*Updated* What makes us human?
Interpreting and using art to express beliefs about spirituality, inner self and the soul.
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*Updated* What makes us human?
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Share their personal worldview.
- Explain how and why their worldview might change.
- Identify the difference between personal and organised worldviews.
- Ask and answer open-ended questions.
- Explain what is meant by a soul and express their ideas about what a soul means to them personally.
- Understand that some people believe that humans have a soul.
- Summarise the similarities and differences between what people believe about the soul.
- Express their ideas clearly and compare their own beliefs with others.
- Explain, through talking and writing, how colour and images have been used in a piece of artwork to express a particular idea about the soul or inner self.
- State benefits and challenges relating to Buddhist meditation.
- Give examples of Buddhist meditation practices.
- Explain the reasons and purpose behind meditation.
- Summarise some key ideas about what people with a particular worldview might think about the question ‘What makes us human?’.
Suggested prior learning
Please note
Lessons and resources within this unit have been updated, focusing on pitch, lesson length and key vocabulary. The context, skills and knowledge covered and learning progression of the unit remain the same. The unit now has an additional lesson and the Respectful Religion and worldviews lesson has been moved to sit outside the unit.
Lessons
Lesson 1: What is special about being human?
- To understand what makes being human special by exploring Humanist beliefs.
Lesson 2: What is a soul and do we all have one?
- To consider what makes humans special by exploring beliefs about the soul.
Lesson 3: What do some people think makes us human?
- To describe what some people believe about being human through exploring personal responses.
Lesson 4: What is spirituality?
- To explore the meaning of spirituality to different people.
Lesson 5: What do some Buddhists do to focus on their inner self?
- To explain how and why some Buddhists meditate.
Lesson 6: Does anyone know what makes us human?
- To present own and others’ views to answer the enquiry question, ‘What makes us human?’.
Key skills
Key knowledge
Related content
Unit resources

Knowledge organiser – R&W Y3: What makes us human?
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit 'What makes us human?'

Vocabulary display – R&W Y3: What makes us human?
A display version of the vocabulary from the 'What makes us human?' unit.
Cross-curricular opportunities
British values: Mutual respect, Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Art
Music
RSE: Respectful relationships.