Ancient Israel

Big Question: How does religion change you world view?

In this unit on the Ancient Israel, students will using the examining the concept of monotheism and polytheism. Does your belief change the way you interact with the world? They will use the core belief systems to analysis how the two cultures of Mesopotamia, which is polytheist, and Ancient Israel, which is monotheistic views their similarities and differences in their worlds.

Time Frame two-three weeks.

Culminating activity: Students will take create a abstract drawing that addresses the question, "How does religion change your world view?"

CALIFORNIA HISTORY CONTENT STANDARDS

6.3 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the Ancient Hebrews.

6.6.2. Identify the sources of the ethical teachings and central beliefs of Judaism (the Hebrew Bible, the Commentaries): belief in God, observance of law, practice of the concepts of righteousness and justice, and importance of study; and describe how the ideas of the Hebrew traditions are reflected in the moral and ethical traditions of Western civilization.

COMMON CORE READING STANDARDS FOR LITERACY IN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES 6–12

CCR 7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats,including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

RH 7. Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts,graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.

Students study two civilizations, Mesopotamia and Ancient Israelites. The students worked in teams of two and were asked to draw an abstract picture using only shapes, size, position, and color to communicate the concept of monotheism (Israelites) and polytheism (Mesopotamia). Each student would be responsible for one drawing and the write a rationale explaining what they drew and why. Below is an example of students work posted by period.

Periods

• Period 4
• Period 5
• Period 6