Phun Philosophy and Critical Thinking for Kids
Jordan Kohanim
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(152)
In this ongoing class, leaners cultivate critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills while challenging assumptions they live by and expand their awareness of different perspectives and possibilities.
Class experience
US Grade 6 - 9
Philosophy is the study of ideas, and it is a discipline ripe for pop culture reference and examination. Whether it is discussing how Rick and Morty are existentialists in search of absurdism or how Spongbob Squarepants explains Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, philosophers engaged in all sorts of disciplines are continuously exploring how media and art reflect questions of self and society. In this ongoing class, students meet weekly, bringing their favorite pop philosophy news of the week to...
Standards aligned with Common Core Literacy: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.4 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.5 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.6 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.7 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.8 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.9 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.10 Students will learn how to: analyze how a work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text analyze how a theme from a literary work develops over time and fits into the historical context analyze how a work of nonfiction uses persuasive techniques to convey an idea determine the meaning of words and phrases and how they are used in a text
-I have a BS in English Education from Kennesaw State University -I have a minor in Philosophy from Kennesaw State University -To teach a high school level course, I have the expertise of teaching English Language Arts in a public high school in the United States for 15 years -I have taught this course through the Governer’s Honors Program in the United States -I have taught this type of discussion model for 15 years -I am AP Lit and AP Lang certified through the state of Georgia -I have won Teacher of the Year multiple times -I am currently certified with the National Council for Teachers of English -I am currently certified to teach English Language Arts Level T-7 (Highly Qualified) under the Georgia Professional Standards Commission from 2007 - 2022; certification to be renewed 2026
Homework Offered
Assessments Offered
Largely discussion based monitored by teacher. Students may be asked share out mind maps for reflectionGrades Offered
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
These discussions will revolve around secular, philosophical constructs during which any discussions around world religions will be carefully monitored but not halted, provided they are conducted in a respectful way. Young children’s experience is already replete with philosophical questioning and meaning. They have strong, even visceral, intuitions of what is beautiful and ugly, fair and unfair, right and wrong. They enjoy playing with language and are intrigued by logical puzzles. Children are full of questions – and, significantly, many of their questions have philosophical content. And, in the class, the bigger questions – what it means to be alive, how to be good, what is the purpose of human life – are given the appropriate space to be debated and discussed. The cartoons discussed will be announced prior to class meetings so learners can choose to opt out of those sessions if desired. Parents need to be aware that some language exists in these cartoons, but discussions will be monitored carefully and no hate speech will be tolerated.
Philosophy Now magazine (referenced by teacher--not seen by students) Episodes from various cartoons (clips discussed): Youtube clips shown only through teacher's screen. students do NOT need to access/ account. South Park Adventure Time Winnie the Pooh Rick and Morty SpongeBob Square Pants Courage the Cowardly Dog
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(152)
Hi! My name is Jordan Kohanim. :-) I have been teaching high school English Language Arts for 15 years in the United States. I am a member of the Review Board for the National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE). I also am a nationally...
Group Class
$18
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
3-12 learners per class
