World Religions

Introduction

What do you believe in?

There are many different kinds of belief systems, otherwise known as religions. It is easy to become centered around one belief system because of the people and places that we have grown up around. We must also know that it is important to be knowledgable of the other religions and customs of the world as well. In this quest, you will become familiar with a religion that is different from your own, and begin to see the world through the eyes of another belief system.

Task

Create either a video, a poster, or a presentation about the religion you are researching.

You must provide information about:

The name of the religion

Its origins (when / how / where did it begin/major people involved in the beginning)

Place(s) of worship

The main beliefs, rituals and practices

The religion's text(s)

Major celebrations (what they are / when are they celebrated and how)

Any special rules and/or restrictions

Process

Step 1:

Choose a religion from below (choose one that is not your own):

1.) Buddhism

2.) Christianity

3.) Hinduism

4.) Islam

5.) Judaism

Step 2:

Do research on your chosen religion using the following links and/or books:

(Feel free to look up information on sites that you have found, just be sure to cite those resources appropriately)

1.) Buddhism

http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/religion/buddhism.htm

https://sites.google.com/site/worldreligionsforkids/buddhism

http://ancienthistory.mrdonn.org/Buddhism.html

A Pebble for Your Pocket By: Thich Nhat Hanh

The Tale of Parrot and the Fig Tree By: The Jataka Tales

2.) Christianity

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/religion/christi…

https://sites.google.com/site/worldreligionsforkids/christianity

https://www.uri.org/kids/world_chri.htm

The Holy Bible

3.) Hinduism

https://sites.google.com/site/worldreligionsforkids/home/hinduism

https://www.uri.org/kids/world_hind.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLa996MzgjE

Elephant Prince: The Story of Ganesh Hardcover By: Amy Novesky

4.) Islam

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/religion/Islam.h…

https://sites.google.com/site/worldreligionsforkids/islam

http://www.islamkids.org/

Muhammad By: Jessica Cohn

What is Islam? Who are Muslims? By: Carole Marsh

5.) Judaism

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/religion/jewish…

https://sites.google.com/site/worldreligionsforkids/judaism

The Boy on the Wooden Box By: Leon Leyson

Somewhere there is still a Sun By: Michael Gruenbaum

Step 3:

Come up with a creative way to present the information that you have accumulated about your religion. (Get this approved by teacher)

Step 4:

Present information to the class!

Evaluation

Project Component	Criteria	Point Value
Creativity	Is the final project creative? Are there pictures, colors, or subtle accents that creatively blend the information contained in the project?	10/50 points
Information	Is the information about your presented accurately and completely?	10/50 points
Informational Depth	Is the project full of details about the religion? Are both the details required as well as creative details articulated?	15/50 points
Class Participation	Did the student effectively manage his/her time to complete the project on time? Did the student remain on task throughout the allotted class time given to work on this project?	10/50 points
Project Reflection	Did the student respond thoroughly and thoughtfully throughout the explanation in the project?	5/50 points

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've completed your quest, and hopefully you've learned a lot in the process. We are wrapping up our study on world religions with opportunities for you to share your knowledge and your final projects with us. As we prepare to move on to our next social studies unit, think about the work that you've done and what you have learned...

Answer the following questions in your student notebooks:

1.) How have the leaders of different religions influenced society?

2.) How are different religions the same? How are they different?

3.) What skills or strategies did you use to complete this project successfully?

4.) Which parts of the project were especially easy for you?

5.) Which parts were more challenging?

6.) Is there anything that you would like to do differently next time?

7.) What did you enjoy about this project? What didn't you like? What was your favorite part?

8.) Do you have any suggestions for projects in the future? How would you like to learn about world religions?

Teacher Page

6th Grade Social Studies

Content Standard 6.8:

Modern cultural practices and products show the influence of tradition and diffusion, including the impact of major world religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism).

http://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Academic-Content-Standards/Social-Studies/Grade-6-Social-Studies-Model-Curriculum_April2014.pdf.aspx

Essential Questions --

1.) What are the geographical origins of Buddhism? Who are the founding leaders and what are the teaching?

2.) What is diffusion?

3.) How did religion in river valley civilizations influence modern religious practices?

4.) What are the geographical origins of Christianity? Who are the founding leaders and what are the teaching?

5.) What are the geographical origins of Hinduism? Who are the founding leaders and what are the teaching?

6.) What are the geographical origins of Islam? Who are the founding leaders and what are the teaching?

7.) What are the geographical origins of Judaism? Who are the founding leaders and what are the teaching?

Informational Links:

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/world-religions-multicultural-di…

http://www.tolerance.org/lesson/taking-closer-look-religions-around-world

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/resources-world-religions/?_r=0

http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/history/world_history…