Reception P4C
Koala makes the Right Choice – Raising awareness that choices result in consequences, which can be positive or negative.
After listening carefully to the story we discussed the differences between:-
‘Good Choices’ and ‘Bad Choices.’ We drew pictures and placed them in the appropriate hoop.
Rainbow Fish – Exploring ethics, specifically friendships and sharing.
Question for philosophy enquiry: Do you think Rainbow Fish should have shared his scales? Following our discussion we evaluated our lesson using happy/sad faces.
- Did you enjoy philosophy today?
- Were you happy to speak within the group today ?
- Did you listen well today?
- Did you do a lot of thinking?
Reception/Year 1 P4C
Question for philosophy enquiry: Would you rather stay at home or come to school?
The children made their first choice when the question was posed, they sat either side of the ‘concept line’ according to their choice. After listening to their friends reasons for their choice, the vote changed and many children decided that they too would like to change their mind! In P4C it’s fine to change your mind.
First Vote
Second Vote
Monkey needs to Listen – exploring issues of listening properly to instructions and paying attention.
Before the story was read the children played ‘Simon Says.’ This game highlighted the importance of listening carefully.
Question for philosophy enquiry: Has there been a time when you haven’t listened to an adult, what were the consequences?
‘Simon Says’
After the enquiry the children played:-
‘Chinese Whispers’
Year 1 P4C
Turtle comes out of her shell – A story about why sometimes people feel uncomfortable in certain situations, and how we can try to find ways to overcome shyness and anxiety.
Question for philosophy enquiry: Have you ever felt shy like Turtle in the story?
During our enquiry we discussed ways of overcoming anxiety and shyness. In the story Miss Bird the teacher suggested taking a deep breath. The children practised a mindful exercise called ‘Hot Chocolate.’ They cooled their imaginary hot chocolate while focussing on breathing and relaxing and realised that they can help to control their feelings of shyness and anxiety.
Lion’s in a Flap – A book about feeling worried. Children have an opportunity to explore what makes people feel worried and how to use coping mechanisms.
Questions for philosophy enquiry :-
Have you ever felt worried?
How does it make you feel?
Can you think of a way to overcome these physical features of anxiety?
Year 2 P4C
Croc Needs to Wait – This book gives children the opportunity to explore the idea of being patient and the importance of taking the time to do things carefully.
Question for philosophy enquiry:-
Why is it important to work cooperatively?
Have you ever worked with a friend, how did it go?
Following the enquiry the children were set into pairs with friends they don’t normally work with. They were given a giraffe to colour. It was necessary to share the two crayons that they were provided with to complete the task.
The children evaluated their learning, they decided that:-
They liked working with different friends.
It was fun.
It was exciting.
It was good.
It was a pleasure.
Some children said that they would love to do it again!
Rhino Learns to be Polite – This story gives children the opportunity to explore the importance of having good manners and being polite and considerate towards others.
Question for philosophy enquiry: What makes good manners?
The children made lots of suggestions:-
No interrupting when someone is speaking.
Remember to say please and thank you.
No yawning when someone is speaking.
They were given the opportunity to agree/disagree with their peers, and to state their reasons why?
