Issues: Term 1 - UK Year 6 / US Grade 5
Children know what it feels like to miss the bus, lose a toy, or worry about what someone said at school. But many of them also sense that the world is moved by larger, stranger forces that also affect their lives.
Issues: Term 1 is a 12-unit polymath course for children aged 9-13 who are ready to explore the systems behind modern life: geopolitics, language, trade, authority, technology, and society as well as more personal themes like health, happiness, and identity.
Children can think about complex topics. In fact, they should be encouraged to, because they bring something precious to the table: clarity, curiosity, and a kind of starry-eyed integrity that adults sometimes lose. At Jool, we think that integrity shouldn’t be dismissed. It should be nurtured. It might just be the thing that helps them face (and fix?!) the problems of tomorrow.
Each unit begins with self-reflection and grows outward: through articles, videos, infographics, stories, and debates, learners build a deeper understanding of complex issues and of their own values and voice.
They’ll practise writing with clarity, speaking with confidence, and thinking with both logic and empathy. The goal: to find their voice and their place in this complex world.
What your child will do:
- 🧭 Explore real-world systems and personal questions
- ✍️ Write structured reflections and persuasive texts
- 🎧 Learn through videos, articles, podcasts, and infographics
- 🗣 Practise thoughtful, open-minded debate
- 📚 Build academic vocabulary and critical thinking skills
Includes:
- 12 weeks of writing, critical thinking, debating and research tasks
- Themes covering both global systems and personal questions
- Multimedia sources: articles, videos, podcasts, infographics, and fiction
- Paragraph writing, vocabulary development, and argument-building
- A focus on open-mindedness, original thought, and thoughtful discussion
Ideal For:
Students aged 9–12 | Homeschoolers | Gifted & Talented programs | Kids who want to know about the world inside and out
