20 Engaging Philosophy & Ethics Resources for Humanities and ELA | Grades 7-12

What is love? What is virtue? What is the meaning of life? What is reality? Why is Socrates talking to strangers? Who are Glaucon and Protagoras, and why does it matter if I am in a cave? How do I know I’m not dreaming right now? What would I do if I could act without fear of punishment? What’s the Marshmallow Test, and how can I take excellent notes in class?

I’ve combined twenty compelling, classroom-tested resources to infuse your middle and high school Humanities and ELA lessons with engaging philosophy and ethics content.

With this comprehensive philosophy and ethics bundle, you will receive:

• 1-3. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
  • Introduce students to this imaginative allegory exploring humanity’s search for truth and meaning.
  • Art Connection from the New York Public Library Digital Collection
  • Characters and Places Anchor Chart
  • Three Google Forms Assessments
  • Note-taking Template
  • 60+ Quiz Bowl Questions and Activities
  • Pub-Style Trivia Answer Sheets

• 4. + 5. The Ring of Gyges
  • Explore justice, power, and morality in a rewarding group discussion.
  • Three Google Forms Assessments

• 6. + 7. The Origin of Virtue: Plato’s Protagoras (with the Myth of Prometheus)
  • Google Forms Assessment
  • Full-Text of the Myth from Plato’s Protagoras (The Origin of Virtue)
  • Art & Literature Connection: “Epimetheus Opening Pandora’s Box” by Giulio Bonasone
  • Informational Text: Plato’s Origin of Virtue
  • 11 Reading Comprehension Questions
  • 6 Discussion and Critical Thinking Questions
  • Half-Sheet 3-2-1 Exit Ticket

• 8. The Origin of Love: Plato’s Symposium
  • Suggested Lesson & Pacing Calendar for a 90-minute block
  • Two easy-to-understand texts: Plato’s Symposium and Freud’s Beyond the Pleasure Principle
  • Connections to the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch
  • Google Forms Assessment
  • Art & Literature Connection: “The Symposium of Plato” by Pietro Testa, 1648
  • Informational Text on Banquets in Ancient Greece
  • 16 Text-based Questions and 14 Carousel Activity Discussion Questions
  • Customized Cornell Note-taking Template
  • 2 Pairs of Half-Sheet Exit Tickets

• 9. + 10. Nietzsche and Groundhog Day: The Meaning of Life
  • Connect Nietzsche’s philosophy of eternal recurrence with Bill Murray’s iconic film Groundhog Day in this popular lesson pack.
  • Also includes 19 Quotes from Nietzsche: Discussion and Writing Activity

• 11. Empiricism vs. Rationalism
  • Ideal for IB Theory of Knowledge or Critical Thinking classes
  • Editable Google Slides for classroom use

• 12. Moral Dilemma Discussion
  • Graphic Organizer: “The Three Elements of a Moral Act”
  • Four-point Grading Rubric
  • Exit Ticket for understanding checks

• 13. Map Activity: A Day in the Life of Socrates (411 B.C.E.)
  • Interactive digital map activity exploring Socrates’ daily routine in Ancient Athens

• 14. The Parable of the Madman by Friedrich Nietzsche
  • Deep dive into Nietzsche’s famous proclamation “God is dead.”
  • Close reading and writing lesson resource

• 15. The Problem of Evil: A Theodicy Lesson
  • Explore and debate the challenging philosophical question of human suffering and divine existence.

• 16. What is Philosophy? Task Card Set
  • Original and colorful design
  • Facilitate easy small or whole group discussions
  • Printable and shareable (color and black-line versions)

• 17. Freedom Discussion Task Cards
  • Engage students in conversations about freedom, choice, and personal agency

• 18. The Marshmallow Test Mini-Lesson
  • Structured “I Do, We Do, You Do” lesson guide
  • Student-facing version optimized for Google Apps
  • Visual aids, task cards, discussion tracker, and exit tickets
  • Google Forms Entrance and Exit Tickets

• 19. Writing Graphic Organizer for Analyzing Quotes and Textual Evidence
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Two Half-Sheet Graphic Organizers
  • Digital Version Link

• 20. 3-Box Note-taking Template
  • Teacher’s guide from Stones of Erasmus
  • Printable and digital versions included
  • 1 Pre-filled Student Sample
  • 2 Blank Note-taking Templates

Bonus:

1. Unit Standards Alignment Chart
2. Cornell Notetaking Templates

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