Overview: This unit explores a number of faith traditions (focusing on Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Islam), what they teach, how they interact, and how they influence the lives of their followers. The unit begins by asking the question of whether or not we can even study religion in a public school before focusing on some key themes that different religions have in common. The middle of the unit consists of a field trip to two religious sites as well as a panel of speakers that both help students to see how religion influences the lives of its followers and manifests in the world. The unit then ends with students doing independent research to create a 20 minute lesson that they teach to a small group of their classmates.
Essential Questions:
- What are the different elements that many faith traditions have in common?
- What are the different elements that are unique in each faith tradition?
- How do the different faith traditions answer deep and meaningful questions about life and how to live?
- How does being a member of a faith affect someone’s life?
- How can we teach other students about important practices in a faith tradition?
Materials:
- Full Unit Map
- Presentation and Student Materials, for First Day Discussion of Religion in Public Schools
- Guidelines and Student Materials, for Interview Project
Overview: This unit explores a number of faith traditions (focusing specifically on Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Islam), what they teach, how they interact and how they influence the lives of their followers. The unit begins by asking the question of whether or not we can even study religion in a public school before focusing on some key themes that different religions have in common. The middle of the unit consists of a field trip to two religious sites in Flushing Queens as well as a panel of speaks that both help students to see how religion influences the lives of its followers and manifests in the world. The unit then ends with students doing independent research to create a 20 minute lesson that they teach to a small group of their classmates.
Essential Questions:
- What are the different elements that many faith traditions have in common?
- What are the different elements that are unique in each faith tradition?
- How do the different faith traditions answer deep and meaningful questions about life and how to live?
- How does being a member of a faith affect someone’s life?
- How can we teach other students about important practices in a faith tradition?
Content:
- Constitution: The first amendment and how it applies to the teaching about religion in school
- Background Information on 5 faith Traditions:
- Beginning location and geographic spread
- Major figures
- Beliefs around morality, death and the scared
- Sacred Architecture
- Visual representations of faith and the scared
- Lived Experience
- The different ways that religion can affect the lives of its adherents
Activity One:
- Read and analyze a case study from the pluralism website
- Discuss in small groups (if applicable) what the solution should be and why
- Write a reflection on the process and what the individual student believes should be done in this situation and how it might relate to their lives
Activity Two:
- Students choose one of the 5 faiths or one of the lesser known faiths to do internet research on the background of the religion and an important practice its followers carry out.
- Students create a google slides presentation as well as a worksheet for other students to complete.
- Students then present a 20 minute lesson to a group of 5 to 6 students, grading their worksheet at the end while students evaluate the teacher. (presentation could be to family members or homeschooling peers).
Resources:
Pluralism Project: Rivers of Faith – religious traditions of humankind
