Philosophical Chairs in Action at ASPIRE Academy at Connolly

Should schools run on a year-round calendar?

That was the question sixth graders at ASPIRE Academy at Connolly Middle School had to consider during a recent Philosophical Chairs activity. 

Rooted in the AVID program that builds students’ inquiry and communication skills, Philosophical Chairs is a structured discussion activity. In this exercise, students physically arrange themselves into three groups — "Yes," "No," or "Undecided" — in response to a given prompt, then engage in thoughtful dialogue with classmates. 

“The activity is meant to encourage students to discuss different topics with an open mind,” ELA Teacher Kelsey Garner shared. “It allows them to move and change their position throughout the conversation as new evidence is presented.”

The practice also reflects ASPIRE Academy’s focus on inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning.

For sixth grader Arthur Perry, this specific discussion had him looking to his peers to help shape his opinion. “I started in the middle because I didn’t know what I thought,” Perry said of his thoughts about year-round calendars. “Then I moved to ‘No’ for a bit, and I was thinking about going to ‘Yes.’”

But exchanges between sides couldn’t rely on opinions alone. Students were required to back up their ideas with information from the texts they had read and practiced using academic language to communicate their ideas clearly and respectfully. “The goal is for students to have conversations about topics they may disagree on in a respectful way that fosters conversation and collaboration,” Garner said. 

For student Gina Schrek, the deliberation was a little more clear-cut. “I was always on the ‘Yes’ side because the ‘No’ side didn’t have any evidence that traditional school schedules were better,” she said.

Garner said that’s exactly the kind of analytical thinking the activity is designed to promote. “They have to analyze two sides of an argument and gather evidence,” she explained. “I ask them to defend the side that they have the most evidence for, not necessarily just the one they feel the most strongly about.”

Garner incorporates the Philosophical Chairs process throughout the school year and loves watching her students grow in confidence and public speaking. “It makes me very proud and hopeful about our future,” she said. “Being able to express differences of opinion in a respectful way is a great skill.”

Explore ASPIRE Academy at Connolly Middle School at the Open House on December 4 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

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This opportunity reflects Tempe Elementary’s commitment to strengthening specialized programs and/or school options, as outlined in Goal 3.3 of the Strategic Plan.

About ASPIRE at Connolly Middle School
ASPIRE Academy at Connolly Middle School is designed for academically gifted students in sixth through eighth grade who require additional intellectual and creative challenges to reach their full potential. ASPIRE meets the unique social and emotional needs of gifted middle school students by providing the safe and supportive environment necessary for the growth of students with high potential. Learn more about ASPIRE Academy at Connolly Middle School.