New
New
Year 5

Humanism: a natural origin and a precious planet

I can explain how humanists describe the origins of the world and why they try to care for it.

New
New
Year 5

Humanism: a natural origin and a precious planet

I can explain how humanists describe the origins of the world and why they try to care for it.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Humanists believe that humans are part of nature and not separate from it.
  2. Humanists believe that our actions can have an impact on animals and the planet.
  3. Some humanists use their reason and empathy and choose to be vegetarian as a result of their ethics.

Keywords

  • Evidence - proof supporting a claim

  • Reason - use of logic and facts to make sense of the world

  • Empathy - understanding and sharing the feelings, thoughts and experiences of another person

  • Connection - the responsibility and care a person might feel towards something or someone

Common misconception

The word humanism means that humanists are only interested in other humans.

Humanism is a worldview that see humans as part of the natural world. Humanists are concerned with all life on earth.


To help you plan your year 5 religious education lesson on: Humanism: a natural origin and a precious planet, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

There are some fabulous books for primary children that tell the story of evolution and the big bang. You might want to consider reading those to the class. You may want to split this lesson into two and focus first on the origins and look at the second part as a separate lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Why do humanists believe there is only one life?

because they dislike religion
because they want to be different
Correct answer: because they find no evidence for life after death

Q2.
Humanists believe we should find and meaning in life.

Correct Answer: happiness, Happiness

Q3.
What is the symbol used by humanists?

a star
Correct answer: the happy human
a rainbow

Q4.
Why do humanists try to be positive?

Correct answer: because they believe it leads to a good life
to get rewards
to look better

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to its meaning:

Correct Answer:connection,the responsibility and care a person might feel towards something

the responsibility and care a person might feel towards something

Correct Answer:reason,use of logic and facts to make sense of the world

use of logic and facts to make sense of the world

Correct Answer:empathy,understanding the feelings, thoughts and experiences of another person

understanding the feelings, thoughts and experiences of another person

Q2.
How might humanists try to help the planet?

Correct answer: by thinking about their impact
by only helping other humans
by doing whatever they want

Q3.
Some humanists become because they care about animals and want to reduce harm.

Correct Answer: vegetarians, Vegetarians

Q4.
Humanists believe that humans are part of , not separate from it.

Correct Answer: nature, Nature