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Spark & Whetstonethe grown-up commons

← Answering a Why · Lesson 3 of 5

Say what is known and what is guessed

Grown-up answers often mix three things: what is known, what is a good guess, and what nobody knows. Children can hear the difference if we say it.

Short tags do it: “Scientists have measured this.” “This is my guess.” “Nobody knows yet.” A child who hears these learns that an answer comes with a how-sure, and that “nobody knows” is a real answer too.

One question

Which answer to “Did dinosaurs drink our water?” says how sure it is?

Say it back
A lesson is kept once you've answered the question and written at least 8 words. Nobody grades it; it stays on this device.