Thematic Teaching

religious diversity: activity ideas

Activity Ideas | Related Resources

A Tapestry of Religions

Grade Level: 3-5
Subject: Social Studies; Math

This lesson presents numerous opportunities for students to acknowledge the many different religions practiced in America. In this activity children will research multiple religions in America and create graphs to sort and represent their collected information. Because there are so many religions recognized and practiced in America, it will be interesting to see how the children create, research and organize their data.

An option would be to limit the research to the largest religious groups in America (these may include, Christianity, Nonreligious/nonsecular, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism.)

Provide resources and discuss ideas they may use for creating their graphs. Ideas may include: largest religious group in America; largest religious groups in the world; the different branches of Christianity; the central beliefs of various religions; religious holidays and books of worship.

After the children make the graphs, save time for classroom discussions and interpretations.

Online Resources

Religion and Ethics News Weekly:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics

PBS Teachers Thematic Teaching - World Religions:
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/thismonth/worldreligion/index.html

Religions of the World:
http://library.thinkquest.org/28505/articles.html?tqskip1=1

Adherents.com:
http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html#religions

The Pluralism Project:
http://www.pluralism.org/

Print Resources

The Kingfisher Book of Religions: Festivals, Ceremonies, and Beliefs from Around the World by Trevor Barnes
The Kids Book of World Religionsby Jennifer Glossop and John Mantha
More Recommended Resources
The First Amendment: The Power of Words

Grade Levels: 3-5
Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts

Before presenting the Bill of Rights for "interpretation," begin with the school handbook. Pass out copies of your school handbook and give the children time to familiarize themselves with the document. Choose a particular section to "interpret."

Begin by asking the children why a school may decide to include or create certain rules and regulations. Discuss the content of the handbook. For example, who wrote the handbook? When was the handbook written? Can it be changed? How does one go about making a change to the handbook? What happens if people don't follow the handbook recommendations? What would happen to the school if people didn't respect this document? Ask if there are other ways to interpret the handbook. Perhaps, you want designate certain sections to the children and have them re-write the content in their own words.

Once they become familiar with a document such as the school handbook, then they will be ready to "tackle" the Bill of Rights, or at least, the First Amendment.

Use the same process and similar questioning format to discuss the Bill of Rights. Then move into the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Depending on your students, you can make interpretations in whole group format or designate certain parts to small groups. This may also lead into lessons related to vocabulary and dictionary skills.

Online Resources

NOW with Bill Moyers - 21st Century Faith:
http://www.pbs.org/now/society/faith.html

White House for Kids:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/presidents/

Time For Kids - Free Speech:
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/magazines/story/ ...

Religious Freedom:
http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/rights.html

First Amendment Center:
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/default.aspx

Print Resources

The Bill of Rights (True Books: Government) by Patricia Ryon Quiri
Declaring Freedom: A Look at the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution (How Government Works) by Alyse Sweeney
The Bill of Rights: The First Ten Amendments of the Constitution (Constitution) by Alyse Sweeney
More Recommended Resources
Making Headlines with Religious Leaders

Grade Level: 3-5
Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts; Science & Technology

Reading the newspaper is a great habit to get your students in while they are young. Begin this lesson by discussing the purpose of a newspaper, the different sections in the newspaper, and content. Bring in newspapers and have students bring in newspapers as well. Show them newspapers online.

Next, assess their knowledge to see how many religious leaders they can name. If this list is small, add names of various religious leaders. One way to keep this activity in perspective, is to introduce leaders who influenced the major religions. This list would include: Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Ghandi and Moses. Providing other names such as Anne Hutchinson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Dalai Lama and Mother Theresa will take the lesson in different directions. Leave it up to your students.

Providing some resources and give the child the assignment of writing a newspaper article on the religious leader of their choice. As a group, create criteria. Together decide what should be included in the article (i.e., when were they born, what was their greatest achievements, obstacles they encountered, their beliefs etc...).

Online Resources

Muhammad - Legacy of a Prophet:
http://www.pbs.org/muhammad/

Frontline - From Jesus to Christ:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/

Adherents.com:
http://www.adherents.com/adh_leaders.html

Print Resources

Gandhi: India's Great Soul (Spiritual Biographies for Young Readers) by Maura D. Shaw and Stephen Marchesi
Muhammad by Demi and Laleh Bakhtiar
Buddha by Demi
More Recommended Resources
One World, Many Religions

Grade Level: 3-5
Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts; The Arts

This can be a great activity to use for an assembly or an end of unit culmination. In this activity the students will take information they learned about religions in America and/or research new information to help create short stories or mini skits. The stories or skits will help children recognize, appreciate, and tolerate religious differences in their peers.

There are many ways of creating the short stories or skits for this activity. One interesting angle includes acting out a small skit in which a new child starts school, but doesn't practice the same religion. Together brainstorm and discuss different scenarios and solutions that may occur for this child and the other children. (Perhaps, she/he isn't invited to a birthday party because of his/her religious beliefs. Perhaps the new child can't go on a field trip because it coincides with a religous holiday and he/she must attend religious services. Another skit could center around observing the new child coming out of a mosque or synagogue.) Make sure children present the problem along with the solution. Encourage them to include the feelings from both sides.

There are so many different situations that could arise. Give the children guidance, but truly have stories, problems and solutions come from them. Once they had time to write, practice and rehearse, let them share their skits or stories. Remind them to take comments and questions from their audience.

Online Resources

Global Connections - Three Religions, One God:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/themes/religion/

International Association Of Religious Freedom:
http://www.iarf.net/YoungAdults/youngadults.htm

Awesome Library - Religions:
http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Classroom/Social_Studies/ ...

Print Resources

One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship by Mary Pope Osborne
The Kids Book of World Religions by Jennifer Glossop and John Mantha
More Recommended Resources
One Nation Under God?

Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts

For most American schoolchildren, saying the "Pledge of Allegiance" at the beginning of each school day was part of the routine. Over the past few years, the pledge has become the center of legal controversy based on the Constitution. Because the words "under God" appear in the pledge, some see this as a violation of the separation of church and state as ordered by the Constitution. Recent lawsuits related to the "Pledge of Allegiance" and the subsequent decisions reached by judges in these lawsuits continue to cause people to question if we have gone too far with the separation of church and state or not far enough.

Have students work individually or in pairs to research the Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow case to learn about the Constitutional issues related to the "Pledge of Allegiance." Students should find the answers to questions such as:
- Why did Newdow object to the reciting of the pledge in school?
- How did Newdow feel his Constitutional rights were being violated?
- What does the U.S. Constitution say about the separation of church and state?
- What does the separation of church and state really mean?
- How did the various courts rule in this case?
- What were the reasons for the rulings made by these courts?
- What Constitutional laws were cited in the rulings?
Once students have completed their background research, as a class, discuss what was learned from conducting research about the Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow case. Record factual information on the board or overhead for all students to see.

Next, facilitate a class debate about the final decision reached by the U.S. Supreme Court. Discuss why some students might agree with the ruling while other students might disagree. Encourage students to cite specific Constitutional arguments and provide examples to illustrate their point.

Close the activity by having each student write his/her own ruling on the case based on the Constitutional arguments they researched, learned about, and discussed in class.

Online Resources

Religion and Ethics Newsweekly - Pledge of Allegiance Supreme Court Case:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week726/cover.html

NOW with Bill Moyers - Freedom of Religion Quiz:
http://www.pbs.org/now/quiz/quiz2.html

NOW with Bill Moyers - Faith in America: The Legal Dilemma:
http://www.pbs.org/now/society/religionstats2.html

NOW with Bill Moyers - God and Government: Separating Church and State:
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/churchandstate.html

Flashpoints USA - Religion and the Law:
http://www.pbs.org/flashpointsusa/20040127/infocus/topic_02/

History of the Pledge of Allegiance:
http://www.historyofthepledge.com/news.html

U.S. Constitution.net:
http://www.usconstitution.net
More Recommended Resources
Religious Freedom: Not a Worldwide Human Right

Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts

The U.S. Constitution guarantees Americans the right to religious freedom. Time and again this right has been upheld by the American judicial system. Because of this, many of us take this right for granted while others around the world are imprisoned, tortured, and even killed simply because of their religious beliefs and practices.

Facilitate a short class discussion to see what students already know about religious persecution and the lack of religion as a human right worldwide. Encourage students to provide examples of religious intolerance and the lack of religion as a human right. In the discussion, include questions such as:
- Why would a government NOT allow freedom of religion?
- What are the negative effects people can suffer from being denied freedom of religion as a basic human right?
- How would you feel if you lived in a country where the freedom to choose religion and participation in religious activities was not allowed?
Introduce students to the International Religious Freedom Report and summarize the type of information it contains. This could be done in the form of a handout or by displaying the site in a computer lab or on a projection screen for all to see. Explain that part of the report describes "countries of particular concern" where lack of religious freedom as a human right is commonplace. Working in pairs, have students randomly select a country from the following list and conduct research about the status of religion as a human right. Students should prepare a short presentation/project about their country describing:
- where it is located geographically
- the type of government leadership it has
- what religion(s), if any, are allowed and supported by the government
- what happens to people who disobey the government in terms of their religious choices, affiliations, and activities
- what the international community is doing to try to change the status of religious freedom in this country
Countries to choose from could include but are not limited to: China, North Korea, Burma, Iran, Sudan, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cuba, Laos, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

All groups should present their project to the class in order to inform others about the status of religion as a human right. Using a world map, pinpoint/mark the countries profiled in each presentation so students can see how widespread the lack of religious freedom is in the world.

Conclude the assignment by having students write an opinion essay about their views on religious freedom as a human right. Encourage them to cite examples from their own research as well as what they learned from other groups of presenters.

Online Resources

Online Newshour - Nigeria in Transition:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/africa/nigeria/religion.html

Online Newshour - Shiite Pilgrimage to Karbala:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/shiites_04-22-03.html

Frontline World:
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/

U.S. Department of State - International Religious Freedom Report:
http://usinfo.state.gov/dhr/Archive/2004/Sep/15-604338.html

Executive Summary of the International Religious Freedom Report:
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2004/35335.htm

Center for Religious Freedom:
http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion/

Amnesty International:
http://www.amnesty.org
More Recommended Resources
The American Melting Pot: Religious Diversity in America

Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts

In a nation as diverse as the United States, religions abound because of the freedom of religion guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. A number of religions - Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc. - are practiced nationwide. In part, the American melting pot was created because of religious freedom, beginning with the settlement of the colonies over 300 years ago. Those suffering religious persecution set out for America in search of the freedom to practice their beliefs. This still holds true today.

Begin by discussing the idea that one of the things that makes America a great country is its diversity. Using the melting pot analogy, discuss what has brought people to this country over time being sure to include the pursuit of religious freedom and tolerance of a variety of religious beliefs.

Next, show students the "American Faith Statistics" graphic, which illustrates some of the most popular religions practiced in the U.S. Take time to discuss the terms Christianity and Non-secular. Point out that a number of common religions would be placed under the label Christianity.

Next, have students brainstorm a list of as many religions as they can name. Assist students with development of the list as needed. Once the list is complete, have students work individually or in pairs to conduct research about one of the religions on the list based on random assignment. Be sure to limit the number of religions that could be placed in the Christianity category so that students will learn about a wider variety of religious beliefs.

While researching, students should find the answers to questions such as:
- What is the name of the religion?
- Where did the religion originate?
- Who was the founder of this religion?
- What are the basic beliefs associated with this religion?
- Who are some important leaders or figures within this religion?
- What are some of the important celebrations associated with this religion?
- What are the symbols and/or books associated with this religion?
All information gathered should be basic, factual information about the religion.

Once research is completed, students should make a display or poster that describes what they have learned about the religion they researched. In addition, they should explain how the Constitution's guarantee of religious freedom helped to bring this religion to America so it could be practiced freely.

Extend the lesson by asking students to discuss how we benefit individually, and as a nation, from having religious freedom, tolerance, and diversity in our country.

Online Resources

NOW with Bill Moyers - God and Government:
http://www.pbs.org/now/society/faithstats.html

Frontline - Our Religions, Our Neighbors, Our Selves:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/faith/neighbors/

Adherents.com - 41,000 adherent statistics and religious geography citations:
http://www.adherents.com/index.html#GroupNameIndex

Life in the USA: Religion in America:
http://www.lifeintheusa.com/religion/

Print Resources

The Religious History of America: The Heart of the American Story from Colonial Times to Today by Edwin S. Gaustad and Leigh Schmidt
Religion in America, Seventh Edition by John Corrigan, Winthrop S. Hudson, John S. Corrigan
More Recommended Resources
Religious Rights: A Matter of Life and Death

Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
Subjects: Social Studies; Reading & Language Arts

The U.S. Constitution provides all Americans with the right to religious freedom and allows people to practice the religion of their choice. While this is usually not a point of contention, there are times when a person's religious rights can be challenged. When religion becomes a matter of life and death, there are many people who feel that religious beliefs can and should be restricted. For example, a number of religions rely only on the power of prayer and church sanctioned "healers" and do not allow the use of medicine or visits to doctors, even for lifesaving treatment.

Share with or have students research information about how the right to freedom of religion is handled in relation to providing compulsory medical treatment in their state or area. Some ideas to discuss could include:
- Are immunizations and/or physical examinations required for children to attend school, even if parents object on religious grounds?
- Do all newborns have to receive customary metabolic testing, prophylactic eyedrops, hearing tests, and Vitamin K injections?
- Are there exemptions to the child abuse and neglect codes based on religion?
- If lifesaving treatment must be rendered in order to save a child's life, will Child Protective Services be allowed to intervene, and to what degree?
Using resources below, cite examples of situations where children have failed to receive appropriate medical treatment and have died. Review what penalties, if any, were faced by the parents.

Conduct a class discussion/debate about whether or not students believe parents have the right to deny medical treatment because of religious beliefs. Have students provide arguments based on their own opinions and supported by specific reasons, facts, and examples, from the Constitution, when appropriate.

Close the activity by having students create a persuasive project illustrating their opinion. This could take the form of a poster, bumper sticker, letter to the editor/editorial, persuasive speech or essay, or public service announcement. Have students share their projects with the class.

Online Resources

Children's Health: Religious Exemptions From Health Care For Children:
http://www.childrenshealthcare.org/

Children's Health: List of Religions That Withhold Medical Care for Children:
http://www.childrenshealthcare.org/question.htm

Children's Health - Religious Tolerance: Faith Healing -- Legal Aspects:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/medical1.htm
More Recommended Resources
Imagine: No Freedom to Worship

Grade Level: 6-8; 9-12
Subjects: Reading & Language Arts; The Arts; Social Studies

The U.S. Constitution guarantees American citizens an array of rights that allow people of many different origins, beliefs, and races to co-exist peacefully in a democratic state. Without the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, we might not enjoy the human rights that we often take for granted in our society today.

Facilitate a short discussion about the Bill of Rights. Ask students to list the freedoms we enjoy because of this document. Record these freedoms on the board. Refer to the Constitution at http://www.usconstitution.net for additional information.

Next, focus on the freedom of religion. Ask students to identify examples, historical and modern day, of people fighting for the right to practice religion freely. Assist students as needed with developing this list.

Ask students to imagine what life in the U.S. might be like if religious freedom was not protected by the Constitution. Have students create a work of fiction, a poem or play, a song, a collage, a piece of artwork, or some other work illustrating the impact of not having freedom of religion as a basic human right.

Once projects have been completed, have students share their work with the class, explaining how their project shows the impact of losing a basic human right such as freedom of religion. Post projects around the school or classroom to increase awareness about the importance of all people having this human right.

Online Resources

The Pluralism Project:
http://www.pluralism.org/

Center for Religious Freedom:
http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion/
More Recommended Resources

Published: December 2004

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Thematic Teaching

religious diversity: activity ideas

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