This handbook explains how to credibly debunk misinformation, while also explaining how and why misinformation is circulated.
Students will learn about the damage misinformation can do, where misinformation comes from, how misinformation sticks, how to strategically debunk misinformation, the backfire effect, and specific strategies for debunking.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This resource is a thorough guide to debunking misinformation.
The structure of the resource is helpful and includes charts and word banks that will help explain new concepts to students.
Additional Prerequisites
Students would benefit from background knowledge of misinformation, persuasive techniques, and rhetoric.
Differentiation
This resource would work well in any class that is discussing how to speak with people about things that aren't completely true. This can include health classes talking about making healthy choices, social studies classes talking about political discussions, language arts classes working on debate, or science classes discussing climate change.
After working through the resource, give out examples of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation and allow students to practice debunking. You may need to model this initially. Then, have students find their own examples and write out or record their debunking responses.
As an extension, for students who are advanced and mature enough, encourage them to use this guide to have debunking conversations in the real world and report back to the class.
Scientist Notes
This is a guide to managing misinformation, disinformation, and climate myths. It would help to verify climate information from credible sources. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
English Language Arts
Reading (K-12)
R.6-8.7 Interpret words and phrases as they are used in various texts, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
R.9-12.5 Provide an accurate summary of various texts; determine the central idea(s) or theme(s) and analyze its development throughout each text.
R.9-12.8 Analyze the structure of various texts, including how the features and components relate to each other and the whole.
Speaking and Listening (K-12)
SL.6-8.2 Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
SL.6-8.3 Present information and supporting evidence appropriate to task, purpose, and audience so listeners can follow the line of reasoning and incorporate multimedia when appropriate.
SL.9-12.3 Present information and supporting evidence appropriate to task, purpose, and audience so listeners can follow the line of reasoning and incorporate multimedia when appropriate.
