In This Series Philosophy For Young Thinkers (Foundation Volume) Philosophy For Young Thinkers Teacher's Manual, K-3 About Me: 21 Cards for Kindergarten Living Together: Student Book for First Grade My Expanding World (Student Book for 2nd Grade) But, I'm Different (Student Book for 3rd Grade) Philosophy Teacher's Manual: Grades 4-6 The Human Community (Student Book for 4th Grade) The Great Experiment (Student Book for 5th Grade) The Global Village (Student Book for 6th Grade) Philosophy Teacher's Manual: Grades 7-9 Human Configuration (Student Book for 7th Grade) Beat Him If He Sneezes (Student Book for 8th Grade) No Think/Non Think (Student Book for 9th Grade)

Philosophy For Young Thinkers Program

By Dr. Joseph Hester and Dr. Philip Vincent

The major thrust of the early childhood section (K-3) is to encourage youngsters to explore fundamental philosophical concepts.

Primary Kindergarten explorations begin with the concept of self—one’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviors About Me—and continues at Level I by discussing the essential aspects of Living Together. At Level II, the child’s Expanding World—family, friends, community and natural environment are in focus. In Level III, But, I’m Different, there is a return to the self with a closer look at individual differences and individual uniqueness.

In Level Four the focus of inquiry is on The Human Community. The problems and dimensions of humans when living in association with one another is studied in 21 lessons. Level Five, The Great Experiment, studies the concepts of democracy. The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States of America are included. Concepts include human rights, equality, freedom, justice and popular sovereignty. The activities of Level Six, The Global Village, foster in the child an awareness of human beings, in all their variance, who live on planet Earth. In the search for global harmony and moral equilibrium, environmental and animal rights issues are included.

The questions found in the study of metaphysics form the framework of Levels 7-9. Human Configurations confronts the nature of the self, including the problems of free-will and human responsibility, and asks these questions: (1) Is man more than a complex machine? (2) Can we draw a distinction between the way things appear and how they really are? (3) When, if ever, is it reasonable to hold individuals responsible for their actions? Beat Him If He Sneezes focuses on values, moral principles and moral decision making. Major questions here are: (1) Who makes moral decisions and how? (2) Who and what should I care about? In the Ninth Level, Wrong Think/Non-Think the student studies the meaning of the assumptions and concept of knowledge. Questions are (1) How can we determine what facts are true? (2) What is real and not real, (3) What can I say I know for sure?

Each level ends with a section on Extensions and Discussion Starters and Suggestions for Further Readings.

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Philosophy For Young Thinkers (Foundation Volume)

A K-12 Curriculum to enable you to teach philosophy and ethics and the foundation volume for the whole Philosophy For Young Thinkers program. It is thought provoking, meaningful, controversial and exciting. It overviews the major philosophical schools of thought and explanations of the conceptual schemes utilized in ethical and rational problem solving. It presents more than 20 intensive Philosophical Problem Sheets to involve the student in current issues of critical, moral and ethical concern: the ethics of science and medicine; religion, world hunger, technology and automation, urban planning, the military, our environment. Students must utilize critical, analytic and creative thinking skills, and divergent approaches to philosophy.

This volume may be used alone or as a superb background for any grade level or levels within the program series. It is not intended as a replacement for any of the grade-specific instructor’s manuals. Definition of Terms and Bibliography included. This is the Second and Revised Edition of a classic teaching resource.

Philosophy For Young Thinkers Teacher's Manual, K-3

About Me: 21 Cards for Kindergarten

Living Together: Student Book for First Grade

My Expanding World (Student Book for 2nd Grade)

But, I'm Different (Student Book for 3rd Grade)

Philosophy Teacher's Manual: Grades 4-6

The Human Community (Student Book for 4th Grade)

The Great Experiment (Student Book for 5th Grade)

The Global Village (Student Book for 6th Grade)

Philosophy Teacher's Manual: Grades 7-9

Human Configuration (Student Book for 7th Grade)

Beat Him If He Sneezes (Student Book for 8th Grade)

No Think/Non Think (Student Book for 9th Grade)