@Home - Primary Ethics

Ethics@Home bulletin for parents Term 1 2024

Welcome to 2024 ethics – and a special welcome to those of you whose children start ethics this year. This @Home bulletin lets you know what your children will be discussing in their ethics lessons this term.

Subscribe here to our @Home email bulletin.

We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them questions about it! These topics are relevant to us as adults too. We’d love to hear of any good discussions you have. Schools commence their ethics programs at different points of the term – some are quick to start, others take awhile to get organised and begin in late February or early March. If you haven’t yet heard, give it a week or two then ask your child.

We always – no exaggeration- need more volunteers to teach ethics. You don’t need any previous teaching experience and it only takes an hour or so a week, at the same time every week so there’s no spillover into the rest of your life. Check out what a volunteer does and how you can apply (or suggest it to friends or grandparents.)

Here’s a brief look at what your children are exploring in their ethics lessons in Term 1 2024.

The topics we show you below are based on classes which begin at the beginning of the year. Schools start at different times (and depend on there being enough volunteers), some lessons go faster or slower than others, some schools skip ethics for the first and last weeks of the term while others teach every single week – and so on. If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website.

Kindergarten: Being curious and asking questions

Young children are curious about countless things and a goal of our curriculum is to nurture this curiosity (as well as their thinking and questioning abilities) so that they’re motivated and confident enough to think critically and for themselves about issues that matter to them. Our first topic of the year encourages students to start thinking about why we ask questions. Students will also consider why it can sometimes be hard to ask questions out loud when we’re worried about looking silly.

Later in the year, students will consider questions about sharing, fairness and doing harm without meaning to.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Pride

In the first Stage 1 topic of the year students explore some big questions to do with pride. What does it mean to be proud of something? Is it okay to be proud of our accomplishments? What about being proud of the things we’re given, like gifts and rewards – is that okay? And why are we sometimes proud of other people?

Later in the year, students will reflect on the importance of having good reasons and discuss the ethics of laziness.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Being selfish

In the first Stage 2 topic of the year, students delve into the ethics of being selfish. Is it okay to act selfishly, or is it always wrong? If you’ve put lots of time or effort into something or you’re worried it could get broken, is it okay not to share it? What does it mean if you help someone but for selfish reasons – is that misleading or deceitful?

Later in the year, students will think about how to disagree respectfully and whether it’s okay to keep animals in captivity.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: A fair society

In the first Stage 3 topic of the year, students ponder what it means to have a fair society. Do we have a responsibility to make sure everyone can go to school and receive medical treatment? What are some of the challenges involved in providing such opportunities? And do governments have a responsibility to address inequalities that are the result of good or bad luck?

Later in the year, students will consider whether it’s ever okay to challenge a rule or piece of advice given by an authority.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: Role models

The first topic of the year invites students to consider the place of role models in our lives. What makes someone a good role model? Must someone to be a good person to be a good role model? Is it fair to have higher expectations of someone just because others consider them a role model? Can having a role model, even if it’s someone you’ve never met, help you navigate life’s moral challenges?

Later in the year, students will discuss whether the voting age should be lowered and some ethical dilemmas to do with friendships.

@Home bulletin Term 4 2023

Our @Home bulletin lets you know what your children are discussing in ethics. These topics are certainly relevant to us as adults too. We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them about it! We’d love to hear of any good discussions you have.

Subscribe here to our @Home email bulletin for parents

The topics we show you below are based on classes which began at the beginning of the year. Please bear in mind that the further we advance into the year, the less likely these topics will be accurate for your child’s class. Classes started at different times (depending on when there were enough volunteers), some lessons go much slower than others, some schools skip ethics for the first and last weeks of the term and so on.

If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website to find it.

Here’s a brief look at what your children could be exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Kindergarten: Owning up
In Term 4, kindy students will explore the ethics of owning up and telling the truth. They’ll talk about whether it’s okay to not speak up and admit when we’ve made a mistake and whether we miss opportunities to learn when we don’t own up.
Later in the term, they’ll reflect on two different ways we can work out if something’s true – by using our senses and by thinking.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Being kind
Our Stage 1 students will explore some big questions about kindness. They’ll consider whether helping someone because you hope to be rewarded or because you’ve been told to counts as being kind.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Cheating
In Term 4, our Stage 2 students will delve into the ethics of cheating. They’ll discuss what counts as cheating and whether cheating is always wrong. As part of this, they’ll consider whether it’s possible to cheat in a one-player game and whether it’s okay to cheat if the other team is cheating.
Later in the term, they’ll explore questions about friendships.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Why should we trust science?
Our Stage 3 students will explore some big questions about trust in science. They’ll talk about whether our beliefs matter and whether we have a responsibility to stay well-informed of the science when making big decisions.
Later in the term, students will consider what it means to treat someone fairly.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: Yuck! The ethics of disgust
In Term 4, our Stage 4 students will ponder how emotions can influence decision-making and whether disgust is a reliable indicator of something being morally bad. They’ll also talk about whether emotions get in the way of making good decisions – or whether they help us make good decisions.
Later in the term, they’ll discuss whether it’s ever okay to put a monetary value on human life.

@Home bulletin July 2023

Welcome to term 3 of ethics – we’re into the second half of the year already! And we still have new schools and new classes joining our ethics education program, so welcome to all the new parents.

Our @Home bulletin lets you know what your children are discussing in ethics. We hope they talk about it with you at home too – ask them about it!

Subscribe here to our @Home email bulletin.

If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website to find it.

Ethics Term 3

Here’s a brief look at what your children could be exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Kindergarten: Disagreeing
In Term 3, students in kindergarten will explore the ethics of disagreeing with others. They’ll talk about whether it’s okay to tell someone they’re wrong (and when it’s important to speak up). They’ll also think about the best ways to express disagreement constructively and kindly.
Later in the year, they’ll tackle topics like owning up and being truthful.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Is it important to understand the rules?
In Term 3, our Stage 1 students will explore some big questions about following the rules. They’ll talk about why following rules can be tough and whether it helps to understand the reasons behind them. They’ll also think about whether people who set rules have a responsibility to explain them.
Later in the year, students will consider questions about stereotyping and being good friends.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Intentions
In Term 3, our Stage 2 students will delve into the importance of intentions. We’ll encourage them to ponder how much our intentions matter. For example, when someone tries to do good but accidentally causes harm, should we focus on their good intentions or the unintended consequences? Similarly, if someone accidentally does something good, should we praise them for it?
Later in the year, they’ll explore questions related to beauty.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Stealing
In Term 3, our Stage 3 students will explore the ethics of stealing. They will talk about what sorts of actions count as stealing. For example, is it stealing to watch a fireworks display from afar without paying? They’ll also think about what, if anything, makes stealing wrong.
Later in the year, students will consider what responsibility society and individuals have to do something about homelessness.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: Does it matter if everyone disagrees with you?
In Term 3, our Stage 4 students will ponder the nature of disagreement. They’ll discuss whether our opinions on matters like taste in food or movies can be objectively wrong. They’ll also reflect on whether discovering that lots of people disagree with us should that make us less confident in our position.
Later in the year, they’ll delve into how emotions can influence our decision-making.

Ethics @Home bulletin for parents Term 2 2023

Our @Home bulletin for parents aims to let you know what your children are discussing in their ethics lessons this term. We hope they’re talking about it with you at home too!

Bear in mind that schools start their ethics programs at different times of the year, basically when they have enough volunteer teachers. The topics we show you below are based on classes which began at the beginning of the year. If your child’s class only commenced this term, you can also take a look at the Curriculum section of our website to see what they’ll be discussing.

Please contact us if you have any questions about your child and ethics.

Subcribe to our @Home email bulletin

Here’s a brief look at what your children could be exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Kindergarten: Doing harm without meaning to
This kindergarten topic explores the ethics of accidentally hurting someone. Students think about and discuss: is it worse to do something bad on purpose or by accident? Should we be punished for harm we cause by accident? Does it matter if it was the result of carelessness or thoughtlessness?
Later in the year, students will consider questions about making things up and showing off.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: When is it fair?
This Stage 1 topic explores the concept of fairness. Students think about and discuss: How can we divide things fairly? Does being fair mean everyone gets an equal share? When you make something, should you still share it with someone who didn’t help?
Later in the year, students will consider how we should treat pet animals.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Persuading

This Stage 2 topic explores the ethics of persuasion. Students think about and discuss: Is it okay to exaggerate or only share part of the truth when trying to persuade someone? And is it fair for advertisers to use tricks to persuade people to buy their products?
Later in the year, students will consider the ethics of getting even – does one bad turn deserve another?

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Being vain

This Stage 3 topic explores the ethics of wanting to be better than others. Students think about and discuss: is it okay to want to look good and to want to look better than other people? How can one person’s vanity impact on the wellbeing of others? And how do you draw the line between reasonable and excessive concern for how we appear to others?
Later in the year, students will consider how to balance the needs of people they know and strangers in need.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: Giving and accepting apologies

This Stage 4 topic explores the ethics of apologising. Students think about and discuss: What makes something a good apology? Do you have to accept a good apology? And is it ever important for a group (like a class of students) to collectively apologise for the actions of one of its members?
Later in the year, students will consider if being happy is all that matters in life.

Ethics @Home bulletin for parents Term 1 2023

Our @Home bulletin aims to let you know what your children are discussing in their ethics lessons this term. We hope they’re talking about it with you at home too!

Subscribe here to our @Home email bulletin.

Schools can take weeks to get organised and start their ethics programs for the year, so some won’t have commenced yet. However, we expect all schools which have enough volunteers to provide ethics to be underway by mid-March. Please contact us if you have any questions about your child and ethics.

Ethics Term 1 2023

Kindergarten: Questions and what is okay

The first topic of the year introduces students to asking questions. They think about and discuss: Why do we ask questions? Why might someone feel reluctant to ask questions? Is it okay to say that someone’s answer is silly or bad?

Later in the year, kindy students will consider topics on sharing, including others and causing harm without meaning to.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Empathy
The first topic of the year invites students to consider the importance of empathy. Students think about and discuss: Is it important to reflect on how others are feeling? How do you work out how someone else might be feeling? And is it possible to imagine how someone else feels if you’ve never been in a similar situation?

Later in the year, Stage 1 students will consider whether being fair means giving everyone an equal share and whether it’s okay to treat people differently because they are your friends.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Being greedy
The first topic of the year invites students to consider being greedy. Students think about and discuss: What does it mean to be greedy? Is there anything wrong with wanting more money or toys than you can use? Is it okay to want to be the richest person in the world?

Later in the year, Stage 2 students will consider whether lying is always wrong and whether it’s okay for advertisers to use tricks to persuade people to buy their products.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Voting
The first topic of the year invites students to consider voting. Students think about and discuss: Is it okay to vote for someone just because they’re your friend? How should we balance self-interest and the needs of others when choosing who to vote for? For example, is it okay to vote for someone whose policies would benefit me but are not in the best interests of everyone? Should voting be compulsory or voluntary?

Later in the year, Stage 3 students will consider whether punishment is necessary to stop people from doing wrong and whether it’s okay to be vain.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: You’re not the boss of me
The first topic of the year invites students to consider how much control they should have over their own lives. Students think about and discuss: What right do parents, adults and governments have to limit teenagers’ freedoms? Why do we have age limits in Australia? And is it okay to stop people from doing things because they might get hurt?

Later in the year, Stage 4 students will consider whether hoarding food and medical supplies is wrong and what makes a good apology.

@Home bulletin for parents Term 4 2022

Our @Home bulletin aims to let you know what your children are discussing in their ethics lessons this term. We hope they’re talking about it with you at home too!

You can subscribe to our @Home email bulletin here.

Below we outline the topics that classes would be up to if they started at the beginning of the year. However, not every school started their ethics program then – some started in Term 2, some in Term 3, even some this term!

So if your child says they aren’t talking about the topics below, please take a look for what they are discussing in the Curriculum section of our website.

What they’re talking about in ethics – Term 4

Here’s a brief look at what your children are exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Kindergarten: Owning up
Is it important to own up to a mistake if we do something wrong – like breaking a window? Why can it be difficult to own up? Why might we feel reluctant to own up? Can avoiding owning up mean we lose an opportunity to reflect and learn – and does that matter?

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Ownership
What sorts of things can we own? Can we own a shell we find on the beach or a sandcastle? Can we own a picture of someone else? Can we own animals – like pets and wild lizards? If we make something, do we own it? And what about the smell of food – can we own that too?

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Breaking a promise
What is a promise – and is it different from simply saying you’ll do something? Is it ever okay to break a promise? How important is trust in friendships?

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Are some things just wrong?
How important is it to have consistent moral values? Are some things just wrong (regardless of whether some cultures think they’re okay)? If so, how can we tell what’s right or wrong in a way that’s independent of culture?

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: From moon trash to migrant horses
Is it always wrong to litter? What about leaving rubbish on the moon – is there anything wrong with that? Should we always try to remove introduced species like wild horses? Does it matter how long ago they were introduced? What does it mean to be a custodian of the land – and is it compatible with owning land?