Agora : it-tagħlim tal-Malti fil-primarja permezz ta' temi filosofiċi

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to devise and implement a philosophy for children guidebook for teachers, for the development of the four language skills in the mother tongue for children in the junior years, particularly year six children. The teachers' guidebook draws on experiences, themes and issues related to this particular age group as depicted in a popular cartoon series, literature books for young readers and the set reader 'ld-Denfil' for Yr 6 (state schools). These sources were all used to explore, discover and discuss the philosophical concepts through dialogue within a class community of enquiry. The teachers' guidebook was implemented during six discussion sessions whi1.h were carried out with the children and which have been analysed according to their distinctive discourse features. The discussions verified the link children made between the concepts explored during the discussions, their actual experiences and corresponding themes in story books. Furthermore the discussions were helpful to provide evidence that critical thinking and creative thinking contribute to the use of language and vice- versa. The study also includes the history of philosophy for children and it explores the idea of using the media and stories as resources for the classroom.