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Please note: Due to the discussion-based nature of this course, there must be at least 2 learners enrolled in order to run it. Sections with 1 learner will be cancelled or asked to transfer.

🌟 General 🌟
In this class, students will learn about famous philosophers throughout history, tackling one philosophical idea per week. This class promotes deep and critical thinking, and ultimately allows students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Throughout this class, students will have the opportunity to develop their own principles, values, and ideas about how to live fulfilling lives.

🌟 Class structure 🌟
✅  Warm up: First, I introduce the topic with a question that prompts the students to start thinking. 

✅ Discussion: Next, we have a preliminary discussion about the week's big idea. This allows students to identify and understand what they think about each topic before learning what philosophers think.

✅  Mini-lesson: Then, when the discussion comes to an end, I transition to a mini-lesson about prominent philosophers who wrote about the week's topic. This lesson is interactive and I frequently pause to ask students questions or participate in the lesson.

✅ Discussion: After the mini-lesson, students will discuss the topic in light of what they've learned, agree Students are invited to respond to each other and ask probing questions that further thinking. I mediate the conversation, asking questions and guiding discussion where appropriate. Sometimes, I ask a series of questions in response to our discussion, or I ask students to do a short writing exercise before we come back together to discuss. The aim here is to engage in exploratory and rhetorical discussion that centers are ideas and dilemmas that philosophy explores. 

✅ Wrap up: Finally, students will have time to share out a few key takeaways from the day’s discussion before we sign off. 

🌟 Weekly Breakdown 🌟

November Start:
1. November 14 - November 20: Simplicity
[🦃 November 21 - November 27 (Thanksgiving) **NO CLASSES]
2. November 28 - December 4: Communication
3. December 5 - December 11: Perspective
4. December 12 - December 18: Flexibility
5. December 19 - December 25: Empathy
[☃️ December 26 - January 1: Winter Break *NO CLASSES]
6. January 2 - January 8: Individuality
7. January 9 - January 15: Belonging
8. January 16 - January 22: Serenity
9. January 23 - January 29: Possibility
10. January 30 - February 5: Joy

February Start:
1. February 6 - February 12: Simplicity
2. February 13 - February 19: Communication
3. February 20 - February 26: Perspective
4. February 27 - March 5: Flexibility
5. March 6 - March 12: Empathy
6. March 13 - March 19: Individuality
7. March 20 - March 26: Belonging
8. March 27 - April 2: Serenity
9. April 3 - April 9: Possibility
10. April 10 - April 16: Joy

April Start:
1. April 17 - April 23: Simplicity
2. April 24 - April 30: Communication
3. May 1 - May 7: Perspective
4. May 8 - May 14: Flexibility
5. May 15 - May 21: Empathy
6. May 22 - May 28: Individuality
7. May 29 - June 4: Belonging
8. June 5 - June 11: Serenity
9. June 12 - June 18: Possibility
10. June 19 - June 25: Joy

🌟 Teaching Methods 🌟
My role in this class is to be a socratic facilitator of discussion. The course is very student-centered, and each class is different based on what the students bring to the discussion. My classroom is always a safe space where students can feel free to express themselves without judgement. Rest assured, I work actively to maintain this classroom environment.

🌟 Interaction 🌟
Students have a lot of time to interact with each other through socratic discussion.

🌟 Prior Knowledge 🌟
This class requires no prior knowledge. However, it is best for students who enjoy deep thinking and deep discussion.

🌟 About the Teacher 🌟
Meg Connolly is a certified teacher with bachelors degrees in literature and philosophy. She has masters degrees in teaching ELA, grades 7-12, and in teaching students with disabilities. In addition to her masters, she is TESOL certified and experienced in working with ESL students. She has nine years of teaching experience both in the US public school system and online. She also writes her own fictional short stories for podcasts. Check out her teacher profile for more info.

🌟 Meet and Greet 🌟
If you or your learner are hesitant to sign up before meeting me (understandably!), feel free to book a meet and greet here: https://outschool.com/classes/meet-greet-15-minute-session-MGpwi3mP#usXSuDFS3Z