100% Free Program
The Art of Living
This 10-week course is designed to allow children to explore the wisdom of great philosophers, learning how their teachings can guide us in navigating the complexities of being human beings on Earth!
* This unit is open to anyone across the globe.
Register for a FREE Upschool account to enrol in this course.
About the Course
This 10-week course is designed to allow children to explore the wisdom of great philosophers, learning how their teachings can guide us in navigating the complexities of being human beings on Earth!
What is this Course About?
We’re about to embark on an exhilarating educational adventure that takes us through the minds of some of the greatest philosophers in history. From the streets of ancient Athens to the salons of Enlightenment-era Europe, we will delve into the teachings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and more, discovering how their ideas can still impact our lives today.
Through this course, students will engage with the profound thoughts of these philosophers, learning how concepts like trust, justice, balance, and autonomy can be applied to their own lives and communities. It’s a unique opportunity for children to learn outside the conventional classroom setting, developing critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills.
But we’re not stopping there. Each student will choose a philosopher who piques their curiosity. They’ll dive into an exploratory quest to uncover the key ideas of their chosen thinker and share these with the world in the hope of fostering wisdom and understanding through the celebration of diverse perspectives.
Topics We’ll Cover
Trust and Honesty: Understanding how these virtues build strong communities, inspired by Socrates.
Justice and Morality: Exploring the foundations of a fair society with Plato.
Balance and Virtue: Learning about the importance of harmony in life with Aristotle.
Autonomy vs. Authority: Debating the role of individual freedom with Kant.
Equality and Gender Roles: Challenging societal norms through the eyes of Simone de Beauvoir.
Ethics and Animal Rights: Discussing the moral treatment of all beings with Peter Singer.
Perception and Reality: Investigating how our minds shape our experiences with Descartes.
Social Justice and Fairness: Imagining a fair world with John Rawls.
What Will We Create?
Each week, we will guide you through lessons inspired by the teachings of a different philosopher. Each lesson will focus on a specific philosophical concept.
Your job is to choose a philosopher of your own and create a similar book called ‘The Art of Living’.
Once your book is finished, you can decide what to do with it, but it must make the world a better place thanks to your hard work and understanding.
Weekly Lesson Plans
Each week, teachers will be able to download a meticulously crafted lesson plan, designed to be translated and adapted in accordance with local educational authority guidelines. These ten weekly lesson plans are made available for teachers and parents to ensure they can tailor the learning experience to fit the specific needs of their students and the curriculum standards of their school.
Real World Learning
Implementing Change
Throughout this course, students will be encouraged to implement the philosophical concepts they learn into their own lives. They will reflect on how these teachings can bring about positive change in their behaviour, relationships, and outlook on life.
Creating a Booklet
Students will create a booklet summarising the key lessons they’ve learned, along with practical tips for others to follow. This booklet will serve as a guide to living a more thoughtful, ethical, and balanced life, inspired by the philosophers studied.
Weekly Poetry and Comic Strips
Each week, students will create a poem, such as a Haiku, that captures the essence of the philosophical concept being studied. They will also design a comic strip aimed at helping younger children understand these ideas in a simple and engaging way. These creative projects will be included in the booklet and shared with others as part of the students’ contribution to making philosophical ideas accessible to all ages.
- Purpose & Intention
- Global Perspective
- Making A Real Difference
- Curriculum Aligned
Everything we do at Upschool:
Real-World Learning
We take 'real-world' to the next level by designing projects with 'real' outcomes.
Entrepreneurship With Purpose
We want to teach the entrepreneurs of tomorrow to operate with purpose and ethics.
Team Players & Collaborators
Our projects bring children, teachers and communities together to work towards a common goal.
Creativity & Problem Solving
We inspire creative thinking and dynamic problem solving. These are the skills for tomorrow.
Skill Based Learning
From graphic design & film making to creative writing and storytelling (and everything in between)
“It has been a privilege for our children to be a part of the initial Upschool program focussing on creating a Changemaking Community. Our students have been engaged from the outset, and we have seen a measurable improvement in not only their literacy skills but also in their empathy towards others and their understanding of how to connect to communities both locally and abroad. The resources that are provided are outstanding and have kept our students motivated towards their goals.
It has transformed the way that we approach teaching within the school, giving our students an authentic purpose and opportunity to make a real world difference.
As a school we are committed to the work that Upschool is doing and are looking forward to our next work with them.”
Daniel Frew (Principal, Lower Plenty Primary School, Melbourne)
Register for a FREE Upschool account to enrol in this course
Some Common Questions
You probably have lots of questions!
Register for a FREE Upschool account to enrol in this course
?
It’s 100% free – yes. Nothing to pay to be involved.
We have 5 year old children right through to adults participating. It’s differentiated and open to everyone.
Either. Whole school engagement is the best way to have maximum impact, but it certainly can be done by one class or by one year level. You can even use it as an extension program for a small number of students too if that works for you.
Absolutely. Anyone can join!
No, not at all. Individuals (adults and children) can go through the course.