Exploring concepts — a key aspect of Philosophy for Children — is a great way of getting students to think together.
Here’s a simple concept map. Put four central concepts / big ideas in the centre, and connected ones in the outer circle.
This will help you and your students ask philosophical questions.
Here are some example questions based on big ideas from Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak:
Imagination
Can you imagine something that doesn’t exist — or does that mean it does exist?
Which is more important: imagination or knowledge?
Family
Should family always come first?
Can you love someone in your family but not always like them?
Behaviour
Should people always follow the rules?
Can someone behave badly but still be a good person?
Respect
Should we respect everyone — even if they don’t respect us?
Is it more important to respect yourself, or respect others?
