“I shall suppose… some evil demon, no less cunning and deceiving than powerful, who has used all its artifice to deceive me.”
René Descartes, The Meditations
“All you have to do is find something that’s real. Then you win.”
This is the story of when a girl named Delphi met a demon.
But don’t worry. Delphi, if you haven’t met her before, is not someone who is usually scared of things like demons, monsters or grownups. In fact, she is the most determined of creatures, a nine-year-old girl, and like a lot of children, has a talent for arguing, asking questions and generally being difficult.
She has already in her short life, growing up in a district near the centre of Athens, met gods, monsters and, worst of all, adults who think they should teach her things. Some of them have even been famous philosophers – people who seek out wisdom by asking unanswerable questions. But she has never met anything quite like a demon. So perhaps we should worry… just a little bit.
Join Delphi on this next philosophical adventure for children (following Delphi the Philosopher), as she meets the Demon’s challenge and tackles some of the most famous philosophical puzzles in history. With her friend Plato to help her, surely she can overcome any trap or cunning argument the Demon can set her… can’t she? Learn how to use logic, ask big questions and understand famous philosophical ideas to prove that even when everything can be doubted, there is still every reason to believe.
Explore the Story!
Delphi the Dreamer is a story written to introduce children to philosophy, building on Delphi the Philosopher.
Each chapter, as well as telling Delphi's story, asks big questions that help to further develop children's listening, questioning, reasoning and explaining skills.
Delphi the Dreamer has been created to be a powerful learning experience in philosophy for children.
This scheme of work follows the same format and structure as Delphi the Philosopher, but is targeted at slightly older children (9-14) or those more experienced in doing philosophy.
While Delphi the Philosopher focuses primarily on ethics, Delphi the Dreamer focuses on questions of being, reality and identity. It also continues the skills progression established in the first scheme of work, challenging children to further develop their listening, questioning, reasoning and explaining skills.
This scheme will suit primary aged children who have already completed Delphi the Philosopher, or older children who are ready to start their journey into philosophy with some even bigger questions!
During the story, children will develop their listening, questioning, reasoning and explaining skills, including learning to:
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identify philosophical and abstract ideas
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use ‘if’ to explore possibilities and examples
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take their thinking from concrete to abstract ideas
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use logic to explore an idea
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identify what would, should or could be true
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present ideas to an audience
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logically infer
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use argument structure
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explain doubt and proof
For teachers and school leaders
The full set of resources for
Delphi the Dreamer
- everything you need to get teaching with Delphi at Primary or Secondary level
School Version
The complete set of materials of Delphi the Dreamer - our second full scheme of work and story with in-built progression of thinking and learning skills.
Learn more about the scheme of work here.
You will receive:
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The full colour 170 page e-book of Delphi the Dreamer, including guidance notes for teachers throughout and a Quick Start guide.
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Detailed lesson plans for each chapter to enable you to teach the full term's scheme of work (for age 9+).
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The Delphi Philosophy Teacher's Guide, containing guidance on best practice in teaching philosophy and the skills progression framework to enable you to assess progress.
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Picture slideshows for every chapter, including all the questions and over 250 hand drawn and painted colour illustrations.
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The sentence stems and other display materials ready to print off for your classroom.
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Lesson resources - including a 'How to Draw Delphi' guide!
All resources in .pdf or .ppsx format.
For parents, home schoolers and young readers
The full story with all the illustrations in an easy to read format!
Home Version
Become a philosopher by following Delphi's adventures into the world of philosophy!
With her best friend Plato, you'll discover the sinister Demon's challenge, explore big questions and learn how to develop your thinking skills.
An ideal resource for parents or home schools keen to develop children's thinking skills or for independently reading children looking for even bigger ideas and even bigger laughs!
Includes:
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The full colour e-book of Delphi the Dreamer, containing the complete story, with all the questions and over 250 hand drawn and painted illustrations.
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Includes a special introduction for parents and children.
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Also includes a special 'About the Authors' section - written by two young philosophers!
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Presented in a larger font and with larger pictures for easy reading on a tablet.
Book in .pdf format.
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- Full set of printable resources for Delphi's Guide to Athens
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