Archive: 2010

1. Tailored to your needs

   Posted on December 4 2010 by Dot Lenton in News Comments Off on Tailored to your needs

   

   One of the most important aspects of the training we offer is that it is tailored exactly to the needs of each school we visit. We recently returned to a school we first worked with a couple of years ago and found them still passionate about philosophy. As there were several teachers new to the school we split into two groups – Dot lead one group through what philosophy is and, just as important, what it is not! The second group, who had been using philosophy for some time, looked at the role of facilitator and developing questioning techniques. Feedback from both groups was very positive “…lots of good ideas on questioning to extend children” and, from a teacher new to philosophy, “I would feel confident holding a philosophy session after this training session”.

2. Partnership at Henley

   Posted on November 29 2010 by Dot Lenton in News Comments Off on Partnership at Henley

   Visiting the Henley partnership schools proved interesting, if somewhat crowded. All fifty of us were packed into the ICT suite – kindly provided by the high school. However trying to have eye contact with all members of the group was a real challenge! The staff demonstrated that they are keen to extend and continue their work in listening skills with their pupils. Although we were a large group in a smallish space, we just about managed to split into two for the experiential workshops. It was difficult not to overhear, and become distracted by, what the others were saying – so a lesson for us in future is to make sure that the venue is big enough! We were warmly welcomed and one member of staff said of the session: “Yes it was very useful. I think my own philosophy for learning is very similar to the ethos of this session.”

3. Philosophy on Radio 4

   Posted on November 1 2010 by Barbara Vidion in News Comments Off on Philosophy on Radio 4

   How exciting to hear of the importance of primary school philosophy on Radio 4 Woman’s Hour this week (27/10/10). A philosophy student at Warwick University talked about how her interest in philosophy started as a child when she explored questions such as “why am I me and not someone else” with her friend – showing how natural this thinking in children and how important it is to encourage and develop it. The two guests on the programme, Dr Angie Hobbs and Professor Helen Beebee had both seen philosophy with primary children at work “Absolutely inspirational” was the verdict of Dr Hobbs after witnessing 8 and 9 year olds in a critical thinking skills session led by SAPERE exploring the difference between wants and needs. “Marvellous, philosophy really teaches you how to think about things for yourself” was the comment from Professor Beebeee.

4. Gifted and Talented workshop

   Posted on October 5 2010 by Dot Lenton in News Comments Off on Gifted and Talented workshop

   After working in a summer school for gifted and talented pupils in a Suffolk High School we received some encouraging feedback – particularly from the pupils. One year 6 girl said: “The philosophy session today was really interesting because it made me think more than usual about every-day life, about all the opportunities there are to stretch myself and think about something I haven’t thought about before.” One of the teachers said that it made the students stop and think more deeply about the topics we introduced and “it was interesting to see how they dealt with questions that have no right answers”. The Assistant Headteacher was so impressed with the way in which the pupils had responded to the challenging questioning that she is considering how it can be successfully incorporated into the school curriculum.

   The school also rated the content as “excellent”. For presentation the assistant headteacher wrote: “Professional delivery in a manner that both encouraged and engaged our students.” It was a very enjoyable experience for us too.

5. Thinking really hard

   Posted on September 10 2010 by Dot Lenton in News Comments Off on Thinking really hard

   It was very exciting to work with a school that has a strong mission to get all its children thinking really hard! The staff at Swaffham Infant School are a dedicated group who are keen to give their children time to listen, reflect and respond. During the first session we talked briefly about the history of P4C – particularly looking at examples of how easy it is to dismiss children’s thoughts and ideas without really pursuing them.

   Later in our experiential session we talked about how modern living can have a negative impact on exploration. One member of staff wrote to us and said,

   “I just wanted to say a big thank you for the training you gave today at Swaffham Infant School. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and found the whole concept fascinating. I really do hope that all schools will start using philosophy for children, for all ages. I think it would benefit young people immensely.
   Thank you again for a truly interesting training session.”

6. Feedback

   Posted on August 23 2010 by Barbara Vidion in News Comments Off on Feedback

   When we delivered p4c today we took along an observer, this is her feedback after watching the session.

   “Excellent presentation. I gained an enormous insight into the way in which children think. It helped me to evaluate my own practice as a teacher and review preconceived ideas that I have. Very thought provoking.”

7. Try Rdeainig Tihs

   Posted on August 23 2010 by Barbara Vidion in News Comments Off on Try Rdeainig Tihs

   “I cdnuol’t blveiee taht I cluod aclaltuy uesdnatrd waht I was rdgnaeig. The phaonmnael pweor fo the hmuan mnid!” This was the starting point for our work today with two groups of gifted and talented young people (Y6, 7 and 8) at a summer school in Suffolk. This led to very animated thinking! One group explored the capacity of the human mind and what we mean when we speak of “self”. The second group puzzled over what language is and the conventions we have and how they have developed. Dot and I had a great time and our thinking was definitely stretched!

8. Philosophy4Adults

   Posted on August 9 2010 by Barbara Vidion in News Comments Off on Philosophy4Adults

   At Philosophy4Children we often work with groups of adults who are keen to explore how to use philosophy with children in their school. Last week we were delighted to work with quite a different group of adults who had no connection to a school at all. The Erasmus Foundation. in rural Suffolk, invited us to guide them through a philosophy session. They were interested to discover how philosophy could be integrated into their group and their meetings. We had a wonderful evening and were treated to a delightful supper into the bargain. We are beginning to see many possibilities of using philosophy beyond schools!

9. Philosphy4Children moving on

   Posted on June 1 2010 by Dot Lenton in News Comments Off on Philosphy4Children moving on

   A very exciting, and excitable, group of teachers met at Woodside Infant and Nursery School in Hethersett last week. They have been pioneers in using philosophy for children in the classroom and wanted to see how that could move their children on into even deeper thinking. Philosophy4Children were able to help! We looked at the art of questioning itself and considered the tools that the facilitator needs to do this successfully. We also considered the nature of the questions themselves – how children’s open imaginative questions can move into the philosophical. We looked at the way in which children’s questions can cover all aspects of philosophical thought. Their questions range from the ethical (right and wrong) right through the social and political (rights and laws) spectrum to the epistemological (does science give us the right answers?) through to aesthetics and logic. We had a good session and staff seemed fired up to move on to the next level!!

10. New term, new start

    Posted on April 24 2010 by Dot Lenton in News Comments Off on New term, new start

    Philosophy4Children spent a very enjoyable day delivering training to Rockland and Surlingham Schools. The schools have recently formed a partnership. The head teacher and her staff are wanting to work together and are keen to embed Philosophy4Children into their curriculum. Everyone took part enthusiastically and, after a technical hiccup at the start, the day went smoothly. Some staff have experience in this method of teaching, and for some it was a new approach. We began by asking three questions:

    Why do children come to school?

    What does it mean to learn?

    Do we need to teach in order for children to learn?

    This started some lively discussions before we went into learning mode ourselves. We thoroughly enjoyed working with the group and from comments at the end it seems to have been a very productive day.