We start Logic as a distinct subject in 7th grade, but this is a study that needs to be synchronized with the individual student’s readiness. Something happens to a child between age 10-14 when their reasoning skills advance quickly from childishness to adult thinking. If this is overlooked or mismanaged by the teacher/parent, the child can be frustrated and turn those greatly enhancing reasoning skills into cynicism and disputation. If the parent is “on guard” and ready to challenge the student with material that requires this heightened reasoning ability, the student will thrive. So the timing of introducing logic study needs to be finely tuned to each child.
When the child is ready to appreciate higher reasoning, the first book to use is the delightful and fun Fallacy Detective, (see Review). The book has 36 lessons, each taking about 1/2 hour to complete. We recommend doing 1 or 2 lessons a week so you’ll complete the book in less than a full school year.
After Fallacy Detective, the student should immediately begin Introductory Logic (see Review). by Jim Nance and Douglas Wilson. The series has 20 video lessons with 28 exercise worksheets (some lessons use 2 exercises). The student should complete 1 or 2 lessons a week.
Together, Fallacy Detective and Introductory Logic will take more than the 36 weeks of the typical school year. Our schedules start these in 7th grade and they continue through early 8th grade. Again, keep in mind that the start of these studies should be driven by the student’s readiness which may be anytime in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. If you follow our schedule, we recommend continuing the Introductory Logic through the summer between 7th and 8th grade, as you would with your math curriculum. This will keep the student progressing rather than having to review terminology at the start of 8th grade after a long summer break.