P4C Library

library header

Stimulus materials, articles and projects

Our library is the place to find stimulus materials, recommended resources, original stories, lesson plans, inspiring articles and a host of other items to help you bring about great philosophical inquiries.

With your help, our lists of recommended resources for inquiry will become the most comprehensive on the web. If you would like to suggest a resource to add to any of the lists, start a new topic in the 'Recommendations' forum.

The p4c library resources on this page are organised in a simple table. If you use the sub-menus in the left column, you will be able to filter the list according to the resource category. Sort any table using the column headings. Enjoy!

TitleCategoryAuthorCreatedsort icon
Newsletter, April 2010
NewslettersSteve Williams04/04/2010 - 19:26
Choose a King
An activity leading to dialogue about qualities of leadership after reading ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ by Maurice Sendak (activity cards attached)
Lesson OutlinesSara Stanley17/03/2010 - 19:06
Choose a King
An activity leading to dialogue about qualities of leadership after reading ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ by Maurice Sendak (activity cards attached)
Picture BooksSara Stanley17/03/2010 - 19:06
How to Live Forever
A community of enquiry around the concept of immortality (PDF attached)
Lesson OutlinesMichelle Whitworth17/03/2010 - 15:44
Healthy and Unhealthy
Ideas for a community of enquiry around the concepts of healthy and unhealthy food, and also the influence of advertising. (PDF attached)
Lesson OutlinesMichelle Whitworth17/03/2010 - 14:36
Prove it!
A groups of girls tries to convince one of their classmates that she doesn't exist. A PDF files is attached for you to print off.
Stories & StorytellingLiz Martinez12/02/2010 - 00:12
Thou shalt not give to the poor
A woman has her 'charity' questioned when she stumbles across a man slumped in a doorway.
Stories & StorytellingLiz Martinez12/02/2010 - 00:06
The reading
After visiting a fortune teller, a student wonders if her fate is already set and, if so, what she should do about it.
Stories & StorytellingLiz Martinez11/02/2010 - 23:53
Mr Whippy’s Woman
A story about a the temptations of keeping a treat to oneself. It could lead to discusisons about sharing, fairness and realtionships between children and adults. A PDF file is attached.
Stories & StorytellingLiz Martinez11/02/2010 - 23:42
Tulips from Amsterdam
A story about history -- or maybe myth. Also about risk, markets and speculation.
Stories & StorytellingJason Buckley11/02/2010 - 23:22
The visitor
A story about ghostly time travelling relatives judging the ethical standards of different times. This could lead to a discussion about right and wring, whether ethical standards change and how we should judge people in the past. A PDF file is attached.
Stories & StorytellingJason Buckley11/02/2010 - 23:14
Good luck, bad luck
A fold tale about luck and consequences. It could also lead into discussions about the pros and cons of basing ones decision making soley on consideration of consequences, or about probability. The story is given on the webpage and as a PDF attachment.
Stories & StorytellingJason Buckley11/02/2010 - 22:58
Newsletter, November 2009
NewslettersSteve Williams09/11/2009 - 14:22
Kat’s Dilemma: a dialogue about drugs in sport
A dialogue and supporting science work on drugs in sport.
Scripts and DialoguesLynda Dunlop09/11/2009 - 13:26
Moving image resources for p4c
A colelction of moving image stimuli available on the Internet, from youtube, the BBC and others.
Recommended!Nick Chandley29/10/2009 - 01:41
It Was Long Ago - Poem by Eleanor Farjeon
A poem by the English poet Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), whose most recognised work would be the lyrics to 'Morning Has Broken'. She recounts an early childhood memory that, she says, '...means a great deal to me'.
Recommended!Nick Chandley13/10/2009 - 13:33
Newsletter, October 2009
NewslettersSteve Williams05/10/2009 - 19:47
Personal and Social Philosophy

A philosophy inititive for secondary schools and an argument for a wiser approach to PLTS, SEAL, PSHE, Citizenship and Cross-curriculum dimensions.

P4C ArticlesRoger Sutcliffe04/10/2009 - 19:47
The nano conscience
A futuristic role play to investigate some approaches to ethics. Pupils could investigate their own questions stimulated by the role play later
Role playsSteve Williams01/10/2009 - 14:49
Aliens Invade

A story to use by itself or to stimulate dialogue about animal rights.

Stories & StorytellingThe Editor27/09/2009 - 19:40
'Healthy Eating Can Cut Crime'
An article around how additional food supplements has been suggested may cut crime rates
Recommended!Nick Chandley20/09/2009 - 10:12
'Healthy Eating Can Cut Crime'
An article around how additional food supplements has been suggested may cut crime rates
News ResourcesNick Chandley20/09/2009 - 10:12
Newswise - Chocolate Sources
One of the most popular editions of Newswise, which challenges stereotypes about big companies (exemplified by Cadbury), and raises issues around child labour.
News ResourcesRoger Sutcliffe11/08/2009 - 15:41
'Good to be me' script
A dialogue bringing together a number of the key concepts under the Primary SEAL theme 5: 'Good to be me'.
Scripts and DialoguesRoger Sutcliffe10/08/2009 - 22:04
The Ant and the Grasshopper
A scripted version of the well-known story with four alternative endings and suggestions for using it with a class.
Scripts and DialoguesMichelle Whitworth24/05/2009 - 15:38