Atheist students by Zachary Guns https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk Supporting Exceptional Children en-us 2020-09-17 19:54:53 UTC 2020-09-18 16:10:31 UTC hello@padlet.com Definition: zguns2 https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756887763 Atheism: 
  • a: a lack of belief or a strong disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods
  • b: a philosophical or religious position characterized by disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods
  • Source: “Atheism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheism. Accessed 16 Sep. 2020.

]]> 2020-09-17 20:00:42 UTC https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756887763 Characteristics: zguns2 https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756890138
  • Likely to become uncomfortable, upset and/or defensive when asked about religion.
  • May be completely unaware of the concept of a deity if they come from an atheist family.
  • Beliefs rooted in empathy rather than in fear of punishment in the afterlife.
  • Morality is driven from principles such as "treat others the way you would like to be treated" rather than enforced by a deity. 

    • ]]>     2020-09-17 20:01:37 UTC https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756890138     Strategies for accommodating students: zguns2 https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756893711
  • Give students the freedom to omit the “…under God…” part of the Pledge of Allegiance (it’s the students’ legal right to do so!).
  • Support students who wish to form/join an Atheist Club at school (so long as the school allows any non-curricular student clubs, it is the students’ legal right to form an Atheist Club if they so choose!).
  • Ensure your classroom is a neutral safe space. Do not openly advertise or display religious items/imagery in your classroom, no forced prayers involving students, and it’s ok to discuss religion at an educational level, but certainly not ok to preach it or recruit for it in a classroom. 

    • ]]>     2020-09-17 20:02:57 UTC https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756893711     Resources for Parents: zguns2 https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756895474
  • Help! My Kid Is an Atheist: How to relate to the nonbelievers in your life with confidence and compassion by K.C. Russell. The aim of the book is for believers of any religion to understand the viewpoints of nonbelievers, as well as ways to find common ground and communicate/coexist peacefully. 
  • Lessons About Atheism for ages 8 and up by Atheist Ireland (https://www.teachdontpreach.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/AI-Lesson-Plans-about-Atheism-.pdf) PDF packet that teaches about atheism and its connection to religion through text, pictures and activities. Intended for use by teachers, but makes more sense for use by parents.

    • ]]>     2020-09-17 20:03:35 UTC https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756895474     Resources for Teachers: zguns2 https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756896102
  • Religious Diversity in the Classroom Webinar Series by Tanenbaum and Teaching Tolerance (https://tanenbaum.org/programs/education/religious-diversity-in-the-classroom-webinar-series/). Five part webinar series that covers the importance of including religious diversity in classroom content across grade levels for supporting students’ religious and nonreligious identities. 
  • American Atheists: Schools (https://www.atheists.org/legal/faq/schools/). Website that provides information about/to atheists in the United States, atheist/religious updates, activism and legal information. The Schools tab under Frequently Asked Questions provides answers for legal questions concerning religion in school. 

    • ]]>     2020-09-17 20:03:50 UTC https://padlet.com/zguns2/d7cqfd123zaj6ldk/wish/756896102