Mistake Detective
Choose real or fictional examples. Skip private details; never include passwords, medical information or contact details.
Learning goal: Separate facts from harsh self-talk and use a mistake to plan a next try.
Sam builds a paper bridge and it falls during the test. Sam thinks, “I ruin everything; I should quit.” A detective looks for evidence before reaching a conclusion. Investigate Sam’s mistake, then decide what a useful next try could be.
- Read Sam’s bridge scenario.
- Separate what happened from what Sam assumed.
- Find one thing the test taught Sam.
- Write a supportive, believable thought and a next experiment.
1. Facts or harsh self-talk?
Mark F for an observable fact or T for a thought. Rewrite thoughts as fair observations.
| Statement | F / T | Fair observation |
|---|---|---|
| The bridge fell in the test. | ||
| I ruin everything. | ||
| This design needs a change. | ||
| I should never build again. |
2. What the evidence tells me
You do not need to know the exact cause yet. Choose something Sam can test.
Mistake Detective · Practice & next steps
Continue your ideas from page 1. Write, draw, use symbols or ask someone to scribe. Share only what you choose.
3. A kinder next try
Replace the harsh thought with something truthful, not pretend-perfect.
My next step
When a try does not work, I can ask…
Optional stretch · Grades 6–8
List two competing explanations for the failure. Design a fair test that changes only one variable.