Are We Only Material?

After viewing the Are We Only Material? Lesson Video, students will use critical thinking and communications skills to reflect upon and discuss questions related to our materiality. If we are completely material atoms and nothing more, what does that mean about our lives, our connections to other things, living and non-living? What does it mean about our mortality? If we are not completely material, what is that nonmaterial thing inside of us? They will then use the argumentation framework to organize their thoughts and write a short essay supporting their views about one of the questions.

SUBJECTS English Language Arts, Science

GRADES 8–12

TIME REQUIRED Approximately 2 class periods (100 minutes)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will use critical thinking and communications skills to reflect upon and discuss questions related to our materiality.
Students will use the argumentation framework to write a short essay to support their views about one of the questions.

MATERIALS

Pencil or Pen
Lined paper or Notebook

ESTABLISHING GROUP NORMS
FOR DISCUSSION STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

FIND MORE VIDEO CONTENT:

Program Episodes • Trailers & Promos • Lesson Plan Videos • Video Shorts

LESSON IMPLEMENTATION MATERIALS

Because these Lessons follow a unique format, it is important to review the TEACHER GUIDE before implementing the activity.

Begin the lesson by viewing the 7-¼ min Are We Only Material? LESSON VIDEO above from the SEARCHING series as a class. Note: If your class has recently implemented a SEARCHING Lesson, you can skip the video introduction and begin the video at minute 03:45.
Download and print the LESSON INTRODUCTION. Students (and teachers) should read this before starting the activity.
Download and print the STUDENT WORKSHEETS. (PDF) (DOC)

Download TEACHER GUIDE (PDF)

Download LESSON INTRODUCTION (PDF)

Download STUDENT WORKSHEETS (PDF) (DOC)