| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Homeschooling by Subject Social Studies for Homeschoolers Philosophy by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2007 Textbooks, curriculum, and fun resources for young people... The study of philosophy includes topics such as ethics (right and wrong, morals, values), metaphysics (the nature of reality, man's place in the universe, spiritual issues), and logic (the principles of reasoning). Wikipedia has some nice definitions and histories of the studies of philosophy, metaphysics , and logic . I have included some kid-friendly texts, and other fun resources for learning about these topics. Some of the resources discuss religions and theology, but I have not included any religious doctrines or treatices on specific religions. If you are looking for resources on a specific religion, you can do a Google search for that religion and the words "for children" or "for kids". Some Basics Are Children Capable of Philosophical Thinking? by Michael Pritchard Why Philosophy for Children? from the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children Possible Structure for a Philosophy Session from Tuckswood Community First School -- suggestions for young children Ten Reasons NOT to do Philosophy by Tony Lynch, University of New England -- humorous and sarcastic essay for older students What Do Children Learn in Doing Philosophy? -- listing of skills by age Textbooks, Books, and Curriculum Cartoons for Thinking: Issues in Ethics and Values by Dr. Joseph Hester, and Dr. Don Killian Philosophy for Young Thinkers Program by Dr. Joseph Hester and Dr. Philip Vincent -- (K - 12) a comprehensive program that focuses on both critical thinking and the analysis of philosophical moral concepts. Little Big Minds by Marietta McCarty -- step-by-step guide to teaching kids how to think philosophically, `` full of excellent discussion questions, teaching tips, and group exercises. Relativity, Quanta, and Consciousness by Michael Clay Thompson Philosophy Rocks and The Philosophy Files by Stephen Law -- kid- friendly philosophy books Philosophy for Kids : 40 Fun Questions That Help You Wonder ... About Everything! by David A. White -- sections on values, knowledge, reality, and critical thinking, also mentions philosophers associated with each question The Philosophy Gym: 25 Short Adventures in Thinking by Stephen Law -- this book takes a philosophical look at some typical questions, such as Does God exist? What is knowledge? Can machines think?, the author is argues toward his own view. Note: also includes a few adult topics that may not be appropriate for younger students, the author also offers an online course by the same name thru Oxford University Continuing Education program Philosophy and the Young Child by Gareth Matthew DK: A Young Person's Guide to Philosophy by Jeremy Weate -- a nice introduction to the most famous western philosophers, this book can be used on different levels with different age students, from kids to adults Introducing Philosophy by Dave Robinson -- covers similar ground as the DK book (mentioned above) in a graphic novel form (not humorous) aimed at teens and adults, summaries of the major philosophers are brief and concise (though not as detailed as in the DK book), good overarching summaries of the history of philosophy and comparisons of schools of thought are included, a good springboard to studying particularly interesting philosophers in more depth Does the Center Hold? by Donald Palmer, a McGraw Hill textbook Poetry, Plato and the Problem of Beauty and Poetry, Plato and the Problem of Truth by Michael Clay Thompson -- weaves together threads of philosophy and poetry The Pop Culture and Philosophy Series for Open Court Press -- dozens of books that a fun look at the philosophy within popular cultural topics. Includes the philosophy of: Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, The Simpsons, Seinfeld, Baseball, The Beatles, U2, Monty Python, Hip Hop, The Matrix, Harry Potter, and many others. Fun and educational. The Tao Te Ching -- a free, abridged, audio version of ancient Chinese philosophical thought, attributed to Lao Tsu ("Old Master") Jade Purity -- a free poetic interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, more easily understood by children The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff -- a book which explains Taoism in terms of the attitudes and actions of Pooh and his friends, Understanding Daoism -- a 6th grade curriculum, activities include learning thru Monkey stories Zhuangzi Speaks by Chih-chung Ts'ai (Author), Brian Bruya (Translator) -- Taoist wisdom told thru stories in a comic book format Ecological Ethics: An Introduction by Patrick Curry -- a philosophical look at environmentalism Free Online Resources Philosophy Class - an online intro to philosophy by Thomas E. Wallenmaier You are Invited to the Philosopher's Tea Party -- fun discussion topics for younger children, from the University of Tasmania The Mathmagician's Circle -- philosophical discussion questions for kids, sample discussions give parents ideas on follow-up questions to ask Philosophy for Children: Philosophical Questions from Children's Stories from Mount Holy Oak College Philosophy for Kids from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst 5 Sources for Free Greek Philosophy Education Online - great list John Cleese Talks about Life and Philosophy -- short spots written for radio that can be used to begin discussions The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy -- free online collection of terms and texts, searchable by keyword or title Philosophy Timeline -- annotated timeline of western philosophy The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy -- free online articles, full text Kids Philosophy Slam -- an annual program and contest designed to make philosophy fun and accessible to all kids in grades K—12, helps promote critical thinking skills, encourages dialogue with other students and adults, kids submit their work (thru their teacher), $25 entry fee The Adventures of Philosopher's Island fom the Cheney Primary School Philosophy Group -- an exercise you can use at home Museum of Lost Wonder -- an interactive tour thru a metaphorical museum, compares concepts of philosophy to alchemy, beautiful music Other Resources ANU Faculty of Arts Philosophy Film Database -- over 500 film, plot summaries an key scenes, search by plot, theme, title A Lesson in Metaphysics from Nanny 911 by Steven Arthur No Dogs or Philosophers Allowed -- recorded episodes of a philosophy TV show available for purchase, includes topics such as love, art, euthanasia, genetic engineering, terrorism, evolution, ethics, etc. The Philosophical Gourmet Report -- a ranking of university philosophy departments, by philosophical specialty Related Issues The Code of the Debater: Introduction to the Way of Reason by Alfred C. Snider, University of Vermont -- a free online text that covers basic debating skills from Debate Central, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student by Edward Corbett -- this book is a classic, for serious writers looking for an introduction to argumentative logic and classical rhetoric, not light reading, often recommended for use with The Well-Trained Mind Grades 9 - 12 (following Classical Education) Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion by Jay Heinrichs -- a practical but humorous look at rhetoric with examples from unexpected contemporary figures, reviews and excerpts available Silva Rhetoricae: The Forest of Rhetoric by Brigham Young University -- a free online resource, examines the art of effective writing and speaking, "...a discipline for training students to become proficient in applying the resources of language..." |
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| The sum of human wisdom is not contained in any one language, and no single language is capable of expressing all forms and degrees of human comprehension. -Ezra Pound, poet (1885-1972) |