Speak Truth to Power
Dalai Lama: Free Expression and Religion
How is religious freedom connected to the conflict between China and Tibet? After reading an online passage of background information, your learners will divide into groups and both read and view an interview with the Dalai Lama. They...
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Thanksgiving 1—Pilgrims and American Indians
The Pilgrims first arrived in America in order to gain religious freedom. Here is a lesson plan that takes the class on this journey with the Pilgrims, stopping to look at how they got here, who they met when they arrived, and a peek...
American Documentary
Comparative Religion Investigation: What Happens When We Die?
How do different religions offer explanations for what happens when we die? Invite your learners to consider the variance and complexity of religious beliefs, and to research and compare/contrast the concept of death and afterlife...
Curated OER
Ancient Aztecs
Is it a calendar? A religious symbol? A political statement? One thing for certain is that Aztec sun stone designs remain an important symbol in Mexican cultural art. Young artists craft their own Aztec Sun design incorporating ideas...
Curated OER
Understanding History Through Oracle Bone Study
Students study the Chinese characters and oracle bone inscriptions in order to understand the relevance of language to the reflection of cultural values. They examine the appearance of an oracle bone and the use of oracle bones in...
Curated OER
Focus of Native American Religious Practices
Here are five quick lessons you can use to introduce your class to religions from around the world. They view and perform a Native American dance, watch a video on Judaism, compare the difference between Catholics and Protestants, watch...
Curated OER
Religious Tolerance in Colonial Maryland
Students complete worksheets and analyze passages about religious tolerance in Colonial Maryland. In this religious tolerance lesson plan, students discuss Maryland as a colony and answer short answer questions about it.
Curated OER
Supreme court Decisions on Freedom of Religion
Eleventh graders analyze the limits and bounds of religious freedom issues in the United States through several Supreme Court case decisions.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Asian Islam and Arab Islam
Focus on the impact and practice of Islam throughout Asia and the Middle East. Learners review the seven major religions, the spread of Islam, and Islamic tenets commonly practiced. They then research one country that practices Islamic...
Curated OER
Maimonides' Eight Levels (Private-Religious)
Students examine the Eight Levels of Charity. For this philanthropy lesson, students investigate the levels of charity and create posters that help them achieve one of the eight levels of charity.
Curated OER
Keys to Growth in Christ
Young scholars explore ways to grow close to Jesus Christ. In this religious studies lesson, students read and analyze scripture from John, Matthew, and Romans. Young scholars then complete a KWLQ chart based on the readings and write...
Curated OER
Hinduism- Caste System Simulation
Students examine the Hindu caste system. In this religious studies lesson, students participate in a classroom simulation where they represent the castes of Hinduism and take part in a rebirth ceremony.
Curated OER
Tzedakah Begins at Home (Private-Religious)
Students learn about the eight levels of tzedakah or charitable giving. In this philanthropy lesson, students examine the eight levels of charitable giving that were developed by Rabbi Moses Maimonides. They participate in role play...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Kennewick Man: Science and Sacred Rights
"Have respect for the dead!" Scholars investigate how science and religion often clash. As they look into the laws of science and the laws of religion, the legal ramifications at the federal level of both play into an argument they...
Curated OER
A World of Special Celebrations
Brainstorm lists of celebrations with which your class are familiar. This lesson plan can be adapted to many different grade levels as they research ethnic and religious occasions/events celebrated by people around the world, and...
Curated OER
Historic Cemeteries: "History Written in Stone"
Students explore the history of their community through researching grave markers. They visit a local cemetary, partcipate in a cemetary scavenger hunt, conduct a survey for various graves, and write an essay describing their cemetary...
Curated OER
"Wedding Celebrations Around The World"
Ninth graders research the cultural implications of wedding celebrations around the world. They study wedding celebrations before creating world map on which they place an appropriately attired wedding couple on the country they studied....
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Thanksgiving 2—The Pilgrim Story and My Immigrant Story
The tradition of the First Thanksgiving is really a story of immigration. Connect the feelings and customs of the early Pilgrims to the experiences of the immigrants in your class with an introduction to the 13 colonies, the Mayflower,...
Curated OER
Travel Diary
Darwin kept a travel diary as he voyaged to South America, noting the politics, geography, cultures, animals, and interesting facts he encountered. Your class will do the same. Each student chooses a country to research and keep a five...
Curated OER
Byzantine Art: 5th century to 1453 AD
Art and architecture are great ways to help define historical periods and cultural norms. Take a critical look at the art of the Byzantine period as seen under Justinian rule. Iconography, vocabulary, religious, and political concepts...
Curated OER
Religious Dissent
Learners perform a readers theater about Anne Hutchinson and her religious dissent. In this religious dissent lesson plan, students re-enact her trial through the reader's theater.
Curated OER
Native Americn Religious Beliefs and Practices
Students research how religions are created and how they influence the way people live. They identify the religious beliefs and practices of the Inuit, Lakota, Apache, Navajo and Iroquois Native Americans. Students find the...
Curated OER
Making Sense of the Reformation in 1 Day
Ninth graders explore the events of the Protestant Reformation. in this religious denominations lesson, 9th graders use the provided graphic organizer to take notes on a PowerPoint presentation about the different beliefs withing...
Curated OER
The Five Pillars of Islam
In order to better understand Muslim civilization, culture, and politics one must first familiarize themselves on the 5 Pillars of Islam, ideas which dominate much of Muslim societal and cultural norms. Provide your learners with a...