Philosophy Commons^™

03. Getting Our Thoughts Together: Instructional Manual To Accompany 'Elfie', Second Edition, Matthew Lipman

Early Elementary School Curriculum

The cognitive skills emphasized in Elfie – distinction-making and connection-making – are those on which all-subsequent reasoning rests. They are accompanied by the criteria that are appropriate to them: sameness and difference. Other operations like the making of comparisons, the discovery of uniformities, the identification of classes, the formation of concepts, and the formulation of definition, all depend upon the logical infrastructure of these two sets of skills and criteria. Elfie should therefore be seen as the base of the Philosophy for Children program.

20. Piksi (Slovenian Translation Of Pixie Novel), Matthew Lipman

Early Elementary School Curriculum

Piksi je osnovnošolka, ki je zmedena in navdušena nad številnimi vidiki svoje izkušnje. Ta roman poudarja odnose (logične, družbene, družinske, estetske, vzročne, del-celota, matematične itd.) kot tudi kompetenco pri obravnavanju takih odnosov. Etični koncepti vključujejo rivalstvo med sorojenci, osebnost, spoštovanje drugih, prijateljstvo, skrivnosti, držanje obljub, odnose med staršem in otrokom, poslušnost, draženje in avtonomijo.

(2003) Transforming How Teachers Teach And How Students Learn, Laurance J. Splitter

Collected Papers of Laurance J. Splitter

For some time, I have been interested in taking the idea of the community of inquiry (COI) beyond the context of philosophy and philosophy for children, to other subject areas and learning areas. We sometimes speak in impressively general terms about transforming "the classroom" into a community of inquiry assuming, perhaps, that once the practice of collective inquiry is established in one domain (eg philosophy), it will inevitably spread to others by the community itself. Another, somewhat more provocative way of stating this claim is to say that not only can subjects other than philosophy be taught as modes or …

(2003) Power, Manipulation, And Control In A Community Of Inquiry, Pavel Lushyn, David K. Kennedy

Collected Papers of David Kennedy

In a previous paper, we introduced the notion of pedagogical imposition, and argued for its importance in understanding the psychodynamics of community of inquiry (CI). Practitioners of Cl usually define themselves as engaged in a liberatory pedagogy - that is, a form of teaching which avoids imposition on or manipulation of students. This paper will argue that, if we view the classroom as a system, this is a naive assumption. This argument is based, in turn, on our assumption that, first, any interactive system involves relations of power; and second, that any specifically pedagogical system involves unequal relations of power. …

(2003) Notes From The Field: Card Games, Roughhousing, Traffic Jams & Thunderstorms, David K. Kennedy

Collected Papers of David Kennedy

The following discussion was recorded in April 2003 in a second grade classroom at Edgemont School, Montclair, New Jersey. it was one of a series of 16 conversations on the topic of "conflict," conducted in two second grades and two fifth grades, and led by three separate facilitators. This conversation was facilitated by David Kennedy, a faculty member at Montclair State University and staff member of the IAPC.

Three Stories You Can Read To Your Cat (1997) By Sara Swan Miller, Gareth B. Matthews

Picture Books

When a cat's human friend leaves the house and tells it to be good, the cat does many things it considers good, like shredding the curtains, eating a house plant, and digging into the garbage. In this review, originally published in Thinking: The Journal of Philosophy for Children 16(4), 2003, Gareth B. Matthews demonstrates that young children can understand and enjoy the irony of sarcasm. They also enjoy grappling with the story's philosophical irony: the problem of clarifying the difficult question of what makes an action good or bad.

12. Ліля (Lilya: Ukrainian Translation Of Elfie Novel), Matthew Lipman

Early Elementary School Curriculum

Ліля йде в перший клас і така сором'язлива, що не може говорити на уроці і навіть не може сформулювати запитання. Але мало що вислизає від неї, і її розум ламає голову над усім, що відбувається в класі та вдома. Коли директор пропонує конкурс, спрямований на вдосконалення міркувань, увесь її клас займається з’ясуванням того, як працюють речення та як створюються відмінності та зв’язки. У той же час Елфі та її однокласники виявляють багато відмінностей, фундаментальних для дослідження: видимість і реальність, одне і багато, частини і ціле, подібність і відмінність, постійність і зміна.

21. Руся (Rusya: Ukrainian Translation Of Pixie Novel), Matthew Lipman

Early Elementary School Curriculum

Руся — учениця початкової школи, яку спантеличили та захопили багато аспектів її досвіду. У цьому романі наголошується на взаємозв’язках (логічних, соціальних, сімейних, естетичних, причинно-наслідкових, частково-цілих, математичних тощо), а також на компетентності у вирішенні таких зв’язків. Етичні концепції включають суперництво між братом і сестрою, особистість, повагу до інших, дружбу, таємниці, дотримання обіцянок, стосунки між батьками та дітьми, слухняність, дражниння та автономію. Читачі знайдуть сторінки Руся, усипані філософськими ідеями та головоломками, які спонукають до жвавих роздумів у класі. У тексті є кілька порожніх сторінок, на яких маленькі читачі можуть спробувати свої сили в ілюструванні книжок.

13. Поміркуймо Разом: Посібник Для Викладачів. Додаток До “Ліля” Частина І [Let’S Think Together: A Guide For Teachers. Supplement To “Lila” Part I], Matthew Lipman, Ann Gazzard

Early Elementary School Curriculum

Когнітивні навички, які наголошуються в Ліля – розрізнення та встановлення зв’язків – це ті навички, на яких ґрунтується подальше міркування. Вони супроводжуються відповідними їм критеріями: однаковість і відмінність. Інші операції, такі як проведення порівнянь, виявлення одноманітності, ідентифікація класів, формування понять і формулювання визначення, все залежить від логічної інфраструктури цих двох наборів навичок і критеріїв. Тому Ліля слід розглядати як основу програми «Філософія для дітей».

14. Поміркуймо Разом: Посібник Для Викладачів. Додаток До “Ліля” Частина Іi [Let’S Think Together: A Guide For Teachers. Supplement To “Lila” Part Ii], Matthew Lipman, Ann Gazzard

Early Elementary School Curriculum

Когнітивні навички, які наголошуються в Ліля – розрізнення та встановлення зв’язків – це ті навички, на яких ґрунтується подальше міркування. Вони супроводжуються відповідними їм критеріями: однаковість і відмінність. Інші операції, такі як проведення порівнянь, виявлення одноманітності, ідентифікація класів, формування понять і формулювання визначення, все залежить від логічної інфраструктури цих двох наборів навичок і критеріїв. Тому Ліля слід розглядати як основу програми «Філософія для дітей».

22. У Пошуках Значення: Методичний Посібник Для Вчителя До Підручника “Руся” [Looking For Meaning: A Teacher's Guide To The Novel "Rusya"], Matthew Lipman, Ann Margaret Sharp

Early Elementary School Curriculum

Філософські вправи в цьому посібнику пропонують практику узагальнення, класифікації, розробки понять, порівняння, пропонування контрприкладів, використання аналогій і протиріч. Навички міркування використовуються в письмових вправах і для покращення суджень студентів. Плани обговорення допомагають студентам досліджувати філософські концепції, які є центральними для їхнього досвіду, такі як дружба, сім’я, чесність і автономія. Усі навички міркування та філософські концепції пояснюються нетехнічною мовою.

(2002) Nakeesha And Jesse (Philosophical Story), Ann Margaret Sharp

Collected Papers of Ann Margaret Sharp

Jesse doesn't understand when Nakeesha says that some kinds of touching aren't nice, until Nakeesha tells the story of what happened to her.

(2002) Philosophy For Children In China: A Late Preliminary Anti-Report, David K. Kennedy, Walter Omar Kohan

Collected Papers of David Kennedy

We were part of a group of five academics visiting China in July 2000, in order to conduct two workshops in Philosophy for Children in two widely disparate cities - Kunming, in the ethnically diverse, far-from-Beijing southeastern province of Yunnan; and Shanghai, long known as the city where East meets West. Although we could not even read street signs, much less speak at all except through the kindness of interpreters, yet we sensed that Kunming and Shanghai were two different realities of contemporary China. The workshop in Kunming was conducted at the Southern Railway School, where P4C is being spearheaded …

6. Geraldo (Novel), Ann Margaret Sharp

Later Elementary School Curriculum

Migrating to a new country brings about enormous changes in Geraldo's life. Not only is there a new language to learn, but Geraldo must make new friends and adjust to significant cultural differences.

7. Discovering Our Voice: A Manual To Accompany 'Geraldo', Ann Margaret Sharp, Laurance J. Splitter

Later Elementary School Curriculum

Geraldo is a story about what an immigrant undergoes when he leaves one culture and tries to 'join' another culture. An immigrant suffers a triple disruption: he loses his sense of place, he enters into an alien language, and he finds himself surrounded by beings whose social behavior, norms and traditions are very unlike, and sometimes even offensive to his own. The explanation of the leading ideas in this manual help students and teachers explore the philosophical themes in Geraldo. The discussion plans, exercises, and activities are designed to foster and cultivate the process of philosophical dialogue in the classroom.

3. The Doll Hospital (Novel), Ann Margaret Sharp

Preschool Curriculum

When Jess's doll Roller needs to make a trip to the doll hospital, Jess is worried that Roller won't look the same when she comes home. What Jess doesn't realize is that Roller's trip to the doll hospital will trigger a special change in their relationship. Together with the companion teacher's manual Making Sense of My World, The Doll Hospital is a wonderful introduction for children to philosophical thought.

4. Making Sense Of My World: Teacher Manual For 'The Doll Hospital', Ann Margaret Sharp, Laurance J. Splitter

Preschool Curriculum

Through a range of exercises and discussion plans, Making Sense of My World helps teachers encourage children to think more deeply about the world around them, and to explore the philosophical concepts attached to their daily experience. What makes something real? What makes a 'best' friend? Together with the companion novel The Doll Hospital, Making Sene of My World is an ideal starting point for primary school children and philosophy.

(2000.1) The Doll Hospital (Novel), Ann Margaret Sharp

Collected Papers of Ann Margaret Sharp

When Jess's doll Roller needs to make a trip to the doll hospital, Jess is worried that Roller won't look the same when she comes home. What Jess doesn't realize is that Roller's trip to the doll hospital will trigger a special change in their relationship. Together with the companion teacher's manual Making Sense of My World, The Doll Hospital is a wonderful introduction for children to philosophical thought.

(2000.3) Geraldo (Novel), Ann Margaret Sharp

Collected Papers of Ann Margaret Sharp

Migrating to a new country brings about enormous changes in Geraldo's life. Not only is there a new language to learn, but Geraldo must make new friends and adjust to significant cultural differences.

(2000.2) Making Sense Of My World: Instructional Manual To Accompany 'Pixie' (Teacher Manual), Ann Margaret Sharp, Laurance J. Splitter

Collected Papers of Ann Margaret Sharp

Through a range of exercises and discussion plans, Making Sense of My World helps teachers encourage children to think more deeply about the world around them, and to explore the philosophical concepts attached to their daily experience. What makes something real? What makes a 'best' friend? Together with the companion novel The Doll Hospital, Making Sene of My World is an ideal starting point for primary school children and philosophy.

(2000.4) Discovering Our Voice: Instructional Manual To Accompany 'Geraldo', Ann Margaret Sharp, Laurance J. Splitter

Collected Papers of Ann Margaret Sharp

Geraldo is a story about what an immigrant undergoes when he leaves one culture and tries to 'join' another culture. An immigrant suffers a triple disruption: he loses his sense of place, he enters into an alien language, and he finds himself surrounded by beings whose social behavior, norms and traditions are very unlike, and sometimes even offensive to his own. The explanation of the leading ideas in this manual help students and teachers explore the philosophical themes in Geraldo. The discussion plans, exercises, and activities are designed to foster and cultivate the process of philosophical dialogue in the classroom.

(2000) Concepts, Communities And The Tools Of Good Thinking, Laurance J. Splitter

Collected Papers of Laurance J. Splitter

There is a strong connection, both pedagogic and conceptual, between the discipline of philosophy and the practice of thinking – or more precisely, the normative practice of good thinking. An understanding of this connection lends weight to the argument that philosophy needs to be a regular part of the educational landscape, not just for a tiny minority of college students, but for the overwhelming majority of school students – younger the better. Philosophical inquiry has three dimensions: an appropriate classroom environment (patterns of interaction), appropriate tools and strategies (specific cognitive and meta-cognitive moves), and content which is intriguing and accessible …

(2000) Making Sense Of My World: Teacher Manual For 'The Doll Hospital', Ann Margaret Sharp, Laurance J. Splitter

Collected Papers of Laurance J. Splitter

Through a range of exercises and discussion plans, Making Sense of My World helps teachers encourage children to think more deeply about the world around them, and to explore the philosophical concepts attached to their daily experience. What makes something real? What makes a 'best' friend? Together with the companion novel The Doll Hospital, Making Sene of My World is an ideal starting point for primary school children and philosophy.

Download The Doll Hospital novel here.

(2000) Thinking, Inquiry And Community: Teacher Perspectives On Philosophy For Children: Part I, Laurance J. Splitter

Collected Papers of Laurance J. Splitter

This report is the first part of a longer Report into the state of Philosophy for Children in Australia gathered from data collected in 1994-5. It gives a picture of the early spread of P4C in this country and how teachers approached their task. The second part of the Report appears in the next issue of Critical and Creative Thinking.

(2000) Thinking, Inquiry And Community: Teacher Perspectives On Philosophy For Children: Part Ii, Laurance J. Splitter

Collected Papers of Laurance J. Splitter

This report is the second part of a longer Report into the state of Philosophy for Children in Australia gathered from data collected in 1994-5. It gives a picture of the early spread of P4C in this country and how teachers approached their task. The first part of the Report appears in the previous issue of Critical and Creative Thinking.

(2000) The Psychodynamics Of Community Of Inquiry And Educational Reform: A Cross-Cultural Perspective, Pavel Lushyn, David K. Kennedy

Collected Papers of David Kennedy

Community of inquiry is a ''whole" pedagogy, in that it recognizes the systemic nature of group process, the congruence of personal and social systems, and the identity-in-difference of thought and feeling, self and other, and individual and group. Above all it recognizes the fundamental urge-however tortuous and conflicted in its outworking-of both individual and social systems for self-actualizing transformation; for the chaotic passage to higher, both more inclusive and more diversified, levels of integration. In this regard it provides a deep-structural theory, not just for the democratic personality, but for democratic systems as well. It produces individuals who are capable …

(2000) Notes From The Field: Where Was The Doll Before It Was In The Dollmaker’S Mind?, David K. Kennedy, Matthew Schertz

Collected Papers of David Kennedy

The following discussion took place in November 1999, in a first-grade classroom at Edgemont School in Montclair, New Jersey. It was led by David Kennedy, a professor at Montclair State University, and Matthew Schertz, a doctoral student at lAPC, and transcribed by Andrew Kenny and Henry Minarick, who are Masters of Education students at Montclair State University.

Lipman, Wilde (1999) An Interview With Matthew Lipman, Matthew Lipman, Carolyn Wilde

IAPC Written Histories

In this interview, Matthew Lipman describes his background in philosophy, his decades teaching at Columbia University, and how he became interested in philosophy for children. He discusses the work of the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children and why philosophy is important for children's education.

Wild Boy (1998) By Mordicai Gerstein, Gareth B. Matthews

Picture Books

Once there was a boy who lived alone, without a mother or father or any friends, in a forest in Southern France. He was naked. He didn’t even know what clothes were. He didn’t know he was a boy. He didn’t know what people were. He was wild. When a group of hunters discovered the boy, they delivered him to scientists in Paris, who eventually gave up trying to communicate with him. The boy was taken in by Dr. Itard and his housekeeper, Madame Guerin, who taught him to dress himself, to read and write simple words, and help around …

(1999) Thinking For Oneself And With Others, David K. Kennedy

Collected Papers of David Kennedy

The most distinctive feature of the theory and practice of community of philosophical inquiry, which at first glance appears contradictory, is how it promotes both communal, intersubjective meaning and thinking for oneself. Typically we think of the two as, if not opposed, then not particularly related. Thinking for oneself is usually associated with 18th century Western Enlightenment - the automatic problematization of collectively held beliefs - skepticism, and individualism. Community is usually associated with the affirmation of collectively held beliefs and assumptions, and with the necessary sacrifice of individual opinion for a greater good. Human dialogue is the intersubjective location …