Unit Description: The origins of belief systems and its impact on the development emerging cultures.
Stage 1- Desired Results
Essential Questions
Enduring Understandings
Students understand that...
The emergence and spread of belief systems influenced and shaped the development of cultures, as well as their traditions and identities. Important similarities and differences between these belief systems are found in their core beliefs, ethical codes, practices, and social relationships.
How did beliefs systems emerge and spread throughout the ancient world.
What impact did these belief systems have upon different cultures.
What similarities and differences developed between these different belief systems.
Common Core Standards and Performance Indicators:
Unifying Themes:
Individual Development and Cultural Identity (ID)
Development and Transformation of Social Structures (SOC)
Knowledge
Students know that...
9.2a Belief systems developed beliefs and practices to address questions of origin, the requirements to live a good life, and the nature of the afterlife.
9.2b Belief systems were often used to unify groups of people, and affected social order and gender roles.
Skills
Students will be able to...
Students will identify the place of origin, compare and contrast the core beliefs and practices, and explore the sacred texts and ethical codes for Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, and Daoism.
Students will examine similarities and differences between Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Confucianism regarding their effects on social order and gender roles.
Stage 2- Assessment Evidence
Performance Task
Other Evidence
Ancient Religion CRQ: 3 document questions and a summary paragraph
Judaism, Christianity and Islam Compared: table with questions
Textbook:
Confucius on Education (page 965)
The Quran (page 971 BB)
St. Paul letter (Page 970 BB)
Create your own holy laws taking from each of the seven major religions in order to achieve enlightenment? (heaven, zen, bliss, etc?)
Education and Religion in the Ancient World Activity: reading with critical thinking questions, connections to today, and directions for a skit
Living as an Untouchable: Primary source and questions (pages 28-30)
Indian Creation Myth: leads to caste system (page 27)
Stage 3- Related Lessons
These lessons are aligned with the unit goals.
Technology and Resources
Religion Unit: short readings for all major religions; primary sources and interactive activities; easily picked apart and edited; GREAT RESOURCE
World Religions: Compare and Contrast: Uses video of Akhenaten to lead to comparison activity; includes discussion questions
Lesson Plans: Origins, Beliefs, and Impact of Hinduism (Starts on Page 6): Uses artifacts to trace the roots of Hinduism
Praise God (page 64): Looks at Mesopotamia mythology and gods and asks student to create their own versions
Venn Diagram: Christianity, Islam and Judaism
Judaism and Christianity primary sources: Creation story and Ten Commandments from Exodus: Pages 6 - 14
The Analects: Primary source; begins on page 18
Buddha's First Sermon: brief excerpt that introduces the differences between Hinduism and Buddhism (page 32)
PM Session
Skill:
Compare/Contrast
Analyze primary sources
Writing the Thematic Essay (Unit 3 Kaplan)