Critical and Ethical Thinking - Let's Talk About Tricky Stuff (ages 10-12)

This class teaches critical thinking and ethical thinking skills. It also encourages and teaches mature and respectful conversation with people who may disagree or hold differing opinions. Classes are limited to 4 students, so each one has plenty of opportunity to contribute their ideas and explanations.

Each week we will discuss a new topic (see list below). As class instructor I will use short story scenarios as prompts to pose various questions, and ask the students to share their thoughts. I do not offer any answers or my own opinions - it is up to the students to consider the topic and formulate their own critical appraisal. My role is to guide them to thinking about things from different viewpoints, and to discuss it with one another in a respectful manner. 

This is an ongoing class: Every week the material is new and different. Students can stay enrolled for as long as they like. Students do not require any previous knowledge for this class.

Students are required to have their video on at the start of each class for identification as per Outschool rules. Students are encouraged to participate in the full class with video on, but may turn it off if they wish.

Upcoming topics, with sample questions (we cover many more during the class):

Week of Tue 29 Apr-Mon 5 May: Flight
	• Why do you think people have always dreamed of flying?
	• What’s the difference between dreaming about flight and trying to make it real?
	• Would you have volunteered to test an early flying machine?
	• What are some good things that happened because humans learned to fly?
	• What are some problems that came with flight?
	• Should we bring back airships as a greener way to travel slowly but more sustainably?

Week of Tue 6-Mon 12 May: Strengths and Weaknesses
	• What does it mean to have a “strength”or a “weakness”?
	• Is it more important to know what you’re good at or what you’re not good at?
	• How can you figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are?
	• What are some ways we can we deal with our weaknesses?
	• Is it okay to be bad at some things as long as you’re trying?
	• How should we treat other people who are better or worse than us at something?

Week of Tue 13-Mon 19 May: Socialising
	• Why do people need friends?
	• Are there different kinds of friendships or social relationships?
	• How do people in different cultures or families spend time together socially?
	• How has technology like phones and social media changed the way people socialise?
	• Would you ever talk to an AI or robot for fun or companionship?
	• Is it fair to expect everyone to enjoy socialising the same way?
	
Week of Tue 20-Mon 26 May: Perfection
	• What does “perfection” mean?
	• Is it possible for anything to ever be truly perfect?
	• Why do people often want things (or themselves) to be perfect?
	• Is it better to finish something that’s “good enough” or to keep working on it forever trying to make it perfect?
	• What are some things that aren’t perfect but are still valuable or beautiful?
	• Why is it sometimes important to accept mistakes or flaws?

Future weeks will be a new topic every week (updated here regularly).