An Exercise about What Knowledge Is The full lesson plan is available as a PDF in the Lesson Attachment area above. Our whole education is organized around “buckets” of knowledge: “2+2 = 4” (math bucket); “Hydrogen is an element but water isn’t” (chemistry bucket); “Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809” (history bucket). But philosophy (and … What do you know?
Have students answer the prompt: “I am wondering, what’s the point of _______?” with as many responses as they can think of. Make a list of their answers and then vote for which ones the group would like to discuss first. Think together about what the point is of the thing in question. Might it … What’s the Point?
In the book Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, a group of animals refuse to produce for a farmer until he meets their demands. Read the story together (or watch a read aloud of the book online), then ask the children to make their own list of demands. Give them full freedom … What Are Your Demands?
Many 4th, 5th, and 6th graders have read the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio and will be familiar with Mr. Browne’s monthly precepts. These are inspirational sayings the teacher, Mr. Browne, puts on his board monthly for his students. For example, the precept for September is “When given a choice between being right or being … Mr. Browne’s Precepts
Using whatever piece of fruit you have available, ask if that fruit is dessert. With this simple prompt, a rich discussion about the nature of dessert will develop. Is anything you eat after a meal dessert? Is it dessert if you ate it without eating a meal first? Does something need to be done to … Is it Dessert?
This is an activity that works best with younger children (7-8 years old is ideal). There are several books that can prompt thinking about imaginary friends. You might try: These books can be used alone or one after another for a series of conversations about imaginary friends. You can read the book(s) and then ask … Thinking about Imaginary Friends
Philosophers question what others take for granted. Asking young people whether they know they have hands (or feet, eyes, or ears) can be a wonderful way to have fun while practicing careful thinking. Start by asking “Do you know you have hands?” If the child responds, “Of course I know I have hands!” you can … Do You Know You Have Hands?
Description: In this lesson, educators will ask students a number of questions about a sports team undergoing different types of hypothetical changes over the course of an offseason. The questions, which discuss player replacements, changes to uniform, and location switches, invite students to grapple with the question, “how much change has to occur over the … Philosophy of Teams
Are We Living in a Simulation, and What Would it Mean if the Answer is Yes? Begin the lesson with the two short videos in the Lesson Attachment linked above to get the students thinking and engaged in the lesson. Ask them to briefly reflect on the following questions (individual reflection): Do you agree or … Are We Living in a Simulation?
Have you ever dedicated the time to sit through a piece of music and simply listen to it? No distractions, no multitasking, just you and the music. Whether we’re aware of it or not, music is constantly around us, but quite often we don’t take the time to sit and listen. All music tells a … How Does Music Make a Character?
PLATO is part of a global UNESCO network that encourages children to participate in philosophical inquiry. As a partner in the UNESCO Chair on the Practice of Philosophy with Children, based at the Université de Nantes in France, PLATO is connected to other educational leaders around the world.
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