I certainly hope so! Thanks

You might reach more people as a student than as part of an official school curriculum.

People who produce cirricula that schools buy get started somewhere.

Trying to find The Wave movie. Do you have a link?

I have actually watched that movie 3 or 4 times, it's amazing, and so are your ideas about interaction before the formal class, i can manage to adapt and apply that to my classes, thanks!

Another device I learned, from Brandon was the philosophy tree, Illustrating the 5 branches of philosophy: The root= metaphysics, the trunk = epistemology, the branches = politics, the flower = art. I don't know the age range you are teaching, but certain illustrations or stories, I found to have a potent effect. When talking of a definition of man, I told the story of Socrates asking his students for that definition. they came up with "A featherless biped." Whereupon the next day, he produced a plucked chicken. The definition I provided was "A creature of volitional consciousness." Hope these suggestions are helpful.

I taught all kinds of subjects for a really long time, and what I think is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing I learned is that no one method or subject "works" for all students. Example? most information presented in government schools is spoken - most people are visual learners. The most effective "Courses" I ever taught were the ones in which the first thing I did was to ask the student to write a paragraph or so about the subject. This let me know how well they wrote, how well they researched, how interested in the topic they were - and how much they already knew, so they didn't have to "re-learn" anything. [BORING!!!!!] I also asked them to write somewhere between 5 and 10 questions that they would like to have answered about the subject. Then the student and I would design the curriculum. YES, it's hard work, and a lot of it - but students learn best what they are interested in, and what they have some control over. It should not be a passive activity! I used everything I could find, primary sources when possible, and did that "checking for understanding" thing. How do you know that the student understood what you said, what he read, etc? Some parts of teaching are simple: the days on which I had to said "OK, the first person who finds my keys gets $1.50!" no keys. "OK, I need the keys now! $5!" They showed up. They weren't hidden, it's just that people will work harder for $5 than they will for $1.50 - a basic economics lesson!
I also love the evil tactic of asking them to debate AGAINST the position they are actually FOR.
I could go on and on [and have!] but the basic tenet is that I don't believe there is any such thing as teaching. I can't insert information into your brain - only you can. I can make it easier, more accessible, at your reading level, in line with your interests - but I can't do it to you.
oooooh, ooooooh, I will suggest one film - "The Wave", by James Clavell. A group of students questioned whether Nazism would be popular today, and decided it wouldn't. Their teacher [through a long process] essentially fostered a Nazi attitude/belief/culture in the class. They fell right into it, and were excited to go to a meeting in which they could meet the Leader. The curtains opened on a huge photo of Hitler, and there was this loooooooong silence. My students had great discussions after watching it.
good luck; it sounds like you are seeing a void and making sure it get filled with the right stuff!

Just did it! thanks!

You can also join https://www.facebook.com/groups/tolfa/ if you like.

I enjoy it almost as much as the students.

I think I will use this format in my next philosophy class, it sounds really neat and easier to understand. I am actually getting a few of them to open their minds, not many, but still, more than what I expected!

Wow, this is really helpful (Courses already assembled by qualified people? What could be better?). Thank you so much!

I will have to read about this more deeply, but it seems like a simple way to make them use their brain for once! hahah

Oh, my school is in Argentina, I've always been kind of the main figure in my class, because of things like this hahaha, and my school is really supportive towards me to be honest, they actually care a lot about me and what I've got to say. They have grown fond of me, so I am allowed to do this kind of things hahaha

Nah, I am a student doing extracurricular talks hahahah, I know it isn't much, but as long as I can reach a few minds and take them out of the foggy modern general "Ideals" and "morals" it's enough for me

This seems like a great idea to put into practice, specially when trying to make the ones who aren't that knowledgeable in the subject of economics understand it, thanks, I am going to use this hahah

Definitely reading them! Thanks for the collaboration!

Have you tried using Monopoly money? Love it when I hand out money then take out leases, utilities, loans, taxes, etc and let students see what an employer is left with. Just an idea !

There are two books that might help you in developing your program the titles are......

1)Understanding Objectivism: A Guide to Learning Ayn Rand's Philosophy by Leonard Peikoff and Michael S. Berliner

2) Objectivism in One Lesson: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Ayn Rand by Andrew Bernstein

Some years ago, I did a lecture series on The Philosophy of Objectivism. It was a small turn-out, but some very bright, questioning minds attended. I started with an explanation of definitions, and led into a definition of man which led to the various parts of philosophy which briefly touched on philosophies through the ages, leading up to Objectivism. The ten or so people who got something out of it, may have actually gone on to learn more, but I was never allowed to present any follow-up talks. Probably thought I was too insidious to continue. In any case I wish you well and applaud you for your bravery. If you succeed with only one student by opening his/her mind to the possibilities of a new outlook, you have performed a great service.

We teach our own curriculum too... we homeschool :)

My recommendation is to the Curriculum found in The Online Freedom Academy - www.tolfa.us - as your platform. The entire course is free to download (you are actually encouraged to do so) and use offline.

http://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/AA/00/00...

Sherabcas: Huh?