Abbeywood First School


To understand how P4C can support learning across the curriculum

To understand the process of P4C sequences of learning

To reflect upon how P4C could support learning in your own setting

The central principle, as expressed by
Matthew Lipman, its founder, is that teachers establish: ‘an intellectually provocative environment in which children can discuss in a free and open fashion themes that interest them.’ This environment—the community of enquiry—is a safe forum for intellectual risk taking but is also ‘impelled by the spirit of enquiry …’
(Matthew Lipman Philosophy goes to
School,1988, p128).

A collaborative and reflective approach to discussion built up over time with the same group of learners.
It aims to achieve:

Community: cooperation, care, respect and safety

Enquiry: a search for understanding, meaning, truth and values supported by reasons


Initially began as meaningful way of developing speaking and listening skills

Vehicle for supporting other curriculum areas
 PSHE
 Science
 Inference an deduction in reading
 Specific school issues such as racism
 Reasoning and dialogue in maths
 Questioning












Games and warm ups
Stimulus (play, picture, story, film, poem)
Brainstorm concepts
Generate questions
Vote for questions
Debate!
Evaluate
Opportunities for writing, drama

 brainstorming themes and concepts
 generating questions
 voting for questions

Building the skills wall.


Visit a mixed year 1 and 2 class and a year 3 class to see them holding their debates.

Discuss what you have seen.

Any questions?






Wonder of the week
Would you rather…
◦ Find a magic sweety bag that is always full
◦ Find a magic book that talks to you
◦ Find a magic carpet that can take you anywhere
Always, sometimes, never
O’meters
Yes/No/Don’t know

Which of the following are examples of fairness:
• Teachers give an equal amount of help to every pupil
• The teacher gives everyone in the class five hours homework every day
• A white person is paid more than a black person
• A black pupil gets better marks at school than a white pupil
• Male athletes get paid more than female athletes