TH!NK: Philosophy for 5th Graders

Now in its eleventh year, TH!NK has served thousands of students in elementary schools across Orange County. We consider philosophy to be a skill rather than a subject matter (more like reading or riding a bike than American history or psychology).  Regarded in this way, philosophy is critical thinking, the skill of examining presuppositions, recognizing connections, seeking justification; all towards the end of providing insight into something - anything! - of interest.

Developed by Mark Fiocco, Professor of Philosophy, the program brings faculty and graduate student facilitators into 5th grade classrooms once a week for four weeks. After reading aloud a short story, excerpt of a longer work, poem, or fable with small groups, facilitators raise questions that explore the language, logic, and ideas of the text. Students are encouraged to provide arguments for their claims and to examine their own presuppositions as well as those of the text. The result is a lively exchange in which all students are involved, especially since the themes are often directly relevant to a student’s life. Students have an opportunity to develop their views, in a consciously directed way, leading them to appreciate carefully reasoned thought and to engage with others' points of view. 

The growth of the students who participate in TH!NK goes beyond how they answer survey questions. These students become aware of new abilities and new challenges. This is apparent not only to their teachers, but their parents as well. TH!NK shows that anyone can be a philosopher, and that a life that includes critical thinking is enriched and expanded. The students who participate in TH!NK come to see that philosophers do not wear togas in some long-ago era, but that they wear skirts, shorts, hoodies, or flip-flops and surround us today.

Partner Elementary Schools 

TH!NK program has partnered with the following schools during the past ten years:

  • Canyon View Elementary (Irvine Unified School District) 
  • Stonegate Elementary (IUSD)
  • Westpark Elementary (IUSD)
  • Mariners Elementary (Newport-Mesa Unified School District)
  • San Joaquin Elementary (Saddleback Valley Unified School District)
  • Viejo Elementary (Capistrano Unified School District)

Donors

The following have generously donated to TH!NK: 

  • Patrick Seaver and Sonja Berggren
  • Mrs. Tricia Nichols
  • PLATO: Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization
  • Marc Sanders Foundation (2017-2020)
  • UCI ADVANCE Spirit Grant for Inclusive Excellence Award (2015)
  • UCI Humanities Center 

Budding Philosophers by UCI Strategic Communications

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSFrCm2UYow
Article https://news.uci.edu/2015/05/18/budding-philosophers/

Contact Dr. Mark Fiocco for more information.