Art of Living
A Perfect Society – Plato
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Introduction
This week, children will delve into the life of Plato, learning valuable lessons on justice and community from ancient Athens. They will watch a video that introduces these concepts through a story set in an Icelandic village, helping them understand how shared values and fair rules can shape a thriving society.
Using this knowledge, students will create a comic strip in Canva, creatively illustrating Plato’s teachings on building an ideal community. Finally, they will design a 9-point checklist on creating a fair and just society, applying ancient wisdom to modern settings. This activity encourages critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for lessons from history, all while honing their design skills in Canva.
This week, we’re going to learn about the philosopher Plato. We’ll start by watching a video about a village in Iceland, where people live together peacefully by following shared rules—just like Plato imagined in his idea of a perfect society.
As you watch, think about how Plato asked his students to picture a perfect world, where everyone helps make the community fair and happy. He believed that by making fair rules, everyone in the community can feel safe and respected.
Next, you’ll explore Plato’s ideas by creating your own comic strip. In this comic, show how Plato might help a community make rules that are fair for everyone. You’ll use Canva to design your comic and make it fun and meaningful.
Finally, you’ll create a 9-point checklist on how to build a fair and just community, based on Plato’s ideas. This checklist will help you bring these lessons into your own life, making your classroom and community a better place for everyone.
Weekly Keywords
In this activity, students will explore key concepts related to Plato’s teachings on justice and the ideal society. They’ll be asked to break down these ideas into simple, easy-to-understand terms, helping them to better grasp and communicate complex philosophical concepts. This exercise will enhance their critical thinking and understanding of Plato’s philosophy.
On the task card provided, you’ll find a list of keywords connected to Plato and his teachings on fairness and community.
Your challenge is to review these words and explain their meanings in the simplest terms possible. This activity will help you understand Plato’s ideas more clearly by breaking them down into easy-to-understand parts. This is an important skill that will help you in all your future learning and discussions.
Quote of the Week - Plato
This week, we’ll draw inspiration from Plato and his profound teachings on justice and the ideal society. Students will explore one of his key quotes, interpreting its significance from their own perspectives, perhaps through art or a multimedia presentation.
The heart of this activity is deep reflection and meaningful conversation. It encourages students to connect with Plato’s wisdom, considering how it influences their personal choices and impacts broader societal interactions.
This approach fosters critical thinking and open discussion, helping students understand how powerful ideas can shape their views and actions. It promotes a commitment to ethical living and community building, aligning with Plato’s enduring legacy of philosophical inquiry.
Each week, we will share an inspirational quote from a great philosopher. This week we will focus on Plato, known for his profound insights on justice, society, and the pursuit of knowledge.
We encourage you to write down the quote, print it, or even create a drawing inspired by his words.
Afterward, take some time to reflect on and discuss the meaning of the quote. Consider what it teaches us about living a just and thoughtful life, and how we can use Plato’s wisdom to better ourselves and our community.
Design Your Information Card - Plato
In this activity, students will research the life of Plato, focusing on key facts like when he lived, where he was from, and what he is known for. They will then use AI tools to create an image of Plato, blending their research with creative design. The final product will be part of a comprehensive collection on eight philosophers.
In this activity, your task is to do some basic research on the life of Plato. You’ll need to record key facts like when he lived, where he was from, and what he is known for. Keep the information simple and to the point, but make sure to include the most important details.
After you’ve gathered the information, find or create an image of Plato. Since Plato lived a very long time ago, before cameras existed, you might want to use AI to help you design this image.
Once finished, your information card will become part of a special collection about all eight philosophers we are studying in this course.
Design Your Comic Strip - Plato
In this activity, students will design a comic strip using Canva, focusing on conveying Plato’s message through both visual design and dialogue. The task encourages students to think critically about how speech and context can effectively deliver meaning.
By selecting the right words and images, they will create a simple yet impactful depiction of Plato’s teachings on justice and the ideal society. This activity develops their skills in storytelling, visual design, and understanding the power of language in communicating ideas.
In this activity, your task is to use the story of Plato that you’ve learned to create your very own comic strip. The goal is to illustrate Plato’s message in a simple yet powerful image. You’ll be using Canva to design your comic, bringing Plato’s ideas to life through art.
Think about how Plato taught about justice and the ideal society. Try to capture the essence of his message in your comic strip. Use Canva’s tools to select colours, shapes, and layouts that best convey the story and message.
Design Your Classroom Constitution
In this activity, students will create a Classroom Constitution, reflecting on values such as fairness, respect, and inclusion.
By working together to design their own set of classroom rules, they engage in meaningful reflection on how these values ensure everyone feels cared for and respected. This exercise fosters a deeper understanding of community and its role in creating a positive, supportive classroom environment.
This week, your task is to design a Classroom Constitution that everyone in your class can follow. The goal is to create a set of rules that take care of everyone and ensure a happy, fair, and respectful environment.
Using the template provided, you will work together to decide on the most important principles that will guide your classroom. These might include being kind to one another, listening when someone is speaking, and making sure everyone feels included.
While you can start with some ideas provided, it’s important that your class discusses and decides on rules that work best for everyone. Think carefully about how you present your ideas—both in design and content. Your goal is to create a Classroom Constitution that is clear, fair, and helps everyone understand how to contribute positively to the classroom community.
Once finished, your Classroom Constitution will be something you all try to follow, ensuring that your classroom is a place where everyone is cared for and respected.
Spin the What if….? Wheel - Our Weekly Discussion
Spin the wheel and let it come to a stop. When the wheel lands, ask yourself the question it points to and discuss it with the people around you.
When we think about big questions like these, we gain a deeper understanding of the world and can appreciate how fortunate we are to live in it today.
You only need to spin the wheel once. If you land on a question you’ve already discussed, simply spin again until you’ve explored all 7 questions.
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Poetry in Action - Acrostic
In this activity, students will explore Acrostic poetry, a form where the first letter of each line spells out a word or message. Drawing inspiration from Plato’s teachings on justice and society, students will craft their own Acrostic poems, blending creativity with thoughtful reflection.
This exercise encourages them to distill complex ideas into simple, expressive language while experimenting with poetic form. Adding imagery further enhances their creative expression, making the learning experience both artistic and intellectually stimulating.
This week, we’re going to turn the wise words of Plato into a creative poem! We’ll be writing a special type of poem called an Acrostic.
What’s an Acrostic? An Acrostic is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word or message vertically. Each line of the poem begins with a letter from the chosen word, and the lines describe or relate to that word.
Look at the example provided. Then, using what you’ve learned from Plato and your own ideas, try to create your own Acrostic poem. Don’t forget to add a picture to make your poem even more beautiful, and you might want to hang it on the wall in your classroom or home!
Completing Your Mission
Students will take a weekly quiz on a philosopher’s life, reinforcing their understanding after rewatching the video. Each quiz includes ten questions, and scoring 80% or higher earns them a certificate. There are many certificates to collect, motivating ongoing engagement and learning. This activity encourages retention and provides a tangible reward for their efforts.
Each week, you’ll be invited to take a quiz focused on the life of a philosopher. This week, it’s all about Plato. After rewatching the video, your task is to correctly answer ten questions about his life and teachings. Achieving a score of 80% or more will earn you a certificate, which will be sent directly to your email.
There are 8 certificates in total for you to collect. Best of luck!