What+are+the+facts?

=**1. What are the facts? **= //**This shows they are informed, critical thinkers who seek the facts in order to take and support a position.**//

They show curiosity about the nature of things and ask the basic questions Who? What? When? Where? How? Keeping the boundaries clear between fact and opinion.

They want to build a foundation of information in order to understand, make sense of, and try to get to the bottom of issues and phenomena.

**Group discussion and problem-solving situations **
In group discussion and problem-solving situations, asking this question is essential as we strive for a group where all are operating with full information and transparency. When someone's contribution is unclear or questionable, others may ask clarifying questions to help get to a place of understanding.

In situations where emotions are running high, voices that are accustomed to say, "Whoa! What are the facts?" are needed. For others who are familiar with the 8 questions and the kind of informed democratic process they often accompany, asking this question provides the reminder to slow down and get the facts.

When a group attempts to operate in a democratic manner, it's important to ask who's missing, what perspective is missing, and what questions might the missing person raise? Similarly, is there an elephant in the room -- something important that all are reluctant to name? Do we have all the facts we need to make a wise decision?

**Skill Building**
How do you decide what is a fact? When do you have enough evidence that something **//is//** a fact? How do you unravel persuasive arguments to find "the facts". Is how you’re feeling a “fact”? What about intuition?

Throughout our educational program: we are modeling and teaching research  methods for finding facts and making first-hand discoveries; we are alerting students to framing and other subtle practices used to manipulate; we are exploring means of student empowerment that create an authentic need for accurate information.