Scooby Doobie Doo, who,
what, when, and where are
you?
An Introduction to
Skeptical Thinking.
Scooby and the Gang are
skeptics.
Based on what you know
about Scooby, what do
you think a skeptic is?
Vocabulary
• Skeptic: a person who questions or doubts accepted
opinions.
• Skepticism: an approach to evaluating claims, or
a person’s position on a topic, that emphasizes
evidence and applies tools of science.
• The Skeptical process considers evidence
obtained by systematic observations and
reason.
• The conclusion that is reached at the end of this
process is subject to change, because additional
or better evidence may come along that points
towards a more suitable explanation.
Today we will focus on just a few ways
skeptics analyze information:
Asking
Questions
Paying
attention to
details
Considering the source
of the information
Now, let’s think of ways
we use skeptical thinking
…
Pretend you are
going on a trip.
What do you need to ask
(know) to plan what you
will take?
Think the 4 Ws + H:
• Who
• What
• Where
• Why
• How
You are online and see
a story about a candy
that, if eaten daily,
prevents cavities.
Your first reaction is to say,
“Awesome! Where can I buy
it?”
But you know better, right?
What do you do next?
Think the 4 Ws + H:
Who
What
Where Why
How
You want the latest version
of your favorite game.
You are watching your favorite show and a
commercial comes on. The new game price is
very low compared to the prices you saw at
the store and online.
What questions should you ask to be sure
this is a legitimate sale?
Think the 4 Ws + H:
Who What Where
Why
How
Let’s review the
strategies that
we’ve talked about:
• WHO is giving you
information and what
motivated them.
• Ask Questions,
questions, and more
questions.
• Pay attention to details.
Let’s watch a few
minutes of a Scooby
Doo episode. Keep
your eyes open!
Episode Analysis:
Who What When
Where, Why, How?
• Who are the characters?
• What is the mystery they
need to solve?
• Why do the kids think there
is a ghost? What did you see
or hear that makes you say
that?
• What was really going on?
What did you see or hear
that makes you say that?
Scooby and the
Gang?
• Who told them the house was
haunted?
• Why did he tell them the house was
haunted? What was his motivation?
• They used skepticism to solve the
mystery of the haunted house by
asking questions, paying attention
to details and discovering who was
“haunting” the house and why.
Now that we’ve
practiced skeptical
thinking, remember to
use it to find answers to
your questions.
As Velma says:
“There’s a very logical
explanation for all this.”
“Scooby
Doobie Doo!”
Now, how about some
Scooby Snacks?
Teacher Notes
• This lesson is and introduction to skeptical thinking. It is about an hour in
length including the Scooby Doo episode. This lesson is recommended for
children grades 1-5.
• There are worksheets that accompany the discussion slides 8-10. These could
be completed individually or in small groups.
• I recommend Scooby Doo Where are You? Season 2 Episode 5 “Haunted House
Hang up”. I purchased this on Amazon Prime Video ($1.99) and downloaded it.
I show this after we discuss the vocabulary on slide 3 and the strategies on
slide 4.
RL 1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or
lesson.
ELA Common
Core Standards
Grades 1-5
RL 2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to
demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RI 2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to
demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RL. 3. 1. Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring
explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
RI. 3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly
to the text as the basis for the answers.
RL and RI 4.1Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when
drawing inferences from the text.
W.5.9.A Apply grade 5 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast two or
more characters, settings, or events in a story or a drama, drawing on specific details in the
text [e.g., how characters interact]”).
W.5.9.B. Apply grade 5 Reading standards to informational texts (e.g., “Explain how an
author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which
reasons and evidence support which point[s]”).
Elementary Standards
• Reading/Viewing
• Explain how setting, events, conflict, and character development
contribute to the plot in a literary text. Analyze an author’s purpose
and/or perspective in an informational text.
Explain an author’s claim and the reasons and evidence used to
support the claim.
• Context and connotation:
• Use context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference
materials, and/or background knowledge to determine the meaning.
Resources and References
• Kenny Biddle is a science enthusiast who investigates claims of
paranormal experiences, equipment, photos, and video. He promotes
science, critical thinking, and skepticism through his blog I Am Kenny
Biddle. He frequently hosts workshops on how to deconstruct and
explain paranormal photography.
Email – parainvestigator@comcast.net
This slide was
created by Kenny
Biddle (see
previous slide).
This was used as
a reference.
Resources and References
• Instagram Scams
• https://us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/instagram-scams#
• 6 false Advertising Scandals You Can Learn From.
• https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/6-falseadvertising-scandals-you-can-learn-from/314326
use is the subject of a documentary.
This lesson is brought to you by
Generation
Skeptics
GenSkeps aims to develop and foster an understanding
of the world through inquiry-based learning.
We provide material to complement and enhance existing science and
educational programs.
The Generation Skeptics Program is a program of the Center for Inquiry.
Check out the Generation Skeptics Website