Thinking Time

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What is "Thinking Time"?

"Thinking Time" is philosophy with children.

How does it work?

A topic for discussion is chosen/agreed a few days in advance. The day before, the child to open the discussion is chosen. Children and teacher sit in a circle for "Thinking Time". After a child has spoken, she tips the child next to her who speaks if she wishes to do so. The topic goes around the circle a number of times. Children listen carefully to the speaker. They in turn are listened to. No-one may interrupt another. There are no right or wrong answers and the aim is not to reach conclusions but to discuss, question and express opinions.

Who can do it?

Children of any age can participate in and benefit from "Thinking Time".

Thinking time is when the whole class sits around in a circle and talks about a subject picked the previous day. I think it is a good way to say what you feel. A rule we have in it is, only one person may speak at a time, so we are all able to say what we feel. Each week we use a doll and pass it around the circle.

Amy Sweetman - Fifth Class

Thinking time is good. We all sit in a circle and talk about something. One person starts. We go around the circle twice and when we have gone around twice we put up our hands. The person that started will pick someone. I like it because you get to talk about something and hear what the other person says.

Chiara Martin - Fifth Class

Why Thinking Time?

Thinking time is good because you learn to listen to other people and say what you think on the matter. When you are in Thinking Time you respect people and people respect you. I like thinking time because you can say what you feel and other people will respect you.

Ciara Foley - Fifth Class

You have a chance to say what you feel about certain things. People listen to you and comment on what you said when it is their turn. Some people agree and some people disagree with what you said.

Amy Vaughan - Fifth Class

What do we discuss?

In "Thinking Time" you can discuss anything. Topics we have discussed include:

·         Where did numbers come from?

·         What would happen if there was no alphabet?

·         Is there life on other planets?

·         What kind of world would you create?

·         What makes you feel happy/sad/lonely/angry etc.?

·         Where is heaven?

·         Do trees and plants feel?

·         Where did the first seed come from?

·         What happens when we dream?

Every week we talk about a different subject. My favourite subject was when we were talking about Kosovo. I think it's interesting and you learn lots of new stuff. If you don't want to say anything you can just listen to what other people say.

Amy Weafer - Fifth Class

We get a topic. We sit in a circle and somebody starts talking about the topic we picked. When they're finished they pass it on and the next person shares their point of view. If you don't like the topic that was picked, you will enjoy it as time goes on. You also get to learn things and to know other people's thoughts.

Laura Moher - Fifth Class

Fourth Class Thoughts About the Sky.

"No-one will ever touch the sky, it is just there."

"God created the sky for Mary, it is blue and white."

"Are there people under us with a brown sky?"

"Once in their life people touch the end of the sky - when they die."

"If the sky had a top like a bubble and a spaceship burst it, we would fly around like a burst balloon!"

I think "Thinking Time" is a good way to express your feelings. The people involved really get the idea and they are also good listeners. The subjects that we talk about are very interesting. I like it because we spend time together as a group. If we didn't express ourselves in "Thinking Time" we would have all our feelings caught up inside. I think the most important thing about "Thinking Time" is learning how to speak in public.

Fiona McKenna - Fifth Class

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