms