Book Description
Inspire animated discussions of questions that concern kids - and all of us - with this innovative, interactive book. Open your students' minds to the wonders of philosophy. Allow them to grapple with the questions philosophers have discussed since the ancient Greeks. Questions include: "Who are your friends?" "Can computers think?" "Can something logical not make sense?" "Can you think about nothing?" Young minds will find the range of 40 questions to be both entertaining and informative. If you have ever wondered about questions like these, you are well on the way to becoming a philosopher!
Philosophy for Kids offers young people (ages 10 and up) the opportunity to become acquainted with the wonders of philosophy. Packed with exciting activities arranged around the topics of Values, Knowledge, Reality, and Critical Thinking, this book can be used individually or by the whole class. Each activity allows kids to increase their understanding of philosophical concepts and issues and enjoy themselves at the same time.
In addition to learning about a challenging subject, students philosophizing in a classroom setting as well as the casual reader of Philosophy for Kids will sharpen the ability to think critically about these and similar questions. Experiencing the enjoyment of philosophical thought enhances a young person's appreciation for the importance of reasoning throughout the traditional curriculum of subjects.
The book includes activities, teaching tips, a glossary of terms, and suggestions for further reading.
Grades 4-12
Customer Reviews:
Too open ended for kids.......2007-08-26
I bought this book to read with my nine-year old daughter. Lots of great questions posed, but we found they weren't explored deeply enough for our satisfaction. One could argue that this is precisely the purpose of the book, ie to encourage further discussion, but we're both quite new to the field of philosophy and lack the training and tools for a deep evaluation of the issues. Another book, Philosophy Rocks (Law), offers far deeper analyses (of admittedly fewer questions), but left us far more satisfied and inspired.
It really is fun!.......2007-07-25
While I have always been moderately entertained by the metaphysical, it has never been something I would quite describe as 'fun'. Until now that is! The chapter on existentialism tickled me rotten and the 'Wittgenstein game' caused uproar at my son's birthday party! If you want to keep the kids entertained for the day (and simultaneously teach them concepts of modal realism) look no further...
A+ for David White's "Philosophy for Kids".......2006-06-11
I'm not a teacher, but I am a student of philosophy who knows a great book when she reads one, and Professor White's "Philosophy for Kids" fits the bill. I appreciate this book not only because I think it's effective in getting youth to think about significant scholarly issues (this, I admit, it probably accomplishes quite well). Rather, I give PFK an A+ for its amazing ability to introduce *any* curious person to some of mankind's most timeless and pressing questions--and some of his most insightful thinkers--regardless of the age or academic background of the reader.
Organized into sections according to four major branches of philosophy--ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, and logic--the book eases you into an exciting exploration of a myriad of connected but diverse philosophical questions. White's "leads" at the beginnings of the chapters, or "Questions," are always attention-grabbers, and I find the question-and-answer format helpful for framing the philosophical issue in a practical, concrete way before diving into a more rigorous investigation of the many facets of the Question and how they relate to one or more major philosophers. Far from being heavy-handed or tyrannical, these opening "situations" are thought-provoking engagements for the student. What a refreshing change from dry, overly cerebral, merely explanatory summaries of what a particular philosopher wrote about x, y, and z! The reader gets a stunningly broad introduction to major philosophical thinkers, their questions, and their answers without even realizing it. When a textbook is so inviting that it whets your appetite to read the more difficult, original works of both ancient and modern philosophers, you know you have something special.
The practical questions and answers are often amusing, but never trite. Many gently encourage self-reflection and make dense philosophical ideas actually personal and relatable, and in my opinion, philosophy and self-reflection are always a winning combination.
From an educational view, I think that Part IV on logic, or critical thinking, is alone worth the price of the book. This section helps students start to analyze the very foundations of what it means for a statement to be true, for a thing to be defined, for a thing to be caused. These kinds of cognitive skills are absolutely elemental--and essential--to further study in philosophy (as well as all sorts of endeavors), and so this section of the textbook is pure windfall for both student and teacher.
All of the "little things" also make this book stand out from the rest and show great craftsmanship in layout and details: many of the quotes located at the end of the Questions are exceptionally eloquent (all are relevant food for thought), the black-and-white illustrations of the philosophers are delightful, and even the cover and font are just downright attractive (and especially striking given the work's real potential as a formal textbook). Although I don't have much formal teaching experience, my impression is that the "Teaching Tips" at the end of the book could serve as a real catalyst for refining one's skills at facilitating and fielding classroom discussion. I especially liked the additional exercises and challenges White suggests in "Further Thoughts" and "Teaching Tips"; they constitute a wonderful continuation of the practical "question and answer" protocol highlighted throughout the book.
In summary, the excellence of this lovely textbook certainly speaks to the high caliber of an experienced teacher who knows much about philosophy (and life) and cares deeply about both. One can only desperately and impatiently hope for more luminous correspondence with a mind and heart like his, whether in the form of another book ... or through a different venue.
The Author is Great.......2005-11-21
I'm 14 and took a philosophy class for gifted students with the author teaching. He's a certifiable nutcase. He's also amazingly funny and intelligent. Buy this book or discriminate against insane geniuses everywhere.
Wonder-ful Resource.......2004-07-28
I used this book to help me frame out the philosophy segment of my middle school gifted and talented class. The book is organized in terms of branches of philosophy: values, knowledge, metaphysics and critical thinking. Under each heading are thought-provoking questions that draw the reader in. Each of these is followed by a brief activity that links the question to kids' lives. After they are hooked in, the author explains the idea being discussed, and introduces the philosopher responsible for the idea. This structure of focusing first on the practical implications and then working backwards to the idea worked very well to catch and hold students' interest. The way the book is organized also makes it more flexible. Each question provides an independent lesson. You can skip around, and answer as many as you like. The length of each lesson also supports the ease of use, although with many you may want to extent it with the For Further Thought section.
If you want to try something fresh with your students, but philosophy intimidates you, don't worry. There is even a section in the back called How to Philosophize if you are not a Philosopher, which is loaded with practical advice, suggestions for classroom procedures, and specific teaching tips for each of the questions discussed. It even includes typical student reactions.
Overall, the students enjoyed the activities and questions in this book. It was not always easy for them to accept that there are no easy answers, but they were definitely engaged and challenged by the material. I found it to be a wonderful, helpful, handy, practical resource for introducing young people to philosophy.
Book Description
Confused and intimidated by the complexities of homeschooling, many sincere parents never get past the "thinking about it" stage. Now Lisa Whelchel - herself a homeschooling mother of three - introduces fifteen real families and shows how they overcome the challenges of their unique homeschooling situations. This nuts-and-bolts approach deals with common questions of time management, teaching weaknesses, and outside responsibilities, as well as children's age variations, social and sports involvement, learning disabilities, and boredom. Seeing a wide variety of successfully homeschooling families in action will give parents the confidence to make their own dream of home-based education a reality.
Customer Reviews:
My First Book About Homeschooling........2007-09-30
I knew a woman I socialized with home-schooled her kids and I became curious. This was the first book I ever read about the subject. It is great! I covers many aspects of homeschooling. It gives you a peek inside the world of homeschooling. The appendix is most helpful with tons of listings to help you in your quest for knowledge. It is the only book I recommend to anyone curious about homeschooling.
Lisa is a homeschooler? HA!!!!.......2007-07-13
Hmmm...you know what it takes to be a homeschooler, actually being home with the kids and working with them! Lisa spends all her time writing books and at speaking engagements! And Lisa, nobody wants to read about fake families...real families that homeschool and have their ups and downs is more interesting reading! Skip this book! Homeschooling books are everywhere, you can find something better!
Great Information .......2007-05-19
I am someone considering homeschooling and this book had a lot of infomation. It gave me many different homeschooling situation to try to relate to my own situation. I still haven't decided weather to homeschool or not, but I can refer back to this book for information and ideas.
Encouraged .......2007-04-22
This book is an encouragement to those who are thinking about homeschooling. It takes you into the lives of every-day homeschooling families from all walks of life and shows if you persevere anyone can homeschool! At the end of the book she even offers different sources to get you started! Very helpful!
A must read if you're thinking of homeschooling.......2007-03-22
I have been thinking of homeschooling my son since he was in kindergarten and now he is 12 yrs. old. I have always let people and doubts that I had stop me....but not anymore. This book has 15 different families tell their story and I saw my situation in quite a few of them. It was hard to put this book down..but each time I did, I felt more reassured that I could do this thing called "homeschooling". I am happy to say that thanks to Lisa's book that I will be homeschooling my 12 and 5 yr. old with the beginning of the new school year.....
Product Description
This dynamic volume is designed to teach readers to become critical thinkers as they explore the influential thinkers and central themes of Philosophy from ancient times to the present. In addition to the conceptual and language subject matter, this presentation ignites readers' sense of wonder through an innovative design, substantive readings, innovative writing assignments and thinking activities that provide readers with the opportunity to learn and practice the conceptual abilities needed to think philosophically. The volume examines thinking philosophically about life, consciousness, identity and the soul, freedom and determinism, developing enlightened values, exploring ways of being religious, constructing knowledge and discovering truth, developing an integrated view of reality, understanding creative expression and political forms, as well as social justice, and concepts of utopia. For individuals interested in learning to think philosophically.
Book Description
Designed for professionals who work with elementary and middle-school students in language development, this book focuses on oral expression. Speech-language pathologists, special education instructors and classroom teachers will find "Thinking About Language" useful as a diagnostic tool, as a guide for teaching receptive and expressive language skills, as a desk reference, and as a resource for word lists and practical templates for student use. The materials in this Teaching Resource have been refined through over thirty years of teaching students with language-based learning disabilities.
Customer Reviews:
Keep This Book Handy!.......2004-03-05
I wish this book had been available when I began working with learning-disabled children over 25 years ago. It would have saved me countless hours in producing lesson plans and teaching materials as well as in learning about the structure and analysis of language. Clearly organized, with chapters on fundamentals of phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, the author provides an invaluable guide for intervening with children whose language is typically a challenge for educators and speech-language pathologists. Staceyýs method of illustrating language concepts with vignettes from student performance helps to make the material understandable and lively. The final chapter on pragmatics contains numerous social language situations accompanied by simple and sensible solutions. One only has to look at the subheadings delineating these problems (e.g., ýResolving Conflicts in a Residential Setting or during Free Timeý) to know that this is an author who has spent time in the trenches.
In creating this book, Stacey has transferred to paper a careerýs worth of thinking and teaching about language. In the process she has produced a great resource, easily accessible to anyone wishing to address the educational needs of the learning disabled child.
Thank you for 'Thinking About Language'.......2004-01-21
This is a wonderful book written by an author who has a knowledge of language development based in many years of experience in helping students who have special language and communication needs. Ms. Stacey's book provides a wonderful guide to the normal development of language and paralinguistic behaviors from early childhood through adolescence. It clearly explains the cascading effect of language-based learning disorders on language development throughout childhood. It also offers clearly delineated goals for remediation throughout the school years. Her compassion for children and her enjoyment of language make this a must-read for parents of young children as well as professionals.
Amazon.com
Is there any topic more controversial than the sexual education of our children? Parents worry about telling too much or not enough, schools are restricted in what they're allowed to discuss, and kids are filled with a combination of surprising misinformation and depressing detail on disease without ever having been taught about the possible benefits and enjoyment of feeling comfortable with their bodies. Deborah Roffman, a longtime teacher of sexual education for both children and adults, has assembled a thorough book that attempts to address moral and physical issues for every age. The Thinking Parent's Guide to Talking Sense About Sex is decidedly not for those whose sex speech begins and ends with "just say no." Roffman's take on sexual education is that it is a lifelong exploration that should encompass changing cultural values and an individual's personally evolving ethics as well as the practical facts of proper health care. Put plainly in one section's title, "sexuality is about people, not body parts." Including a discussion of gender roles and history, and appropriate levels of information for everyone from toddlers to teens, Roffman attempts to cover all the bases with a mix of theory, historical perspective, personal stories from her own classrooms and kids, and practice questions and situations that parents can eventually expect from their children. Breaking down this complicated subject, she identifies five core needs that all questions fall under: affirmation, information giving, values clarification, limit setting, and anticipatory guidance. This last category relates to parents' ultimate goal of making themselves "dispensable," secure in the knowledge that their children have been raised with all the information needed to make the right decisions for themselves--decisions that will result in a sexual health that blends their emotions, minds, and bodies with ultimate success. --Jill Lightner
Book Description
A new paradigm for talking honestly about sex and sexuality with our children. How young is too young to talk with children about sex and reproduction? Are we clear as adults about the meaning of the words "sex" and "sexuality," or "gender" and "sexual orientation"? Do we know what we want our children to think and value about sexuality, and how to combat unhealthy cultural influences? With a rare directness and clarity about these profoundly important issues, nationally recognized sexuality educator Deborah Roffman challenges and teaches readers to develop a blueprint for opening the lines of communication with children of all ages. Raising sexually healthy children requires that we master what Roffman identifies as five core parenting skills: we must affirm our children's emerging sexuality; provide accurate sexual information; demonstrate the connection between values and action; set safe and healthy limits; and provide constant and effective anticipatory guidance. Powerfully instructive on how to talk in ways that will be meaningful to kids, Sex and Sensibility will help parents confidently interpret and comfortably respond to virtually any question a child might pose or any situation that arises.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Resource.......2007-06-12
This is an excellent resource for parents with young children or anyone considering having children. This book will help you communicate more effectively with them concerning sex, sexuality and gender issues.
It is informative, funny and easy to understand. She gives a lot of examples of what she is writing about so that you have something to go on in discussing the topic with your own child or children.
Good ideas and stories but too wandering and disorganized.......2007-02-12
I have to admit I was a little disappointed with this book. The idea is revolutionary and necessary in modern society: a generation of parents who genuinely talk to their children about sex and maintain an open and reasonable dialogue throughout their child's life.
Roffman does a good job of arguing for why we need this. What she does not do well, in my opinion, is get to the point: just how are we to instill these dialogues into our relationships with our children? After pages of being told how important it is, I was frustrated not to find how she recommends going about it. So I skipped around. However, due to the poor organization of her book, I had no idea where to skip to. I left it back at the library I got it from with only a vague idea of how she recommended I speak to my child.
Don't get me wrong: her stories are good and there a few I feel glad knowing. But she simply does not get to the point soon enough. The path of her narrative is wandering and her direction at times unclear. I simply could not sit through it long enough to give her a chance to get. to. the. point.
After some disappointment and some searching, I found a book that *does* get to the point:
-Everything you NEVER wanted your kids to know about SEX (but were afraid they'd ask)-
by Justin Richardson and Mark Schuster
While Roffman has the advantage of many first-hand discussions with parents children, Richardson and Schuster have the advantage of not only that but also enlightening statistical, psychological, and sociological research. Not to mention a much more straight-forward writing style.
I applaud Roffman's efforts on a difficult topic. But this simply is not the book to read. I wish she would organize her personal stories so I could find the ones on topics I'm interested in and assimilate them. But unfortunately, I do not have time to dig through all of them to find the ones I feel are relevant.
Read it and share it with your offspring before they go off to college!.......2006-12-28
I don't know what are the rates for teen pregnancy in the US, but I KNOW that unwanted pregnancy is a reality for young adults. Every year one or two of my college students becomes pregnant. I can only recall three times in over ten years when the student was either married or in a committed relationship. If your offspring is planning to go off and live on his/her own, read this book so you can talk about sexuality before they leave your house. The book is somewhat verbose and some sections could be shortened, but I gave it 5 stars because what Roffman has to say, and how she says it, it's very important.
Every parent should read this book.......2006-11-02
Just what parents need to know - the big picture, not just biology and warnings. Very thoughtful.
Important if you're a parent.......2002-02-28
I saw Deborah Roffman speak before I read this book. When she told us that her students (she teaches at a local private school) call her "the sex lady," I wasn't surprised. When she explained some of today's kids' (we're talking kids, not even teens) attitudes about sex, sexuality, and sexual activity, I was very surprised.
I've always considered myself enlightened and pretty progressive, but when it comes to what our kids are thinking and doing, I felt like a Puritan. According to Ms. Roffman, the roles that we as a society thrust on our kids put them under an incredible amount of pressure about themselves, their sexuality, and their values.
This book is written just the way Ms. Roffman speaks -- frankly, straightforwardly, and plainly, with no holds barred. If you're the parent of a pre-teen or teen, or know a pre-teen or teen, you should put this book near the top of your must-read list.
Book Description
The Adventures in Odyssey Bible is now available in the New King James Translation. A reference-linked study system leads kids to interesting stories, includes extra-important memory verses, Whit's Wisdom answers to tough questions, and 32 pages of fun, colorful inserts.
Customer Reviews:
it's good for kids.......2001-01-01
this is a bible that kids will be able to understand. if your children like the series adventures in oddessy, then they will love this bible. it has examples to illistrate and is really geared towards kids. this is the perfect bible for any child.
Excellent, the best children's bible on the market........1998-11-15
I bought the bible about two years ago for my oldest son eighth birthday and he really loves it. His sister (then 6) also loved to read it with her brothers help, especially because of the cartoons which illustrate biblical values.
The Odyssey Bible is a proper bible but with a vocabulary that matches smaller children. Instead of giving our children bible stories they are now getting the real thing at their own level.
The only downside to it is that the cover is cardboard only which looked very used after a few months. A good sign that the children are actually reading it and for that it might be a good idea to bring out a version that has a more resistent cover.
Otherwise, this is an excellent book and I can recommend it with my whole heart. The children are still reading it and because it appeals to children so much it is now the recommended bible for the Sunday School in our church.
My wife also likes to point out that delicate issues are translated very sensitively so that it is not necessary to skip certain passages (Even though the Odyssey Bible does not compromise in truth, these passages are delivered in such a way that the children are not put off but still receive a complete word).
Book Description
There's no doubt about it -young children love Elmo's World. Based on the wildly popular segment on Sesame Street, this flash card and DVD set is sure to become a hit with Elmo-lovers everywhere!
This flashcard and DVD format is the ideal blend of fun and enrichment to enhance a preschooler's intellectual development. This unique flash card and DVD set comes complete with
23 full-color flash cards that include simple activities on the back,
a guide for parents and caregivers,
and a 15-minute DVD featuring segments from 'Sesame Street Elmo's World' that focuses on sleep, bathtime, and getting dressed.
Includes
- 23 full-color flash cards (colorful images of crayon illustrations and photographs)
- parents' tip card
- 15 minute DVD
Adapted from Sesame "Street Elmo's World" episodes, "Good Morning, Elmo!" is a great interactive learning tool for preschool children
23 flash cards feature illustrations and photos and labels of common objects related to sleep, bathtime, and getting dressed. On the reverse side of each card, prompts and simple activities encourage kids to talk about what they¿ve seen.
- flash cards include: pillow, clock, rubber ducky, toothbrush, socks, hat, shoes
The parents' tip card is full of suggestions, activities, and ideas to help expand kids' imagination and language skills.
DVD is a wonderful companion to the flashcards
- each section features segments of different Elmo's World episodes that are tied directly to the content on the flash cards.
- after each Elmo's World segment there is a special interactive flash card activity that presents the actual cards in the pack. Kids will see each card up on the screen and hear a question about the object shown. Parents are encouraged to use the DVD with the actual cards for hands-on learning.
Customer Reviews:
Not satisfied .......2006-09-19
This video is only 15 minutes long. It comes with cute little flashcards about getting dressed, sleepytime, and bathtime. But these sketches are already on other ELMO's WORLD DVD's. The ones on this video are shortened and not as detailed as the original Elmos' world sketches about bathtime, sleep time, and getting dressed. I would recommend getting the original Elmo's world DVDs on these subjects. They are definately worth your money. My 19 month old baby girl and I both love Sesame Street, but I think this the one video I would not recommend.
Customer Reviews:
A Good Book.......2000-05-23
I liked the illustrations, and the writing was good, too. Itdidn't tell you much; it was more like a story if you were an ant.
excellent science for small kids........1998-12-18
This is an extraodinary science book for the 3-6 set. The drawings are clean and precise, the questions intriguing, and the attitude toward scientific investigation and questioning inspired. I love good kids' science books that aren't all bill-nyed up with a lot of loud garbage. This is quiet and serious and fascinating. My daughter loves it and loves copying the ant drawings. Goes great, by the way, with the EO Wilson The Ants book, too.
Customer Reviews:
Classic papers by a great, humane doctor.......2000-05-01
This is wide-ranging collection of Winnicott's writings on assorted topics of childhood and adolescence. It is especially important as a set of historic writings. His kindness and intelligence prevails. Winnicott was a child psychoanalyst with an especially tender heart, and his love of children, and respect for the efforts of families - often against unnerving odds - is obvious. However, it should be noted that some of his theories, while advanced in good faith and respected at the time they were introduced, have been disproven over the years. For example, enuresis (bed-wetting) is now known to be something that psychoanalysis does not "cure." (It is often inherited, and afflicted children outgrow it, period.) His articles on adolescence, written more than thirty years ago, are not "current," but still valuable. Winnicott's discussion of autism, while humane and well-meaning and enlightened for its time, is also somewhat off the mark, in light of contemporary findings on autism. Nonetheless, there is much that is valuable in this collection of papers. "The Niffle," with its report on a discussion about God that a small boy has with his father, reminds the reader again that Winnicott was not only capable of great love and understanding, but of awe.
Definitely worth reading.
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- Positive Coaching: Building Character and Self-Esteem
- Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right
- Purple Hibiscus: A Novel
- Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook
- Rich Dad's Advisors: How to Attract Other People's Money for Your Investments--The Ultimate Leverage
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!
- Shopaholic & Baby (Shopaholic)
- Simply Natural Baby Food: Easy Recipes for Delicious Meals Your Infant and Toddler Will Love
- Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel
Books Index
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General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Young Person's Guide to Philosophy
The Examined Life: Advanced Philosophy for Kids
The Philosophers' Club
Philosophy for Teens
The Philosophy Gym: 25 Short Adventures in Thinking
