A Lesson Plan on Teaching Religious Tolerance

Group: Atheists/Nonbelievers/Irreligious

Grade Level: Lower Elementary (K to 2)

Duration: 45 minutes

Setting: Media Center (collaborative lesson with classroom teacher)

Lesson Title: Growing Up Without Fear: Understanding Love, Safety, and Family Beliefs

Standards

Library Media Standards:

• F: Focus on the information need

  • Identify the book’s message about love, fear, and safety

• I: Investigate sources

  • Listen to the text and observe illustrations

• N: Note information

  • Identify the central idea and relevant details

• D: Develop a product

  • Create a personal reflection about safety and contribute to the kindness chain

• S: Score

  • Reflect on understanding and share ideas during discussion

Florida ELA BEST Standards:

• ELA.2.R.2.2 - Identify the central idea and relevant details in a text.

• ELA.1.SL.1.1 - Participate in collaborative conversations with peers and adults.

Instructional Goal

Students will identify the central message of the book, recognize that families can hold different beliefs, and understand that love and kindness help people feel safe. Students will create a simple reflection showing what helps them feel safe and supported.

Resources and Tools

• You’re Not Going to Hell: Growing Up Without God and Living Without Fear by Sara Scot

• Chart paper or whiteboard

• Crayons, pencils, or markers

• “Things That Make Me Feel Safe” worksheet or blank paper

• Paper strips for kindness chain

• Glue sticks

Activities and Instructional Steps

Warm-Up and Introduction (3 to 4 minutes)

• Students gather in The Learning Lair (learning area) in The Cougar Den (media center)

• Explain that today’s book shares one family’s message about love, safety, and beliefs.

• Ask

  • “What are some ways families can be different?”

Read-Aloud (8 to 10 minutes)

• Read the book aloud, showing illustrations

• Pause briefly to check understanding.

• Ask:

  • What message does the book repeat about love and kindness?

  • What does the book say about staying safe and happy?

• Students help identify the central idea:

  • Love, kindness, and family support help us feel safe.

Mini Discussion (5 minutes)

• Create a quick two-column chart:

  • Scary or confusing ideas people hear

  • Safe and loving messages families give

• Guide students to use details from the text, such as:

  • “You are safe in the love that surrounds you.”

  • “Your kindness comes from your heart.”

Student Activity #1: What Makes Me Feel Safe (7 to 8 minutes)

• Students draw or write things that help them feel safe and loved.

  • Examples include family, pets, friends, routines, or acts of kindness.

• A few volunteers share their work.

Student Activity #2: Kindness Chain (3 to 4 minutes)

• Students write or draw one kind action on a paper strip.

• Links are combined to create a Cougar Den “Kindness Chain.”

Wrap-Up and Check for Understanding (2 minutes)

• Ask:

  • What was the main message of the book?

  • What helps you feel safe and supported?

• Reinforce that families and beliefs can differ, but love and kindness help everyone feel safe.

Assessment and Evidence of Learning

Students show understanding when they:

• Identify the book’s central idea using details from the text.

• Participate in conversation respectfully.

• Complete a drawing or sentence about what helps them feel safe.

• Add a strip to the kindness chain.

Supplementary Recommendations

Title: Atheism for Children: An Introduction to the Concept and Ideas of Atheism for Young Minds

Author: Liza Kapa

Illustrator: Liza Kapa

Audience: Lower Elementary

Justification: Although lacking traditional professional reviews, this title addresses a gap in children’s literature by introducing secular and humanist perspectives in simple, accessible language.

Classification: An age-appropriate introduction to atheism, focusing on curiosity, knowledge, and humanist values.

Title: Annabelle and Aiden: What Happens When We Die?

Author: J. R. Becker

Illustrator: Max Rambaldi

Audience: Lower Elementary

Justification: Well regarded among educators and secular parenting communities, this book approaches a sensitive topic with clarity and comfort using evidence-based explanations.

Classification: A pro-science picture book encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and wonder.