Explain in your own words what absurdism means. Can you give a short example?

Absurdism is the belief that life is meaningless and we search for meaning anyway. Example answers will vary.

Imagine you are trying to build a sandcastle on a beach, but the tide keeps washing it away. How could this be an example of absurdism?

Building the sandcastle is the search for meaning, but the tide washing it away represents the meaninglessness of the effort.

Think about a time you tried really hard at something, but it didn't work out. How did you feel? Did you find any meaning in the experience, even if you didn't succeed?

Answers will vary, but should reflect on the student's experience and whether they found meaning despite a lack of success.

Is the following situation an example of absurdism? Explain your answer: A dog chasing its tail.

Yes, it could be an example. The dog is putting in a lot of effort to catch its tail, but it will never succeed. It is a repetitive, meaningless task.

Give an example of a rule at school or at home that seems silly or pointless to you. How might someone explain this rule using the idea of absurdism?

Answers will vary depending on the rule chosen, but the explanation should connect the rule to a search for order or meaning in a chaotic world, even if the rule itself seems illogical.

What is Absurdism?

Name: What is Absurdism?
Author: Insta~Lesson

5th Grade · ELA · 45 min

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Learning Objective

I can explain what absurdism is using examples from everyday life.

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What is Absurdism?

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