Great Book Series for Kids (Learning How to Learn)

<NOTE: This course does not support or provide a therapeutic outcome>

The Great Book Series is an interactive and thought-provoking virtual program designed for 10-14-year-olds, where they’ll have the opportunity to explore life-changing ideas from some of the world’s most influential books. 

This class goes beyond traditional learning by introducing timeless wisdom and powerful concepts that will inspire and equip your child to think critically, learn faster, and succeed in life. Through engaging lessons and dynamic activities, we aim to ignite curiosity and empower young minds.

Because these books are so advanced, the students WILL NOT be expected to read the books themselves, but instead we will bring the key concepts to life in the classroom. So they get the benefit of the books without struggling to read through them.

What Will Be Taught? 

Your child will delve into the core ideas from books like Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow, Outliers, and Atomic Habits, as well as biographies of influential figures like Steve Jobs and Nelson Mandela. The class will teach them to think more strategically, develop positive habits, and understand the key principles that have driven successful people throughout history. These concepts are broken down into easily digestible lessons that are designed to be relatable and impactful for students.

What Topics Will We Cover?

The Power of Habits: How small, consistent actions can lead to big results in life and learning.

Success Principles: Exploring the stories and strategies of people who have made a mark on the world.

Mindset and Growth: How to cultivate a mindset that thrives on challenges and learning.

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: Understanding how to make smarter, more confident decisions.

Self-Improvement and Emotional Intelligence: Learning how to be aware of and control emotions, and how this can lead to greater success.


We will start this class with Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow by Daniel Kahneman. AGAIN STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE OR READ THE BOOK BEFOREHAND. We will cover the concepts in class. See a description of the first few weeks below.

In this interactive and engaging class, your child will explore the groundbreaking ideas from Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow, a book that reveals how our brains make decisions and the biases that shape our judgments. This class is designed to break down complex psychological concepts into fun, relatable lessons that will help students think more critically and make smarter decisions in everyday life.

Through a series of weekly lessons, your child will dive into how we think, why we make certain decisions, and how to overcome common thinking pitfalls. Each session will be dynamic and interactive, combining lectures, discussions, real-life examples, and engaging activities to reinforce key concepts.

Weekly Breakdown:

Week 1 (12/3): Introduction to System 1 and System 2
Topic: The Two Systems of Thinking
Theme: Understanding System 1 (Fast, Automatic) and System 2 (Slow, Deliberate) thinking, and how they influence our decisions.

Week 2 (12/10): Cognitive Ease and Strain
Topic: The Role of Cognitive Ease and Cognitive Strain
Theme: How easy-to-process information influences our judgments and why we tend to avoid mental effort.

Week 3 (12/17): Heuristics and Biases
Topic: The Availability Heuristic
Theme: How our brains rely on shortcuts (heuristics) to make quick decisions and how this can lead to biases.

Week 4 (1/7): Anchoring and Adjustment
Topic: Anchoring Bias
Theme: How initial information (anchors) impacts our decisions, even when it's irrelevant.

Week 5 (1/14): Loss Aversion and Prospect Theory
Topic: Understanding Loss Aversion
Theme: Why losses hurt more than gains and how this shapes our decision-making behavior.

Week 6 (1/21): Overconfidence Bias
Topic: The Illusion of Understanding
Theme: How overconfidence affects our ability to make accurate predictions and judgments.


How The Class Is Structured? 

Each class session will be carefully designed to be both educational and interactive, ensuring your child remains engaged while learning important life skills. The sessions will be structured as follows:

Introduction and Concept Overview: A brief explanation of the day’s key ideas and why they matter.

Deep Dive into the Topic: We’ll break down complex concepts into relatable, age-appropriate lessons, using examples from the books and real-life situations.

Interactive Activities: Students will participate in discussions, small group activities, and interactive games that reinforce the lessons. For example, they might take part in decision-making scenarios or reflect on their own goals using the principles discussed.

Q&A and Reflection: Students will have the chance to ask questions and share their thoughts, allowing for deeper understanding and connection to the material.

How I Teach? 

The teaching approach for this class is designed to make complex ideas accessible and exciting for young learners. Through a combination of:

Lectures: Each session will begin with an engaging, concise lecture to introduce the key ideas and concepts.

Interactive Discussion: Students will be encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and discuss the material in a supportive, open environment.

Games and Activities: Learning will be enhanced through carefully crafted activities that challenge students to think critically and creatively. These include fun quizzes, scenario-based exercises, and group challenges.

Visual Aids and Slides: Visuals like slides and diagrams will be used to illustrate concepts, helping to make abstract ideas more concrete and memorable.

Video Clips: Relevant video clips will be integrated to showcase real-life examples of the principles being discussed. These clips will help students see how these powerful ideas work in the world around them.

What’s My Teaching Style? 

The teaching style is dynamic, engaging, and student-centered. As the instructor, I believe in creating a space where students feel comfortable asking questions and exploring new ideas. I encourage active participation and aim to foster a growth mindset by focusing on effort, improvement, and learning from challenges. Each class will be interactive and collaborative, ensuring that students are not just passive learners, but active participants in their own educational journey. I strive to make each lesson feel like an exciting exploration of ideas that can truly make a difference in their lives.

How Much Will Learners Get to Interact? 

Interaction is a key part of the Great Book Series. Your child will engage with me and their classmates in several ways:

Live Discussions: Students will actively participate in discussions where they share their thoughts on the material and how it relates to the real world.

Small Group Activities: Students will work in smaller groups during activities to collaborate and learn from one another.

Q&A Sessions: At the end of each session, there will be time for questions and reflections, ensuring each student has the opportunity to clarify ideas and connect the material to real life.

Games and Challenges: Interactive games and problem-solving challenges will keep learners engaged and help them apply what they’ve learned in a fun, competitive environment.

The Great Book Series is more than just a class—it's an opportunity for your child to unlock powerful ideas and timeless wisdom that will guide them toward future success. This is a chance to invest in their intellectual growth, teaching them lessons that will benefit them not just in school, but throughout their lives.