Archives: Philosophy ToolKit

Life Cycles

Notes on the documents in the Resource tab Introduction  Introduce the concept of “life cycles” to the class, highlighting that even though there are differences in the life cycles of various species, the general steps of birth, growth, reproduction, and death are involved in all living things’ life cycles.  Independent + Collaborative Thinking 

Keeping Power in Check #2

The Bill of Rights Materials: Print out the Bill of Rights Activity Sheet and cut along the dotted lines. Place the different Rights in strategic places in the room. Students should each have a pencil.  This lesson assumes that the students have some familiarity/ background knowledge on the topic already, including:  *Note: If you need Keeping Power in Check #2

Keeping Power in Check #1

Separation of Powers Materials: ~10 copies of the Constitution of the School Activity (see below); pencils  This lesson assumes that the students have some familiarity/ background knowledge on the topic already, including:  *Note: If you need to review this information for this lesson, Here are two good videos to use: one or two. I recommend Keeping Power in Check #1

Forms of Government

Introduce four (or five) primary forms of government The form of government our society uses is a very important decision that will determine who gets power, how laws are made, and who gets a say.  Democracy (Direct)  the people directly on everything; majority rules  Republic  the people vote to choose leaders who make decisions for Forms of Government

AI and Your Voice

Important Notes Regarding Implementation: Warm-Up: Discuss “Voice” Recommendation: Do not mention AI at the beginning of this lesson. They should first explore “voice” before thinking about how AI might play a role. Warm-Up Questions:You often hear people say: “It is important for everyone’s voices to be heard.” or “Use your voice to stand up for AI and Your Voice

History, Consequences, & Death

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, by Eleanor Coerr Plot Summary: This chapter book is based on a true story re-imagined by the author, Eleanor Coerr, and tells the tale of a young Japanese girl who ends up dying from leukemia. Her death is a result of the fallout from the atomic bombs dropped by History, Consequences, & Death

The Great Gatsby

Visualizing and Analyzing the American Dream through The Great Gatsby Facilitator: give students a full to half sheet of printer paper with a number on it (however many students are in class- for example, 15 students in class, put a number 1-15 on the sheets of paper. This keeps the students’ identity anonymous, and they The Great Gatsby