Personal epistemology in the classroom: a welcome and guide for the reader

Introduction Knowledge? One doesn't need to learn it – one simply knows it. One knows that a tire is round because one can see it. Knowledge sometimes can be heard too (Amy, age 10) Actually, one cannot know anything for sure. This is because it has been invented by someone. New inventions can make old ones illogical or false. But one can discuss with other people what they think about it. The numbers and objects have been invented. What does 1 and 1 equal? So one needed to think out what this will be. Then one discussed it at length and decided that it should be named “2.” (Hannah, age 9) Knowledge is what you know and what you can look up. (Josh, age 12) I know that knowledge about the woodlands is true by doing experiments that are in my science book and seeing if they come true. Another way to know what is true is you could go with your family during vacations to the woodlands. I am looking at the animals, the plants, their habitat, and watching how they react. By watching what they do you can know if your science book is telling the truth or not. Then I come back and tell it to the teacher. I do this so she can tell it to the class or other classes. I ask her so I can talk about my experiences to the class. (Evan, age 10)