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Lesson plan of Origin of Philosophy

Philosophy

Original Teachy

Origin of Philosophy

Objectives (5 - 10 minutes)

  1. Understand the origin of philosophy in Ancient Greece: Students should be able to identify the historical, social, and cultural context that gave rise to philosophy. They should understand the difference between mythical and philosophical thinking, and how philosophy emerged as a way to explain the world based on reason and observation, as opposed to mythology.

  2. Identify and discuss the early philosophers and their contributions: Students should be able to name the early philosophers and describe their main ideas and contributions to the development of philosophy. The concept of 'love of wisdom' should be emphasized, as well as how these philosophers sought rational and logical answers to questions that were previously explained by myths.

  3. Reflect on the relevance of philosophical knowledge in today's society: After understanding the origin of philosophy and the contributions of the early philosophers, students should be able to discuss the importance of philosophy in today's society. They should be encouraged to think about how philosophy influences our thinking, beliefs, and actions, and how it helps us understand the world in a more critical and reflective way.

Secondary Objectives:

  • Develop research and critical thinking skills: During the learning process, students will be encouraged to research more about the philosophers and ideas discussed in the classroom. This will help develop their research and critical thinking skills.

  • Promote active participation in classroom discussions: Through group and classroom discussion activities, students will be encouraged to express their opinions and ideas, promoting active participation and the development of communication skills.

  • Stimulate the connection between philosophy and other disciplines: Students should be encouraged to make connections between philosophy and other disciplines, such as history and literature, to gain a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the topic.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

  1. Review of prior knowledge: The teacher should start the lesson by reminding students about the importance of critical thinking and the search for rational answers. A brief review of the difference between myth and reason can be done, reminding students of the importance of mythology in ancient Greek cultures. At this point, it is also interesting to ask students if they have heard about philosophy and what ideas they associate with this term. (3 - 5 minutes)

  2. Problem situations: To arouse students' interest, the teacher can present two problem situations related to the origin of philosophy. The first one could be: 'Why did the Greeks, who already had a rich mythical tradition, start questioning these explanations and seeking rational answers?' The second one could be: 'How did philosophy, a discipline that began with simple observation of the world, become one of the most complex and abstract areas of human knowledge?' (3 - 5 minutes)

  3. Contextualization: The teacher should then contextualize the importance of the theme, explaining that the origin of philosophy marks the beginning of the search for rational and logical knowledge that still forms the basis of many of our beliefs and values today. It can be mentioned how philosophy influenced the development of other disciplines, such as science and politics, and how it continues to influence our thinking and society today. (2 - 3 minutes)

  4. Introduction to the topic: Finally, the teacher should introduce the topic of the lesson. It can start with a curiosity, such as the story of the Oracle of Delphi, a famous divination center in Ancient Greece that had the inscription 'Know thyself,' considered one of the most important phrases in philosophy. Next, the lesson's objective should be presented: to understand the origin of philosophy in Ancient Greece and the contribution of the early philosophers. (2 - 3 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

  1. Activity 'Philosophical Timeline' (10 - 12 minutes): The teacher should divide the class into groups of up to 5 students. Each group will receive a large sheet of paper, colored pens, and small cards. The group's task will be to create a timeline representing the origin of philosophy, with an emphasis on the early philosophers and their contributions. The cards will be used to write the names of the philosophers and their main ideas, which will be placed on the timeline. The teacher should provide students with a list of philosophers to choose from, including Thales of Miletus, Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Parmenides, among others. Students should be encouraged to research more about the philosophers and their ideas to complete the activity. At the end, each group should present their timeline to the class, explaining the choices made.

  2. Activity 'Philosophical Debate' (8 - 10 minutes): After the timeline activity, the teacher should organize a debate in the classroom. The debate topic will be the importance of philosophy in today's society. Students should be divided into two groups, one arguing that philosophy is essential for society, and the other arguing that it is dispensable. Each group will have a set time to present their arguments and counter the points of the opposing group. The teacher should act as a moderator, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to speak and keeping the debate focused and respectful.

  3. Activity 'Question and Answer Game' (5 - 7 minutes): To conclude the Development stage, the teacher should organize a question and answer game on the lesson's topic. The game can be conducted through an online quiz app, such as Kahoot, or traditionally, with the teacher asking questions and students answering orally. The questions should cover the origin of philosophy, the early philosophers and their ideas, and the importance of philosophy in today's society. The game should be lighthearted and fun, aiming to reinforce learning and content retention.

Throughout these activities, the teacher should move around the classroom, guiding students, clarifying doubts, and encouraging participation and critical thinking. Additionally, the teacher should take advantage of discussions and debates to highlight the relevance of philosophical thinking in shaping a critical, reflective, and ethical society.

Return (10 - 15 minutes)

  1. Group Discussion (5 - 7 minutes): The teacher should gather the whole class in a discussion circle. At this moment, each group will have up to 3 minutes to share the solutions or conclusions they reached during the activities. The groups should highlight the main philosophers and their contributions in their timelines and the arguments presented in the debate. The teacher should encourage students to explain the reasoning behind their choices and reflect on the learning process. This is a crucial moment to deepen students' understanding of the topic and for the teacher to evaluate the effectiveness of the lesson.

  2. Connection to Theory (2 - 3 minutes): After the group discussion, the teacher should make the connection between the practical activities and the theory presented at the beginning of the lesson. It should be emphasized how the activities helped illustrate and deepen students' understanding of the origin of philosophy, the early philosophers, and the importance of philosophy in today's society. The teacher should reinforce the most important concepts and clarify any remaining doubts.

  3. Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should then propose that students make a brief individual reflection on what they learned in the lesson. The teacher can ask guiding questions, such as: 'What was the most important concept you learned today?' and 'What questions have not been answered yet?' Students should have a minute to think about these questions and then will be invited to share their answers with the class. This reflection exercise helps solidify learning and identify any gaps in understanding that need to be addressed in future lessons.

  4. Feedback and Closure (1 - 2 minutes): To conclude the lesson, the teacher should ask for feedback from students about the lesson. The teacher can inquire about what they liked the most, what they found most challenging, and what they would like to learn more about. The teacher should thank the students for their participation and effort and remind them to read and do the homework for the next lesson.

Throughout the Return process, the teacher should maintain an environment of respect and openness, encouraging students to express their opinions and doubts. The teacher should value students' contributions and emphasize the importance of critical thinking and dialogue in philosophy and other areas of knowledge.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

  1. Content Summary (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should start the Conclusion by summarizing the main points discussed during the lesson. The origin of philosophy in Ancient Greece, the transition from mythical to philosophical thinking, and the contributions of the early philosophers should be recalled. The teacher can use the timeline scheme and the debate arguments to reinforce these points. It is important for the teacher to make this recapitulation clear and objective, so that students have an overview of the learned content.

  2. Connection between Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 - 2 minutes): Next, the teacher should explain how the lesson managed to unite theory, practice, and applications. The teacher should highlight how practical activities, such as the timeline and the debate, helped illustrate and deepen the presented theory. Additionally, the teacher should emphasize the applications of the acquired knowledge, explaining how philosophy influences our thinking, beliefs, and actions to this day.

  3. Extra Materials (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should then suggest some extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge on the topic. These materials may include books, articles, documentaries, and philosophy websites. For example, the teacher can recommend reading Plato's 'The Republic' or watching the documentary 'The History of Philosophy.' It is important for the teacher to provide a variety of materials so that students can choose those that best suit their interests and learning style.

  4. Relevance of the Subject (1 minute): To conclude, the teacher should emphasize the importance of the subject in students' daily lives. It should be explained how philosophy, despite being an ancient discipline, is still relevant today, helping us to think critically, question the world around us, and form our own opinions. The teacher should encourage students to apply what they learned in the lesson in their daily lives, promoting more reflective thinking and a more active participation in society.

The teacher should end the lesson by reinforcing the importance of continuous study and critical thinking. Students should be reminded that philosophy is not just content to be learned but a way of thinking and seeing the world that can be applied in all areas of their lives.

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