Helen Bennett's book for "BUILDING YOUR OWN CURRICULUM WITH BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH"

Lesson plan ideas for -- Humanism, What's That? A Book for Curious Kids by Helen Bennett (2005). Prometheus Books, 59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, New York 14228-2197. ($13.98) Paperback edition only.

ISBN # -- 978-1-59102-387-6

A brief review of the book (An earlier version of this review was published in the July/August 2006 newsletter of the Humanist Community of Central Ohio.) -- Bob Bhaerman

Not very long ago I had a conversation with my then nearly 8-year old grandson. It went like this. "Grandpa Bob, I have a real good friend." "That's wonderful," I answered, "Who is it?" "Jesus is my best friend." After a moment of dumbstruck silence, I asked, "How can anyone who may -- or may not - have lived over 2,000 years ago be your best friend?" Of course, there was no answer. Except my daughter-in-law said, "Oh, that's all right. He must have been taught that several years ago when we had him in pre-kindergarten at St. Pius." I also was told by several adults at the table to drop the subject and not give another one of my lecturers on humanism.

My grandson is a pretty sharp kid. And although the cover of Humanism, What's That? A Book for Curious Kids indicates that the book is intended for "Ages 10 and up," I'm not waiting two years until he comes of age. I'm buying it for him soon. We'll read it and discuss it together. That's about all I can do for someone who shares my last name and, hopefully, has inherited some of my skepticism.

I wish I had enough cash on hand to buy Helen Bennett's book for every child 10 and above -- or even younger. In the May 25, 2005 issue of the Humanist Network News, the author said that she wrote it "because I wanted to help Humanist children understand and be able to defend their worldview and to show children who have been raised in traditional religions that there is another way of thinking, another means to derive ethics, spiritual enrichment and a guide to life."

The book is in the form of a conversation between Mrs. Green, a science teacher, and her students (the grade level of the young students is not specified). When a fellow student is seriously injured on her way to school, the students wondered why they aren't allowed to pray for her in class. So starting with the concept of the separation of church and state, the dialogue leads to many philosophic and cultural issues and many questions. Why do some people believe in God while others do not? What gives life meaning? In the classroom and after-school discussions (with parental approval), Mrs. Green offers a humanist perspective and emphasizes scientific explanations of life and freedom of thought. Other topics as well as the separation of church and state are discussed, for example, the origins of religious belief in God, the meaning of metaphor, myth and symbols. The book also touches on such subjects as abortion and the death penalty and young readers can begin to understand the nuances of these controversial issues. The book also focuses on the affirmations of humanism by emphasizing the essential worth and dignity of all people and some of the important humanist philosophers who have helped advance the causes of reason, compassion, and skepticism. There also is a brief explanation of the differences between humanistic values and religious values and this key idea: "Only by knowing the difference between good and evil can we make intelligent choices" (page 46). The narrative section ends (on page 60) with this thought-provoking question which is appropriate for students of all ages: "Are you a humanist?"

A number of poems also are included (e.g., "Thank You, Life" and "What Humanism Means to Me") as well as a very meaningful "Humanist Creed" and moving "Humanist Hymn." I wish we had a Mrs. Green in every public school classroom. I'd even settle for a copy of Helen Bennett's book in each classroom and school library.

Objectives. Helen Bennett said it best when she wrote, as noted above,

"... I wanted to help Humanist children understand and be able to defend their worldview and to show children who have been raised in traditional religions that there is another way of thinking, another means to derive ethics, spiritual enrichment and a guide to life." What a great way to state the objectives of lessons based on her book!

Suggested procedures. The procedures are quite simple - and obvious. Teachers

-- and parents - should read the book together. One variation might be for the adult to read Mrs. Green's part and the children read the student's part as in a play. The most important part is to conduct as many of the activities as you wish (they all are excellent) and consider all of the important discussion questions.

Activities and discussion questions. In the section called "Activities and Discussion Questions" (pages 71 to 76), Helen Bennett provides ten activities which students can pursue, many of which deal with writing, e.g., stories about humanist heroes and heroines, poems, songs, essays, letters to local newspapers and elected officials at all levels of the government, and letters to pen pals. Also, draw a picture of a "Happy Humanist" and under the picture explain why he or she is happy. [Note. The web site of the Kochhar Humanist Education Center - www.americanhumanist.org/khec -- includes "Curriculum Resources for the Life Span" which has lists of humanist heroes and heroines which might be used a jumping off point.]

In addition, Bennett provides 20 discussion questions which students can explore in depth. Some examples are as follows:

Humanism is a positive philosophy that asserts the potential for goodness in every human being. How does this contrast with the religious doctrine of "original sin"? ("Original sin" means we are all born bad.)
Why are good manners important to humanists? Why should you obey school rules?
What would you do if you saw someone bullying another student?

Here are some additional discussion questions** which might be appropriate with older youth:

How would you behave if your team won a championship? Would you thank God? Why or why not?
How would you react if you lost a game or failed a test? Whose fault would it be?
How can we oppose fanaticism, while still valuing the inborn worth and dignity of the fanatic?
Since you are tolerant of all beliefs, what would you do if people were treated unjustly in the name of their religion?
How can we in America come to cherish diversity (differences among people) and overcome prejudice, hatred, and violence?
Humanism is opposed to violence. Which video games promote violence? Do you think you should play such games?
What can you personally do to help people, animals, and the environment?

By all means, acquire this book for your students - and children -- and use all of the discussion items.

Related resources. The author includes a "Selected Bibliography for Older Teens and Adults" with books by Steve Allen, Robert Ingersoll, Corliss Lamont, Bertrand Russell, and Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan.

Feedback. Please let us know how this went... and please suggest any additional ideas for teaching the concepts in Helen Bennett's book. I would be most grateful if you would send them to me at - rbhaerman@americanhumanist.org. Many thanks in advance.

Bob Bhaerman, Coordinator, Kochhar Humanist Education Center,

American Humanist Association