Topic:
Humanism
Learning Outcomes
- To recognise that Humanists ask the same questions as other groups.
- To explore how we can all come up with different answers to the same questions.
- To reflect on how we can find answers to our questions.
Introduction
Teacher explains ‘what we’re going to learn today’ Senior Infant children may need all or only some of the following information.
Humanists ask questions about the world around them and come up with answers by themselves and not from a god or gods.
Atheists are also a group that does not believe in a god or gods. Sometimes atheists call themselves Humanists and sometimes they don’t and sometimes Humanists call themselves atheist and sometimes they don’t.
Write on board “What is the best colour and why, do you think this?” Children think-pair-share and then share with class.
Teacher asks: Did everyone come up with the same answer? Why not? Is that okay?
Development
Story: Teacher reads the story ‘The First Snow’.
Think-pair-share: The teacher leads a discussion on how the children in the story all had different ideas about where the snow came from.
Questions could include: ● What did you learn from the story ‘The First Snow’? ● What questions did the characters ask? ● Did everyone come up with the same answer? ● Why do you think they didn’t? ● Who do you think had the correct answer? Why?
Plenary
Conclusion Reflection: Think-pair-share ● What do you think when you hear answers that you don’t agree with or that are very different to your own? ● What’s the best thing to do? Teacher reminds children that Humanists believe people should ask questions and find out the answers for themselves. Teacher concludes the discussion by asking the children what they have learned about Humanism today
This lesson plan was taken and adapted from the Educate Together lesson plans for 1st/2nd class on humanism-Lesson 1-You will find the story “the first snow” here alongside many other excellent lessons that can be adapted for Infants.
https://www.educatetogether.ie/humanism-lessons