A Philosophical Mini-Curriculum for Primary

A Philosophy Mini-Curriculum for Primary

PDF - scripted lessons for Primary School Educators.

EYFS Lessons - Optional use of Socrates Doll
Socratic Method: Plan, script - question sorting and introducing ‘Big Questions’

What is ‘real’? Plan - thinking about where knowledge comes from and whether we can tell if something is real or not. Discusses personhood.

Years 1 and 2 Lessons
What’s the Big Idea? Plan - an introduction to philosophy and some of the big ideas it delves into.

How Did the Universe Come to Be? A discussion-based unit about creation and the idea of God.

Year 3 Lesson
What is the Difference Between Knowing and Believing? Plan - a look at observation, faith and miracles.

Year 4 Lesson
Morality: How do People Make Moral Decisions? Plan - a look at how people justify moral decisions with logical arguments.

Year 5 Lessons
Utilitarianism Parts I & II - Plans, Presentation, Scenario Cards - a look at Bentham and Mill’s system for moral decision making.

Ontology: Plan, Presentation - A look at the Ontological arguments for the existence of God and its problems.

Year 6 Lesson
Plato’s Cave: Plan - A look at the role of the philosopher in society and the idea of knowledge through revelation.

Primary Range Home/School
Lesson 1
The Purpose of Things: Plan - A discussion-based enquiry into the purpose of everyday things. It examines the ‘why’ of objects, both made and naturally occurring. An introduction to teleology.

Lesson 2
Of Superheroes and Miracles: Plan and Presentation - A discussion-based enquiry into the origins of the idea of the ‘superhero’. Encompassing believability, scepticism, Hume and his views on miracles.

Lesson 3
Morality with a Buddhist Focus: Plan - A discussion-based enquiry looking at morality and the externalised, spiritual drives behind it. Encompassing non-spiritual reasons of morality, inviting discussion about internal morality as well as a starting point to study belief in karma.

Lesson 4
Knowing VS Believing Part 1: Plan - A discussion-based enquiry looking at the difference between ‘Knowing’ and ‘believing’. Part 1 covers magic tricks and the senses as a source of ‘fact’. It asks whether scientists need a little belief in their line of work too. Introduces concepts such as dark matter.

Lesson 5
Knowing VS. Believing Part 2: Plan - A discussion using Flew’s The Invisible Gardener Parable. How do we know things? Is there a battle going on between science and belief? Do scientists believe? An introduction to the Falsification Principle.

For more and the accompanying Free presentations can be found on my website by googling philosophy in ks2. These are made using ‘creative commons’ pictures and so are not subject to copyright.