Module 1
Seeing Patterns
The world contains patterns — but not every pattern is real.
- Patterns everywhere
- Classification and sequences
- Analogies
- Patterns in nature and behavior
- False patterns and superstition
Curriculum
Most critical thinking curricula teach children to spot fallacies, solve riddles, and argue more clearly. These are useful skills. But they are not the same as understanding how the world actually works.
The School's curriculum takes a different approach. Starting at age 8 and progressing through 16, it teaches children the five structures that govern reality — Patterns, Causality, Uncertainty, Models, and Decisions — building a mental foundation that improves every subject they study and every decision they will ever make. Three levels, nine modules, 52 lessons per module, one lesson per week. No specialist background required to teach.
Level 1
Discovering How the World Works
Children learn to see patterns, causes, and uncertainty for the first time. The goal is curiosity and basic structural awareness.
Module 2
Cause and Effect
Understanding something means understanding what produces it.
- Cause vs coincidence
- Mechanisms
- Simple experiments
- Chain reactions and multiple causes
- Testing ideas
Module 3
Chance and Uncertainty
Smart thinkers make better bets, not perfect predictions.
- Randomness and probability
- Coin flips and dice
- Good guesses vs bad guesses
- Luck vs skill
- Thinking under uncertainty
Level 2
Understanding Systems and Reasoning
Children move from isolated events to systems of interacting causes. They begin reasoning about complexity.
Module 4
Models and Explanations
Every explanation is a model of reality.
- Maps vs territory
- Assumptions and simplification
- Testing and improving models
- Limits of models
- Competing explanations
Module 5
Systems and Feedback
Systems behave differently from individual events.
- Feedback loops
- Equilibrium
- Unintended consequences
- Ecosystems, traffic, social systems
- Complex systems
Module 6
Human Behavior
People respond to incentives and environments.
- Incentives
- Cooperation and competition
- Social norms
- Decision psychology
Level 3
Applying Thinking to Real Decisions
Students use everything they have learned to navigate real problems — decisions, evidence, and the world at large.
Module 7
Decisions and Tradeoffs
Every decision involves tradeoffs.
- Opportunity cost
- Decision frameworks
- Risk vs reward
- Long-term thinking
Module 8
Truth and Evidence
Good thinking depends on good evidence.
- Evaluating claims
- Scientific reasoning
- Evidence vs opinion
- Prediction vs explanation
Module 9
Understanding the World
The world becomes understandable when you see its structure.
- Predicting outcomes
- Analyzing systems
- Evaluating policies
- Solving real problems
Free resource
Python Detective
An introductory coding course that teaches children (10 years of age and up) anaytical thinking through the programming language Python. Children learn to think analytically by writing real code, solving puzzles and doing fun projects. Free, browser-based, no installation required.
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Curriculum materials, lesson plans, and books are in development. Get in touch to be notified when they are available or to ask about live instruction and consultation.