Resources and Links for Doing Philosophy in Schools
The best part about the method described here is that teachers need not any formal training in philosophy to be successful. The resources on this page are meant for those interested in deepening their involvement with doing philosophy with children and adolescents.
Most of these resources are gauged towards grades K-6. While there are pre-collegiate philosophy programs for adolescents, there are fewer resources for doing philosophy with adolescents in grades 6-12 who might not be college-bound. I hope to begin to fill this gap by encouraging educators to draw from these resources and links in a way that will enrich their choice literature.
Grant Wiggins and Authentic Education / Understanding by Design (UbD)
This is an excellent resource for unit and curriculum design. Wiggins' "authentic education" is closely compatible with a philosophy-enriched study of young adult literature.
Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy with Children (IAPC)
Based at Montclair State University, this institute carries on the work started by Matthew Lipman in the 1970s. This site outlines IAPC's three-fold mission of educational programming, dissemination and professional affiliation, and research regarding philosophy with children.
Peter Worley's Philosophy Foundation
An UK-based "award winning educational charity raising aspirations and attainment through doing philosophical inquiry in the classroom" that also works with community and businesses. This site also provides resources and media to facilitate philosophical inquiry.
Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO)
Sponsored in part by the by the American Philosophical Association, PLATO is an independent non-profit that works to provide resources for teachers seeking to engage "young philosophers." This site provides information and resources, including lesson plans, videos, seminars, and essay contests.
Society for Philosophical Inquiry
Site promoting the work of Christopher Phillips,' founder of Socrates Café. This site also provides links to other resources and books for teachers interested in learning more about basic philosophical questions.
Society for Advancing Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education (SAPERE)
Founded in the UK in 1992, the Society for the Advancement of Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education provides resources for courses, projects, conferences, media, news, and links supporting the international Philosophy for Children (P4C movement).
The Squire Foundation for Advancing Philosophy Education
Since 2007, "The Squire Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, believes that all students in American elementary and secondary schools should have an opportunity to study philosophy in order to develop their ability to understand and evaluate their own beliefs and values, as well as those of others, so that they can become open-minded, respectful, thoughtful adults and responsible citizens."
Thomas Wartenberg’s “Teaching Children Philosophy” Wiki
Wartenberg provides Book Modules and resources for a variety of children's books. If only someone would create a partner website for Young Adult Literature.
University of Washington Center for Philosophy for Children
"Dedicated to introducing philosophy to K-12 students by using children’s books and activities to inspire exploration of life’s essential questions," this site provides resources, events, media, and lesson plans.
The Freire Project: Critical Cultural, Community, Media, and Youth Activism
Provides helpful resources for secondary students and teachers who wish to go deeper into the social activism side of philosophical inquiry. This site connects well with Hannam and Echeverria's push to inquire with young people about 21st century issues of social injustice.
Most of these resources are gauged towards grades K-6. While there are pre-collegiate philosophy programs for adolescents, there are fewer resources for doing philosophy with adolescents in grades 6-12 who might not be college-bound. I hope to begin to fill this gap by encouraging educators to draw from these resources and links in a way that will enrich their choice literature.
Grant Wiggins and Authentic Education / Understanding by Design (UbD)
This is an excellent resource for unit and curriculum design. Wiggins' "authentic education" is closely compatible with a philosophy-enriched study of young adult literature.
Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy with Children (IAPC)
Based at Montclair State University, this institute carries on the work started by Matthew Lipman in the 1970s. This site outlines IAPC's three-fold mission of educational programming, dissemination and professional affiliation, and research regarding philosophy with children.
Peter Worley's Philosophy Foundation
An UK-based "award winning educational charity raising aspirations and attainment through doing philosophical inquiry in the classroom" that also works with community and businesses. This site also provides resources and media to facilitate philosophical inquiry.
Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO)
Sponsored in part by the by the American Philosophical Association, PLATO is an independent non-profit that works to provide resources for teachers seeking to engage "young philosophers." This site provides information and resources, including lesson plans, videos, seminars, and essay contests.
Society for Philosophical Inquiry
Site promoting the work of Christopher Phillips,' founder of Socrates Café. This site also provides links to other resources and books for teachers interested in learning more about basic philosophical questions.
Society for Advancing Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education (SAPERE)
Founded in the UK in 1992, the Society for the Advancement of Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education provides resources for courses, projects, conferences, media, news, and links supporting the international Philosophy for Children (P4C movement).
The Squire Foundation for Advancing Philosophy Education
Since 2007, "The Squire Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, believes that all students in American elementary and secondary schools should have an opportunity to study philosophy in order to develop their ability to understand and evaluate their own beliefs and values, as well as those of others, so that they can become open-minded, respectful, thoughtful adults and responsible citizens."
Thomas Wartenberg’s “Teaching Children Philosophy” Wiki
Wartenberg provides Book Modules and resources for a variety of children's books. If only someone would create a partner website for Young Adult Literature.
University of Washington Center for Philosophy for Children
"Dedicated to introducing philosophy to K-12 students by using children’s books and activities to inspire exploration of life’s essential questions," this site provides resources, events, media, and lesson plans.
The Freire Project: Critical Cultural, Community, Media, and Youth Activism
Provides helpful resources for secondary students and teachers who wish to go deeper into the social activism side of philosophical inquiry. This site connects well with Hannam and Echeverria's push to inquire with young people about 21st century issues of social injustice.
Analytic Teaching: The Community of Inquiry Journal
Academic journal on teaching philosophy and doing philosophy with young people. Each issue has a specific theme; the 2013 call for papers was on "love."
Think: A Journal for Students and Teachers from the Royal Institute of Philosophy
"Think is edited by Stephen Law and published three times each year. The central aim of Think is to provide to a very wide audience – including schools, colleges and the general public – highly accessible and engaging writing by philosophers pre-eminent in their fields."
Thinking: The Journal of Philosophy for Children (IAPC)
Sponsored by IAPC at Montclair University, Thinking provides "a forum for the work of both theorists and practitioners of philosophical practice with children, and publishes such work in all forms, including philosophical argument and reflection, classroom transcripts, curricula, empirical research, and reports from the field."
Why we should teach children philosophy with Sara Goering
This YouTube video (also at top of this page) provides a lucid explanation of the benefits of doing philosophy with young people.
Academic journal on teaching philosophy and doing philosophy with young people. Each issue has a specific theme; the 2013 call for papers was on "love."
Think: A Journal for Students and Teachers from the Royal Institute of Philosophy
"Think is edited by Stephen Law and published three times each year. The central aim of Think is to provide to a very wide audience – including schools, colleges and the general public – highly accessible and engaging writing by philosophers pre-eminent in their fields."
Thinking: The Journal of Philosophy for Children (IAPC)
Sponsored by IAPC at Montclair University, Thinking provides "a forum for the work of both theorists and practitioners of philosophical practice with children, and publishes such work in all forms, including philosophical argument and reflection, classroom transcripts, curricula, empirical research, and reports from the field."
Why we should teach children philosophy with Sara Goering
This YouTube video (also at top of this page) provides a lucid explanation of the benefits of doing philosophy with young people.
Resources and Links for Finding Literature for Young Adults
You may use these resources, in conjunction with your local librarians, to facilitate the student choice suggested in the Philosophy-Enriched Choice Book Unit (grades 6-12).
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Book Awards and Booklists for Libraries. Arguably the best resource to help students find books perfect for the philosophical inquiry learning cycle. A Division of the American Library Association (ALA).
The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature is a particularly great source for relevant and well-crafted literature written with young adults in mind. These winners and nominees often situate enduring questions about identity within the context contemporary issues of globalization, environmental degradation, consumerism, democracy, inequality, media and technology (See Hannam and Echeverria 53ff.).
The National Book Foundation's National Book Award has a special category for "young people's literature." Scroll down to find winners and nominees from the last twenty years.
Scholastic Book Wizard allows you to find books by searching for theme and grade level. The online Book Adventure provides a similar service.
Librarians of Houston Area Independent Schools Library Network (HAISLN) have created wonderful Recommended Reading Lists by grade level. Each list is annotated for teachers, students, and families.
TeachersFirst provides Suggested Reading Lists by grade level and interest.
Ann Arbor public schools provides a helpful resources and reading lists for understanding reading ability and the Lexile Reading Levels used with Common Core State Standards.
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Book Awards and Booklists for Libraries. Arguably the best resource to help students find books perfect for the philosophical inquiry learning cycle. A Division of the American Library Association (ALA).
The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature is a particularly great source for relevant and well-crafted literature written with young adults in mind. These winners and nominees often situate enduring questions about identity within the context contemporary issues of globalization, environmental degradation, consumerism, democracy, inequality, media and technology (See Hannam and Echeverria 53ff.).
The National Book Foundation's National Book Award has a special category for "young people's literature." Scroll down to find winners and nominees from the last twenty years.
Scholastic Book Wizard allows you to find books by searching for theme and grade level. The online Book Adventure provides a similar service.
Librarians of Houston Area Independent Schools Library Network (HAISLN) have created wonderful Recommended Reading Lists by grade level. Each list is annotated for teachers, students, and families.
TeachersFirst provides Suggested Reading Lists by grade level and interest.
Ann Arbor public schools provides a helpful resources and reading lists for understanding reading ability and the Lexile Reading Levels used with Common Core State Standards.