Beltane: Enlightenment Ideas
The great thinkers of the Enlightenment championed reason, rights, and freedom. As Beltane celebrates life and community, we explore the ideas that shaped the modern world.
UU Principle Focus
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand key Enlightenment thinkers and their ideas
- • Connect Enlightenment philosophy to modern democracy and rights
- • Explore the contributions of women to Enlightenment thought
- • Master operations with rational and irrational numbers
- • Study human impact on ecosystems and conservation
- • Connect Beltane themes of life and freedom to Enlightenment ideals
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: The Enlightenment Begins
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Enlightenment thinkers believed reason could solve human problems. What problems do you think reason can solve? What might it miss?
📚 Language Arts
Introduction to the Enlightenment. The Age of Reason. Key ideas: reason, progress, natural rights. Write about the power and limits of reason.
✖️ Math
Rational and irrational numbers. What makes a number rational? Approximating irrational numbers.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Human impact on ecosystems. Pollution, habitat destruction, climate change introduction.
✏️ Form Drawing
Enlightenment-era decorative designs
🧶 Handwork
Begin Beltane crafts; flower garlands
📖 Story
The Age of Reason Dawns
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- The Enlightenment
- Human Environmental Impact
Shows:
- The Day the Universe Changed
Audio:
- Enlightenment history
Week 2: John Locke and Natural Rights
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Locke said all people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. How does this connect to our 1st Principle? What rights do all people deserve?
📚 Language Arts
Study John Locke: natural rights, social contract, consent of the governed. Read excerpts. Write about human rights.
✖️ Math
Operations with rational numbers. Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing fractions and decimals.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Conservation and sustainability. Protecting ecosystems. What can we do?
✏️ Form Drawing
Document and scroll designs
🧶 Handwork
Continue flower crafts; weave flower crowns
📖 Story
John Locke: The Rights of Man
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- John Locke Explained
- Conservation
Shows:
- Ideas That Changed the World
Audio:
- Philosophy podcast
Week 3: Montesquieu and Separation of Powers
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Montesquieu argued power should be divided to prevent tyranny. How do we prevent any one person or group from having too much power? (5th Principle)
📚 Language Arts
Study Montesquieu and separation of powers. Compare to U.S. government. Write about checks and balances.
✖️ Math
Comparing and ordering rational numbers. Number lines and inequalities.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Biodiversity: why variety matters. Endangered species. Extinction.
✏️ Form Drawing
Government building architectural designs
🧶 Handwork
Maypole ribbon preparation; garden work
📖 Story
Montesquieu: Dividing Power
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Separation of Powers
- Biodiversity
Shows:
- The Story of Us
Audio:
- Political philosophy
Week 4: Voltaire and Freedom of Speech
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Voltaire defended free speech even for ideas he disagreed with. Why is free expression important? Are there limits? (4th Principle)
📚 Language Arts
Study Voltaire: religious tolerance, free speech, criticism of injustice. Read his satire. Write about the importance of free expression.
✖️ Math
Solving problems with rational numbers. Multi-step word problems.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Invasive species. How non-native species disrupt ecosystems. Case studies.
✏️ Form Drawing
Satirical illustration in Enlightenment style
🧶 Handwork
Create Beltane decorations; prepare celebration
📖 Story
Voltaire: Champion of Free Speech
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Voltaire Documentary
- Invasive Species
Shows:
- Free Speech History
Audio:
- Voltaire's works
Week 5: Rousseau and the Social Contract
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Rousseau believed people are naturally good but corrupted by society. Do you agree? How do we create a just society?
📚 Language Arts
Study Rousseau: the social contract, general will, education. Read excerpts. Write about creating a just society.
✖️ Math
Real numbers: rational and irrational together. The number line as a complete picture.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Ecosystem restoration. How damaged ecosystems can recover. Success stories.
✏️ Form Drawing
Nature and society contrasted in design
🧶 Handwork
Complete Maypole preparations; flower arrangements
📖 Story
Rousseau: The Social Contract
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Rousseau Explained
- Ecosystem Restoration
Shows:
- Philosophy Documentary
Audio:
- Social contract theory
Week 6: Women of the Enlightenment
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Women like Mary Wollstonecraft demanded equal rights. Why were women excluded from 'natural rights'? How do we expand justice to include everyone?
📚 Language Arts
Study Enlightenment women: Wollstonecraft, Émilie du Châtelet, salonnières. Write about the fight for women's rights.
✖️ Math
Review rational and irrational numbers. Real-world applications.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Review ecology and human impact. Create an environmental action plan.
✏️ Form Drawing
Portraits and designs honoring Enlightenment women
🧶 Handwork
Final Beltane preparations; altar decoration
📖 Story
Mary Wollstonecraft: A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Women of the Enlightenment
- Environmental Action
Shows:
- Herstory
Audio:
- Women's history
Week 7: Beltane: Celebrating Life and Freedom
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Beltane celebrates life, fertility, and community. The Enlightenment celebrated human potential and freedom. How do we celebrate life and work for freedom?
📚 Language Arts
Write a reflection on freedom, community, and human potential. Complete Enlightenment projects. Present research.
✖️ Math
Year-end review. Assessment and celebration of learning.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Present environmental action plans. Commit to one action.
✏️ Form Drawing
Maypole and celebration designs
🧶 Handwork
Decorate the Maypole; complete all Beltane crafts
📖 Story
The Promise of the Enlightenment
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Beltane Traditions
- Year in Review
Shows:
- The Story of Us
Audio:
- Celebration stories
🌺 Beltane Celebration
- 🟡 Dance around the Maypole with ribbons
- 🟡 Crown a May Queen and King
- 🟡 Create flower garlands and crowns
- 🟡 Present Enlightenment research projects
- 🟡 Share environmental action commitments
- 🟡 Celebrate freedom, community, and the coming of summer