KHEC Curriculum Framework 1.2
The Center For Inquiry Secular Parenting Meetup. This is a "meetup" for "parents who are raising their children without religion, who love reason and who are looking for a community where they can find fun, support and great company for themselves and their children." They have just started, but these are coming soon: a Rational Sunday School, a Teen and Tweens group, and a conversation group for secular parents.
Dare to Know: "Isms" Linking Humanism and Unitarian Universalism for High School Youth. This resource highlights a range of Western philosophies and humanists/ freethinkers. Develop by Jeff Liebmann, Student Minister, First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. Descriptions and ordering information are available at their website.
The Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, an affiliate of the American Humanist Association. The Long Island society has developed educational programs for 5th and 6th graders. Its primary goals are to develop feelings of empowerment, increase understanding of different cultural and religious views and enhance the students' abilities to self-reflect. The Curriculum units include Comparative Religion, Teaching Tolerance, Earth Stewardship, Good Decision Making, and Prejudice and Stereotypes. For 7th and 8th graders, the goals include understanding the importance of making ethical choices and internalization of one's ethical identity. The following units are included in a two year cycle: Ethical dilemmas from the students' lives, Identification of Ethical Heroes, Prejudice and Stereotypes, Components of a peaceful society, Cooperation v. Competitiveness, Civil Rights and Responsibilities, Peer Pressure, and Societal and Media Attitudes on Social Issues. In the final year of the program, students are mentored by adult members of the Society, meet with the Leader of the Ethical Society, engage in a community service project, and participate in a Coming of Age Program.
Where Can I Find Humanist Books and Films for Children and Teens?
by Fred Edwords, American Humanist Association, Director of Communications
Source: www.americanhumanist.org/humanism/booksfilms.php
Mainstream Publishers
In the world of mainstream American culture and the large corporate publishing houses that serve it, there is no shortage of reading material suitable for humanist children and teens. One only has to look, since the entire field is largely secular. However, as with anything else, it is best to exercise reasonable care.
The key is to be open for titles that present values with which humanists can agree. Fortunately, the best of today's mass market books for children and teens are all quite humanistic and almost never bring religious ideas into the picture. Therefore, if the American Library Association recommends it, then one can feel confident that the book is likely to be suitable for humanists. The next step is to read a few online reviews of a potential book in order to get a better idea. Such reviews can readily be found at http://www.amazon.com and other online book services.
Another help is to simply be aware of well-known humanist or humanistic fiction creators. These are writers who have either avowed their humanism or have been identified as humanistic by a number of humanist readers--whether or not they wrote clearly identifiable humanist books. Here is a short list: Louisa May Alcott, Isaac Asimov, L. Frank Baum, Ambrose Bierce, Stephen Crane, Charles Dickens, Alexander Dumas, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Robert Heinlein, Aldous Huxley, Washington Irving, Jack London, H.P. Lovecraft, Herman Melville, James A. Michener, A.A. Milne, George Orwell, Edgar Allen Poe, Beatrix Potter, Philip Pullman, Gene Roddenberry, Dr. Seuss, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut and H. G. Wells.
What is true for books is also true for many of the most critically acclaimed movies available on video. For children and preteens there is Disney's live-action Huckleberry Finn and cartoon features Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, and Toy Story 2. More recently there is the overtly humanist cartoon film from Warner Brothers, Happy Feet. For teens there are Contact and Pleasantville, particularly recommended because the values offered in both are completely humanist. On television, Sesame Street is a highly-rated humanistic program for preschoolers and Star Trek, both in television reruns and as films, has always had a large teen following and always been strongly humanist.
Ironically, one good place to look for general book and film titles is through the religious right. By finding out what books and films have been negatively reviewed in evangelical Christian publications and websites, particularly those titles condemned as "secular humanist," one can often be led to excellent choices for humanist kids. (For example, Phyllis Schlafly once criticized The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss because of its not-so-subtle critique of the Cold War arms race. And, indeed, the book provides an excellent parable against the nuclear war doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction. Moreover, most of the books that Dr. Seuss wrote later in his career are particularly suitable for humanist children. They cover issues like pollution, racism, and many other social concerns. The Lorax, for example, is an environmentalist title.)
Humanist Publishers and Sellers
To get more specialized or specific humanist youth materials, one may turn to the following organizations and businesses.
AHA Bookstore. The official online bookstore of the American Humanist Association (AHA) is called EvolveFish.com. It may be the only stop you need to make in your search for humanist materials for kids. They purchase from a wide range of publishers and therefore one can benefit from what the proprietors have already discovered in their book searches. The items for kids can be found at http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/kidsbooks.html.
Albert Ellis Institute. This organization in New York City was founded by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, the 1971 Humanist of the Year of the American Humanist Association and an outspoken nontheistic rational thinker. In carrying out its mission to promote psychological health in children and adults, the Albert Ellis Institute publishes various books for children and teens, including one called Rational Stories for Children and some others about how to overcome anger and other destructive emotions. For the relevant portion of the online book catalog, go to -- http://albertellis.org/products.php?cat=12&pg=1.
American Ethical Union. The American Ethical Union in New York City once published a book on teaching ethics to children. Perhaps it's still available though, since then, mainstream publishers have released other credible books for children and teens on basic human values. Associated with the AEU in New York City is the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. This private institution covers elementary through high school. So it should be worthwhile to inquire about their curriculum. The school's website is at -- http://www.ecfs.org/ and the bookstore is at -- http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/ecfs.htm, but it may take some effort to determine which books belong to what parts of the curriculum.
Prometheus Books. If you're looking for books that specifically advance atheism or secular humanist ethics, Prometheus Books publishes a number of titles on these subjects specifically for kids. These tend to be nonfiction about being skeptical about God, religion, and paranormal claims. A review of their book catalog will speak for itself. It can be found at -- http://www.prometheusbooks.com/. Click on the "Quick Search" option and select "Young Readers," the last item on the list.
Unitarian Universalist Association. Skinner House and Beacon Press publish books for the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Unitarian Universalists are notoriously tolerant and interested in teaching non-dogmatic values to their kids. Roughly half the members of this liberal religious denomination identify as humanists. So a look at the UUA bookstore catalog will undoubtedly reveal a number of useful titles. Go to -- https://secure.uua.org/bookstore/.
Other Outlets. Another place to look is among the special titles sold by environmentalist and peace organizations. Many single-issue groups with which humanists agree have developed young people's titles that advance specific ideals. (The EarthWorks Group publishes 50 Simple Things Children Can Do to Save the Earth. One bibliography of environmental books for young people is at -- http://members.aol.com/Ramola15/books.html.)
Bible Stories for Humanists?
Many might wonder if stories from the Bible could possibly have any value for humanist children. The answer is yes, and for two reasons.
First, if Bible stories are read in the same way that one might read ancient Greek myths or the mythologies of other cultures, it's possible to understand them for what they are: Hebrew and Christian myth and legend. And then they can be appreciated and enjoyed without being believed.
Second, Bible stories in particular are part of Western culture. A person can't be considered culturally literate without knowing them as well as one might know Aesop's Fables. Just think of all the familiar English metaphors and references that come from the Bible: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Sampson and Delilah, reading the handwriting on the wall, Daniel in the lion's den, David and Goliath, "Let my people go," the golden calf, the Ten Commandments, the battle of Jericho, "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone," the good Samaritan, the widow's mite, original sin, "I wash my hands of it," the antichrist, and so on. Such references come up often enough in conversation, written materials, film, and elsewhere that children who are reared without any knowledge of the Bible will find they don't understand many things people are talking about.
So, if one goes to a Christian book store (or ordinary children's book section of a secular store) and picks out something innocuous that tells Bible stories, this should do much of the job of educating children in the traditional Sunday school curriculum. And an excellent way to introduce humanist kids the Moses story is to rent or buy the Dreamworks video Prince of Egypt, which treats the material as a story rather than as religious doctrine.
There's nothing to worry about in all this. No humanist child has been known to have "gotten religion" just from reading a children's book or viewing a video that tells Bible stories. Still, it always helps if a parent discusses any material with a child. And, as noted above, it puts the stories in perspective if the child can be given this material together with books and videos on Greek mythology and the mythology of other cultures. The larger context is always of great benefit.
Compiling Your List
Once one starts looking broadly for humanist books and videos for children and teens, the problem won't be how to draw up a list but how to prune it down to manageable size. Still, the effort to locate humanistic books for young people is a wonderful research project for someone. A comprehensive list needs to be compiled of the material that's already available so the American Humanist Association can share it with everyone. So let us know if you'd like to contribute to this effort or share your own list with us.
Fred Edwords, a father of two, is the director of communications for the American Humanist Association and past president of Camp Quest, the summer camp for freethinking children and teens. (Go to -- http://www.camp-quest.org -- for more information.) This article is Copyright © 2007 by the American Humanist Association.
Onions and Atheism: A Children's Book
-- A book review of Onion Breath by Steph and Dan Allosso (Minneapolis, MN: Stay Outside the Box Publishing, 2007) – by Amanda Metskas. For Humanist Network News.org – October 10, 2007. Source: humaniststudies.org/enews/?id=318&article=2Amanda K. Metskas is the executive director of Camp Quest (http://www.camp-quest.org).
Are you concerned that spiders may crawl into your mouth while you are sleeping?
I read this book to the campers at the Mini Camp Quest session at the Atheist Alliance International Conference, and they were quite entertained by the kooky story and striking illustrations. As for whether the book will help normalize atheism, only time will tell.
One way I think it will help is that kids from non-religious families can add a story about an atheist family to their bookshelves. Whether it helps normalize atheism in broader society will depend on it being carried by libraries and bookstores, and being read by families who do not identify as atheists.
Some freethinking readers have critiqued the book for presenting a myth to explain why kids should try new things. The Allosso’s respond to this critique on their blog, arguing that kids understand that this is a fictional story that takes place in a "make-believe world," just like many other children's stories.
For the most part, I agree with their response, but I have to admit that a little part of me wishes that the boys’ were more skeptical of their nanny Shmirna’s claims. Eugene asks on page 12, “Why should we believe she’s telling the truth? I wonder if mom will let us hire a sleuth?,” but the boys quickly proceed to accept Shmirna’s story, and when they wake the next day spider-free they conclude that she was right, despite having seen no spiders in the morning in their pre-onion days.
On the other hand, there are only so many lessons that one can teach in a single children’s book, and the authors were probably right not to burden the story with chapter and verse on the rules of evidence.
The story is a fable about trying new things, a topic to which a lot of kids and parents can relate. It seeks to normalize atheism, and it also challenges gender stereotyping; when Roy and Eugene ask Shmirna to teach their future wives to cook, she replies that she will teach the boys now instead.
Perhaps the Allossos’ next children’s book can explore skepticism in the same whimsical way they cover these themes in Onion Breath. In the meantime, parents can use this book as a jumping off point for a discussion about evidence by asking their kids if they are convinced by Shmirna’s story, and what it would take to get them to believe her.
I highly recommend this book to parents, regardless of their worldview, who are looking for a fun story to read with their kids. It is probably best suited for kids ages five to ten. For more information about the book visit http://www.onionbreath.net
The Rosie Stories for Humanist Children – by Tricia Budd. Three books to be read by or to children giving a Humanist perspective on three important occasions in our lives. (1) James and Rosie's Big Day: A baby naming. "Personal names are part of what makes us each an individual .…The name we are given will always be associated with who we are, what we look like, what we do ….." (2) Rosie Remembers: A funeral. "…….dying is a natural end to our lives, yet it is still very hard to prepare our hearts for the death of someone we love.… the gap they leave in our lives cannot be filled by anyone else." (3) Rosie on Camera: A wedding. "I had no idea what a Humanist wedding was all about …. It was a really happy and relaxed ceremony that I think everyone felt part of." A book of worksheets, lesson ideas based on the stories, and a set of teachers’ notes also available. For order forms, contact -- Oakes Bank Publishing, 182 Mow Cop Road, Mow Cop, Staffs. ST7 4NH. For additional information, contact the author at -- triciabudd@oakesbankpublishing.co.uk
Seven Children's Books cited in evolvefish.com/fish/kidsbooks.html. Visit that cite for ordering information.
Branton's Blossoms: Some Thoughts about nature and God for older kids nine to ninety. A man living in the countryside sees beauty, conflict and tragedy surrounding him, and he is moved to think about how all of this comes about. After experiencing a great loss, he makes an important decision about the existence of a creator, and then moves on with his appreciation of life. 80 pages.
The Magic Detectives. By Joe Nickell. Educational studies indicate a critical lack of scientific awareness in children and young adults. Is it because science is no longer perceived as challenging, interesting, or just plain fun? Looking for scientific facts can be as enjoyable as "playing detective" in this book for young readers. Ages 9-12. 115 pages.
There is a Purple Dragon in my Washing Machine by Raul Martinez. When a sock is missing in the washer, a little boy asks his dad where the sock went. His dad then explains how some people believe a Purple Dragon is responsible for eating the sock. It's a very light-hearted approach to the arbitrary nature of belief and the advantages of rational thought. Features color illustrations and both Spanish and English versions of the story on each page. For young readers, but adults will enjoy reading and sharing the story with children too. For ages 4 and up. 24 pages.
The Philosophers' Club by Christopher Phillips. "As a teacher, I don't see how anyone would do anything but use the Socratic method." - David Ross, Long Beach Press-Telegram. Ages 8 and up. 44 pages.
Just Pretend: A Freethought Book For Children by Dan Barker. A fun book which allows children of all ages to explore myths like Santa Claus and compare them with ideas like the existence of God. Entertaining and respectful of children's intelligence, Just Pretend encourages kids to apply the tests of reason to any idea, fairy tale, myth or religion. 72 pages.
The Winter Solstice: A Book for Children by Ellen Jackson. Presents facts and folklore about the shortest day of the year, a day that has been filled with magic since ancient times. 32 pages.
Humanism for Kids by the Family of Humanists. This is an illustrated booklet developed to teach and discuss Humanism for young readers. It is the result of efforts by several adults, youth, and children, growing with each new contribution. Topics range from descriptions of Humanism, science and evolution to how to live a good humanist life. Sections include the Golden Rule and the Scientific Method. For additional information:
www.familyofhumanists.org/hfk.html