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 Religion, Culture, and Diversity
In this lesson plan, students explore some of the tensions associated with religious and cultural differences, learn more about various religions and share their own religious traditions. Read More
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 Altruism: Meeting Society's Needs
In this upper elementary-level lesson, students explore the meaning of altruism and the bonds that are created when people take care of each other. Read More
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Homeless in America
In this lesson plan, students develop an understanding of what it means to be homeless and why people become homeless. As a culminating activity, students examine different methods of helping the homeless and then select one to carry out. Read More
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Living with Special Needs
In this lesson plan, students become more aware of people with disabilities: their needs, the obstacles they face, and the role of the community in supporting them and honoring their strengths. As a culminating activity, students organize an awareness event. Read More
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| Middle School: |
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Service Learning: Gaining Knowledge Through Giving New!
Many factors motivate people to "do good" for others or to rally behind a cause. Service, such as volunteering, is common and considered valuable to all involved. Such service also raises philosophical questions. Is "doing good" a personal choice or does it emerge from a moral, spiritual, or civic responsibility? What drives altruism? Does altruism always drive service? Beyond a sense of fulfillment, what does service bring to the "doer"? What does service teach? Read More
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On Being Hindu ... and American New!
There are about two million Hindus of Indian origin living in the United States. Many have been here for a long time. There are accomplishments in "acculturation" and some challenges too, particularly as younger generations of Hindu Americans become more Americanized and removed from their ethnic and religious origins. In this lesson, students explore how Indian Hindus have adjusted to the United States and the impact of this accommodation. Read More
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Resistance to Parents
In this lesson, students will consider instances in which it is reasonable for children to oppose the demands of their parents. They will discuss requests that could put children at risk of physical or emotional injury, and they will recognize instances in which a parent's demands may be read as abusive. Read More
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Dishonesty
In this lesson, students will examine the pros and cons of honesty and dishonesty. They will consider whether some lies are acceptable and ethical or dishonesty should be avoided at all costs. Students will discover the most common types of lies told among their peers and the reasoning behind them. Read More
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Religion, Culture, and Diversity
In this lesson plan, students explore some of the tensions associated with religious and cultural differences, learn more about various religions and share their own religious traditions. Read More
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Faith-Based Initiatives: Separation of Church and State
In this lesson, students explore the complex territory where church and state intersect. They frame their own questions about the Bush administration's stance regarding faith-based initiatives and charitable choice, and they examine the recent issue of the Ten Commandments monument placed in front of an Alabama courthouse. Read More
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Bioethics: Where the Future May Take Us
In this unit, students explore the promise and the perils of cloning, brain imaging technology, and other high-tech medical care. Read More
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Traditions and Transformations
How do religious traditions endure or transform over time? In this lesson plan, middle school students learn about Jewish culture as a living, changing tradition and relate it to traditions in their own life. Read More
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The Death Penalty
Is the death penalty a just and ethical form of punishment? Students explore the controversy surrounding capital punishment, consider different viewpoints from religious leaders and communities, and work on developing and supporting their own positions on the issue. Read More
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Religion in Public Schools
Students will explore the controversy surrounding religion in the public schools by conducting research and examining different points of view. In particular, students will investigate the issue of whether public schools should provide time and space for individuals or groups to celebrate or observe religious beliefs. Read More
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War and Religion
Students consider the question of whether the War on Terrorism is a justifiable and appropriate response to recent tragic events. They research the positions of various religious leaders and communities and investigate what major world religions say about pacifism versus war. Read More
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| High School: |
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Illness and Treatment: Ethics and the World of Medicine New!
Medical decision making is complex, wrought with personal, professional, societal, institutional, and, most of all, ethical implications. One tremendous challenge for medical professionals, policy makers, patients, and caregivers is negotiating the ethics of a situation, which can range from participating in a clinical trial to considering whether to prolong someone's life. The choices are not easily made. Read More
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Service Learning: Gaining Knowledge Through Giving New!
Many factors motivate people to "do good" for others or to rally behind a cause. Service, such as volunteering, is common and considered valuable to all involved. Such service also raises philosophical questions. Is "doing good" a personal choice or does it emerge from a moral, spiritual, or civic responsibility? What drives altruism? Does altruism always drive service? Beyond a sense of fulfillment, what does service bring to the "doer"? What does service teach? Read More
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Opening Communication Lines: Interfaith Dialogue New!
In a world torn by religious violence, and in America, where there is terrific religious diversity, is it possible for varied faith communities to come together to discuss commonalties and differences? Would interfaith dialogue diminish or even eliminate the gaps -- and the conflict -- among them? And, should such dialogue be at least a step in building bridges, what processes might be involved in setting up and ensuring successful, long-term interaction? Read More
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The Sunni/Shia Split in Iraq: What Does the Future Hold? New!
The rift between the Sunnis and Shiites is over 1,300 years old. Despite the factions' shared beliefs, their differences are great enough to sustain an ongoing sectarian schism. The conflict between the groups has particularly escalated in Iraq -- a situation likely attributable to a number of factors -- where Sunni-Shia violence is constant and seemingly unrelenting. Read More
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Recreating Marriage: The Same-Sex Union Debate
What are the visions typically associated with marriage? Happy couples composed of a man and a woman -- well, at least, from a traditional perspective. These days, same-sex marriage has greatly altered that view, as well as created significant and substantive social, religious and legal debate. Read More
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Spirit and Nature
Is the environment a religious issue? Across many religious faiths, nature's beauty and value are embraced. Sacred texts speak to the miracle of earth's creation and bounty and to the ways humanity both benefits from and needs to protect its riches. Read More
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Religion and the Civil Rights Movement
Many of the most prominent figures of the civil rights movement drew their motivation to fight for freedom and equality from their religious faith. Powered by the belief that all men and women are children of God, they set forth to assure that justice, fair treatment, and equal opportunity were awarded to people of all races, cultural backgrounds, and religious faiths. Read More
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Rites of Passage
In this lesson, students explore various traditional children's and adolescent faith-based rites of passage. They examine modern coming of age ceremonies - ones that are more secular in nature - and create a rite of passage that best reflects their personal life journeys. Read More
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Death and Dying
It is likely that some students have had the misfortune of losing a grandparent, parent, sibling, or even a friend at a very young age. Read More
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Evolution vs. Intelligent Design
In this lesson, students will explore the ways the arguments surrounding evolution versus intelligent design have affected relationships among people of different religious backgrounds. Read More
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Internet and Right-to-Privacy Issues
In this lesson, students will explore right-to-privacy issues related to Internet use. They will take a close look at the privacy policies that exist on their favorite websites, and they will identify the ways these policies protect their personal information. Read More
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Branding and Marketing Religion
In this lesson, students examine the outreach strategies and tools some religious entities use to meet their participants' spiritual needs and to recruit and retain new members. They examine and assess the role of new technologies and marketing ideas being used to promote religion. Read More
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Ethical Issues Around Cell Phone Use
In this lesson, students will consider the ways they use cell phones at school, in public, and in their private life, and they will complete activities that allow them to discover how cell phone usage affects those around them. Read More
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Living the "Good" Life
In this lesson, student explore the core of their happiness, pleasure, peace and life purpose, while learning about individuals who repurposed their lives in ways that bring them great happiness and meaning. Read More
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Religion and Immigration: Muslims in the United States and Europe
In this lesson, students will examine the connection between religion and immigration as they explore the Muslim immigrant experience in the United States and Europe. They will begin by discussing the role that religion plays in the integration of new immigrants. Read More
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Religion and Peace
In this lesson, students examine what and who drives various peacemaking efforts, as well as the nature and impact of those efforts. Students choose from several culminating project-based activities that invite them to apply and/or further their knowledge of peacemaking. Read More
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Trafficking in Humans
In this lesson, students will explore the grim reality of human trafficking. They will define human trafficking and examine how people might be led by their desperation for a better life into a world of slavery. Read More
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Interpreting Women in Islam
The lesson will help students understand the complicated role of women in Islam and become familiar with the current movement by "progressive" Muslim women to gain more access to the mosque. Read More
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Religion and Politics: The Battle Over the Judiciary
In this lesson students will explore how particular religious blocs voted in the 2004 presidential election and how the hopes and/or expectations of these religious voters are impacting the second term of George W. Bush. Read More
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Politics of Death: The Right to Live, the Right to Die
This lesson looks at end-of-life issues and examines the political and religious forces behind the decision to let a person live or die. Read More
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Immigration: U.S. Policy in the New Millennium
What rights can immigrants to the U.S. expect? In this lesson, students will explore the complex ethical and policy questions of immigration in the post-9/11 U.S. Read More
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AIDS: Responding to a Health Crisis
In this lesson, students discover how the attitudes and values of different cultures affect their approaches to treating HIV and AIDS. Read More
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Islam and Terrorism
Students will explore the teachings and values of Islam and of the Muslim community in their own area. Through research and exposure to members of the Muslim community, students will understand how the teachings and values of Islam have been used by terrorists for their own political purposes. Read More
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Stem Cell Research
Students gain an understanding of the controversy surrounding stem cell research, exploring the positions taken by religious leaders and communities, as well as by those in the medical profession. Students will weigh ethical concerns against prospects for medical advance, and gather information to aid in the development of their own position on the issue. Read More
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Muslim-Hindu Conflict in India
Students investigate the causes and consequences of the deep-rooted conflict between Muslims and Hindus in India -- particularly in the province of Gujarat. Students will consider the larger questions of whether religious beliefs can ever legitimize violence or whether religious conflict is an inevitable human experience. Read More
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| Media-rich lesson plans from NTTI featuring Religion & Ethics: |
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Social Studies
Using Radioactive Decay and Primary Sources to Date the Shroud of Turin. Read More
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Science
Examining War and Morality. Read More
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| Lesson plans from Thirteen Ed Online: |
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Social Studies
Politics and Religion: Targeting Faith When It Counts. (Grades 9-12) Read More
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