Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Morality of Modern Man

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is fundamental to guide both the teacher and the students on the main focus of the lesson. This section aims to clarify the key points that will be addressed, ensuring that students have clarity about what is expected of them and how they can apply the knowledge gained in practical situations. Additionally, it serves to align expectations and prepare the ground for effective and engaged learning.

Main Objectives:

1. Describe and analyze morality as a set of values that influence human behavior in modern societies.

2. Explore how individual and collective moral values affect and shape interactions and social relationships.

3. Establish a connection between the moral theory studied and its practical application in individuals' daily decisions.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage students' critical thinking about contemporary moral dilemmas.
2. Encourage active participation of students in the discussion of practical cases during the class.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction phase is crucial to establish a common starting point for all students, actively engaging them in the lesson through problem situations that stimulate reflection on prior study. Additionally, the contextualization helps solidify the relevance of the topic, connecting theory with practical reality and encouraging greater curiosity and engagement from students.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine that an employee discovers a flaw in the security system of their company that could be exploited for personal gain. Should they inform their superiors or take advantage of the flaw to gain a financial advantage?

2. A student has access to the answers of an important test before the exam day. Should she share these answers with her friends to help them pass or maintain the integrity of the educational process by reporting the incident?

Contextualization

Morality is a theme that permeates all aspects of human life, from personal decisions to global issues. By exploring moral dilemmas, such as those presented in the problem situations, students can better understand how moral values are applied in real life. The choices we make reflect our internal values and shape our character, influencing society as a whole. The discussion about government surveillance and privacy raises questions about ethics and social responsibility.

Development

Duration: (75 - 85 minutes)

The Development stage is essential for applying and deepening students' prior knowledge of morality through practical and interactive activities. This section allows students to explore moral dilemmas in various contexts, reinforcing the understanding of the complexities of moral decisions and the importance of values in society. By actively participating in the proposed activities, students develop critical thinking, argumentation, and empathy skills, which are essential for the formation of conscious and responsible citizens.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - The Judgment of Values

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Explore how different value systems can lead to different moral decisions and understand the importance of diverse perspectives on ethical issues.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups, and each group will represent a society with a specific set of moral values. They will receive a hypothetical scenario where a moral dilemma must be resolved, and each group must argue and defend its position based on the moral values of its designated society.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Assign each group a society with a specific set of moral values.

• Present a moral dilemma scenario and ask each group to discuss and present a solution based on the values of their society.

• Each group must prepare an argumentative presentation of its decision for the class.

• Conduct a vote to decide which group presented the most convincing solution and why.

Activity 2 - The Map of Morality

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Visually represent how different actions are perceived morally and discuss the factors that influence these perceptions.

- Description: Students, in groups, will create maps representing how different actions and decisions align with different moral values. They will use real or hypothetical cases to position actions on a spectrum from good to bad, discussing how different circumstances can change the moral perception of an action.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Hand out cards with different actions and decisions to each group.

• Students should create a map on paper, positioning each action on a morality spectrum.

• Discuss with the groups how they classified the actions and what criteria were used.

• Each group presents its map and justifies its choices to the class.

Activity 3 - Dilemmas on Stage

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Engage students in analyzing moral dilemmas through a creative and interactive approach, promoting empathy and understanding of multiple perspectives.

- Description: Groups of students will create and perform short plays that present moral dilemmas. After each presentation, the class will discuss the decisions made by the characters, exploring the consequences and moral values involved.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Each group chooses or is assigned a moral dilemma to develop into a short play.

• Groups prepare and rehearse their plays, focusing on the clear expression of the moral dilemmas.

• After the presentations, lead a class discussion about the different decisions made by the characters and their impacts.

• Encourage students to explore how different choices could have led to different outcomes.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to allow students to collectively reflect on the activities carried out and the learning acquired. This discussion helps consolidate students' understanding of how different moral values influence decisions in various situations, promoting greater understanding and respect for the diversity of moral perspectives. Additionally, it stimulates students' articulation and argumentation skills, which are crucial for personal and academic development.

Group Discussion

To begin the group discussion, suggest that each group share their experiences and conclusions about the activities carried out. Ask them to report how the attributed moral values influenced their decisions in the presented dilemmas and what they learned about the diversity of moral perspectives. Facilitate the conversation by ensuring that each group has equal time to present and that other students can ask questions or comment on their classmates' presentations.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges in deciding in your groups during the moral dilemma activity?

2. How can the moral values of different societies influence your decisions in real situations?

3. What lessons do you take from today's discussions and activities into your daily life?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion stage is to consolidate learning, ensuring that students have captured the central teachings of the lesson. By summarizing and linking the theory learned to the practical activities, this section helps reinforce students' understanding and recognize the applicability of the discussed concepts. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of morality in daily life, preparing students to apply this knowledge in their own lives.

Summary

To conclude the lesson, it is crucial to summarize and recapitulate the concepts explored about modern man's morality. During the session, it was discussed how moral values influence personal and collective decisions and shape social interactions. This review helps reinforce learning and ensures that students have understood the key points discussed.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was structured to connect theory with practice through interactive activities that simulated moral dilemmas, allowing students to apply theoretical concepts in practical situations. This approach not only facilitated understanding of the theoretical content but also highlighted its relevance in the daily lives of students.

Closing

Finally, it is important to emphasize that morality is not just an academic theme but an essential part of everyday life that guides behaviors and decisions. Understanding and reflecting on moral values is fundamental to the development of conscious and responsible individuals in an increasingly complex and diverse society.