Lesson video

Hi, my name's Mrs. Charalambous, and welcome to today's learning.

Our lesson today is "Humanist Reflection" from the unit, "Prayer: Is it Possible to Speak to God?" Let's get started.

By the end of the lesson today, you'll be able to explain how non-religious people use reflection and meditation.

Let's look at our keywords with "my turn, your turn." Meditation.

Meditation.

Taking time to be quiet, still, and thoughtful.

Reflection.

Reflection.

Taking time out to think deeply and carefully about something important.

Mindfulness.

Mindfulness.

A routine that helps people be calm and reflect.

Here's the lesson outline for today: "Humanist Reflection." Let's start with, does everyone pray? Sam and Andy are talking about religious education.

Sam says, "Why are we always learning about what people do in religious education lessons?" Andeep says, "Finding out about what people do can help us learn about their beliefs and ideas about God." In this lesson, we'll be finding out about reflection and meditation.

Sam says, "I've been learning about prayer.

I found out it's a way people speak and communicate with God.

But what about people who don't believe in God? Do they still pray?" Andeep says, "I think people might not pray, but they still might take time to think and be calm." Do you think everyone prays? What else might they do? Some people don't believe in God, so they don't pray.

But they might still enjoy peaceful, quiet time to think.

This is called reflection: taking time out to think deeply and carefully about something important.

Have you ever sat quietly and thought about something important? Reflection can help people understand their feelings or ideas.

People might reflect while going for a walk, listening to calming music, sitting in a calm space, or in a group.

What might help you feel calm and ready to reflect? Let's check our understanding with this multiple-choice question: What does reflection mean? A, talking out loud in a busy place.

B, playing a game with friends.

Or C, taking a quiet time to think deeply and carefully.

That's right.

It's C, taking a quiet time to think deeply and carefully.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Sam says, "Some people take time to reflect instead of praying.

Others might use mindfulness or meditation to feel calm and peaceful." Andeep says, "These calming activities help people feel peaceful and focused.

Anyone can do mindfulness or meditation.

You don't have to believe in God." Some people breathe in and out whilst tracing the outline of their fingers, like this.

This helps them to slow their breathing and be ready for a mindful moment.

Let's try a mindful moment using our hands like I just demonstrated.

Hold out one hand like a high five.

Use your fingers from the other hand to slowly trace your fingers as you breathe.

Start at your thumb.

Breathe in as you slowly trace up your thumb.

Breathe out as you trace down the other side.

Now your first finger.

Breathe in as you go up and breathe out as you go down.

Keep going slowly, tracing up and down each finger.

Take your time.

Feel your body becoming calm and still.

Notice how it feels to breathe slowly, just tracing, breathing, and being calm.

This is called mindfulness.

Anyone can do it at any time, anywhere.

How do you feel now? Let's check our understanding with a true or false: Only people who believe in God can practise mindfulness.

True or false? That's right.

It's false.

Why? Anyone can practise meditation and mindfulness, even those who do not believe in God.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Humanism is a non-religious worldview.

Humanists don't believe in God.

Humanists may use reflection and mindfulness in their daily lives.

Sam says, "I'm curious to know how humanists might use reflection and mindfulness.

Let's meet Diane and Alan, who are humanists." Diane says, "I don't pray, but I do take time to think about my day or how I can help others." Alan says, "Sometimes, myself and my wife, Diane, go for walks and find somewhere quiet in nature to reflect.

I also enjoy listening to calming music before bed." Let's check our understanding: What are some things humanists might do to help them think and feel peaceful? A, have a race.

B, go for a quiet walk.

Or C, focus on their breathing.

That's right.

It's B, go for a quiet walk, and C, focus on their breathing.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Task A: Draw a line to match the picture with the phrases.

They are all connected with reflecting.

So you've got: listening to calming music, sitting in a calm space, going for a walk, in a group.

Pause the video here, and when you're ready for some feedback, press play.

Task A, feedback time: Draw a line to match the picture with the phrase.

They are all connected with reflecting.

You should have connected listening to music with the boy with the headphones.

Sitting in a calm space, lady with a cup of tea, looking out the window.

Going for a walk, the young person there walking along the pathway.

And finally, in a group, the picture of children together.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Cycle two: When do people reflect or meditate? Sam and Andy wonder about humanists.

Sam says, "I think humanists might take time to reflect after something important has happened or at a special event.

I think they also take time to think about how they feel." Andeep says, "I think humanists take time to reflect when remembering someone special or when trying to make a kind or fair choice." Andeep says, "Diane and Alan, can you tell me a time you took time out to reflect?" Diane and Alan say, "When we found out we were having a baby, we wanted to do something special, as this was a big moment for us.

We don't follow a religion, so we took time to reflect on what felt right for us.

We wanted a day to share love and kindness with family and friends.

Having time out to reflect meant we were able to consider a humanist naming ceremony." Andeep says, "Did you take time to reflect at the naming ceremony?" Diane and Alan share with him, "At our baby's naming day, everyone took a quiet moment to reflect.

We thought about the kind of life we hoped our child would have.

I reflected on how I wanted to be a kind, patient parent and how grateful I felt that day." Alan says, "I remember looking around at our friends and family.

I reflected on how lucky we are to have so much love around us.

I hoped our child would grow up in a world filled with kindness." Let's take a moment here to check our understanding with this true or false: Diane and Alan chose a naming ceremony because someone told them to.

True or false? That's right.

It's false.

Why? Because Diane and Alan are humanists, so they decided to take time to reflect and decide what felt right for them.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Andeep says, "Hi, Nell.

How do you use reflection each day?" Nell says, "I use reflection to feel calm.

First, I like to focus on my breathing to slow it down.

Then I might do some quiet colouring, taking time out to reflect about things that are important to me.

I don't pray, but I still stop and think about my day." Sam says, "Nell, are there special times when you reflect?" Nell shares, "When I'm feeling sad or miss my granddad, I sit quietly remembering and reflecting on our time together.

It helps me feel close to him and thankful for the time we had together." When do people reflect? People might reflect when they feel worried or upset.

Sitting quietly helps their mind feel calm.

People might reflect if they have a big decision.

Taking time to think quietly helps them choose carefully.

People might reflect on what has happened in their day whilst they're enjoying a peaceful moment.

Let's take a moment here to check our understanding with this multiple-choice question: Why does Nell take time to reflect? A, to feel calm and think about important things.

B, to start believing in God.

C, her mum told her to.

That's right.

It's A, to feel calm and think about important things.

Well done.

Let's carry on.

Task B: Using the case studies from this lesson, explain why some people reflect.

You can use these sentence starters to help you complete your answer: "Some people reflect when.

." "Reflecting can help someone feel.

." "Humanists reflect when.

." Pause the video here, and when you are ready, press play for some feedback.

Task B: Using the case studies from this lesson, explain why some people reflect.

You may have written: Some people reflect when they feel worried or upset.

It helps them through tough times.

Reflecting can help someone feel calm and peaceful or enjoy a quiet moment.

Humanists reflect when they want to take time out to remember someone or when something important happens.

They also reflect to help make good choices.

Well done for your learning today.

Let's take a look at the summary together.

Here's our summary for "Humanist Reflection:" Some people find quiet moments helpful, but do not pray.

People who are not religious may value reflection and meditation.

Reflection and meditation may take different forms, such as mindfulness or a time of silence with some music.

Humanists believe in treating others kindly and thinking carefully about life.

They do not believe in God.

Humanists have special ceremonies, like a naming ceremony, where people come together, share thoughts, and often reflect.

Well done for your learning today, and I hope to see you soon.

Bye for now!.