1. Humanism – an alternative moral code?
Aim: To understand the key principles of humanism (L4).
Goal: To consider the strengths and weaknesses of humanism as a moral code (L5/6).
Silent starter: Write down a belief of Dawkins from last lesson, add your opinion with reasons.
Effective participator

2. What do you think humanists believe?
Pupils create a spider diagram based on what they know from the first lesson and the pictures.

3. Paired task In your pairs you will be given an image.
Discuss and record:
What is the ‘message’ of your picture?
Is the statement anti-religious?
What do you think about the message?

4. Class feedback

5. Class feedback

6. Class feedback

7. Class feedback

8. Creativity time...
Using your knowledge of humanism you are now going to create a new symbol/ adapt the existing one that represents their beliefs. Imagine that it is your only way of communicating the humanism message to people who do not know their beliefs.
Give pupils a template of the symbol

9. Key humanist beliefs...
Group work Using the information slides complete a knowledge hunt about Humanism. Avoid copying the information, but try and add examples to the beliefs expressed. You will all be recording the information so may find it useful to give sub headings. Group feedback.
Give pupils 10 minutes to record the information on a piece of A3 ready to feedback to the class. During feedback pupils can record the information as a spider diagram in their books.

10. Quiz What is the humanist Golden rule?
Do humanists believe in a God – yes or no? Bonus point if you can tell me why.
What should we use to make moral decisions?
Do humanists believe in a life after death? Bonus point if you can tell me how this will affect how they will live this life.
According to a humanist why should we be kind to others?
Humanists believe it is wrong to harm 2 things – what are they?
Complete the quote “Wear a smile and have friends, wear a frown and have _____”
What does empathy mean?

11. Answers Treat others as you wish to be treated
No because there is no proof for God.
We should use our own mind (reason) to make decisions.
No – they will make the most of the one life they have
Any of the following – empathy, we will have better relationships, we will be happier, it’s the golden rule.
Other people and the environment
Complete the quote “Wear a smile and have friends, wear a frown and have wrinkles”
Empathy means to put yourself in someone's situation/to know what it might feel like for them

12. ‘Humanists are anti religious’ Do you agree
‘Humanists are anti religious’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer showing you have thought about more than one view.
Write a response to the statement including the views of:
A Christian
A Muslim
A humanist
Your opinion

13. Have you completed your plenary in coloured pen?
Don’t forget?!
Have you completed
your plenary in
coloured pen?

14. Plenary Our class humanist
Pupils record what they like or have learnt about humanism – in an A3 version – which can be displayed on the class wall. This can be done as a whole class or in groups of 5.