aelgraham Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Just wondering if anyone has used David White's 'Philosophy for Kids.' It looks really great. I've had trouble with formal logic this year with my 'big picture, big concept' kind of kid. I think he'd enjoy something like this much more, and get more out of it. Many thanks, Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 We really enjoy Philosophy for Kids. We're still using it. I find the lessons are short and are great conversation starters. In fact, we use that aspect more than the actual lesson. It's a wonderful way to see what is really going on inside your child's head. It's also a great time to play devil's advocate and role play a little using differing what if's. Most of the times we use the book it turns into a tangent filled conversation that lasts at least an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 We have used this several times. I actually keep forgetting that I have it :blush: When I have used it, the kids really liked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 We just started using it this year, and ds loves it. He always wants to do more in the book than just one lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Yes - I used it with Calvin and it worked really well. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aelgraham Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Sounds like there's no prep involved at all, which would be a nice change around here. Is there any written work or assignments that go along? It's a fun book. I pick it up here or there and we read a chapter and talk about it. I don't have time to go through formally at this point, but so far it's been fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillieBoy Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 We loved it. I noticed that the author has two other books out. One is The Examined Life: Advanced Philosophy for Kids and Philosophy for Teens: Questioning Life's Big Ideas. Has anyone used these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 We loved it. I noticed that the author has two other books out. One is The Examined Life: Advanced Philosophy for Kids and Philosophy for Teens: Questioning Life's Big Ideas. Has anyone used these? I have The Examined Life. It takes some of the themes from Philosophy for Kids and expands them. While it says it's for grades 6-8, IMO it requires a higher level of thinking that average 6th to 8th graders don't have. The students have to be able to discuss existentialism, democracy, funetics, etc. and with some of the later chapters, I had to give them a deeper reading to understand where he was going. I think it would be usable if the parent sat down, read the chapter and then planned the lesson around the abilities of their child. I can't see Philosophy for Kids preparing a child to tackle The Examined Life. They would be familiar with the topics, but it would be a big jump with regard to the critical thinking skills required. This year we are doing Philosophy for Kids and I'm having my dd read and discuss Sophie's World. I'm also going to get her to read part of Peter Kreeft's The Best Things in Life. That is a great philosophical book that exposes the reader to Socratic logic in a very fun way! Some of the chapter content is too mature for middle schoolers, but most of the book is accessible for them and really gets them thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 That looks good! It is very good! :001_smile: If you're thinking of using it, here's a link to free study questions & notes for the book. They're quite in-depth but excellent! Another good book is Does the Center Hold, but it's probably more for an early high school level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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