Unit Standards, Goals, and Objectives

1) Objectives are appropriate and aligned with State Content

Standards, Literacy and Numeracy, 21st Century Skills. The standards
used were as follows...
2) Standards
Content: 3a. Discuss the historical development and impact of
major world religions and philosophies.
Literacy: Write clearly and coherently for a variety of purposes
and audiences.
21st Century Skills: Demonstrate Global and Cultural
Awareness
Goals
The goals for this unit are to objectively teach students about
major modern belief systems. To have students be respectful and open
minded as they learn about the historical development and impact, as
well as the basic tenants and principles of 5 major modern belief
systems. Students will be able to articulate through writing and
discourse their sentiments and acquired content knowledge
surrounding this unit.
Objectives
Day 1Objective 1: SWBAT discuss the overarching themes and
questions of the upcoming unit on the origins of modern belief
systems.
Success Criteria 1: Taking notes on the themes and
questions.
Objective 2: SWBAT synthesize research information and
use a planning page to create an essay.
Success Criteria 2: Essay

Objective 3: SWBAT read and write effectively for the

purpose of demonstrating appropriate communication skills.
Success Criteria 3: Essay

Day 2Objective 1: SWBAT discuss the overarching themes and

questions of Hinduism as well as the origins and spread of the religion
by taking notes on material.
Success Criteria 1: Quality notes and notebook check
Objective 2: SWBAT creatively write a journal entry by
using concepts from class by placing themselves in a given historical
scenario.
Success Criteria 2: Journals
Objective 3: SWBAT appreciate the arts, culture, and
humanities for the purpose of demonstrating global/cultural
awareness.
Success Criteria 3: Reincarnation Activity
Day 3Objective 1: SWBAT appreciate the arts, culture, and
humanities for the purpose of demonstrating global/cultural
awareness.
Success Criteria 1: Quality notes and notebook check
Objective 2: SWBAT creatively write a journal entry by
using concepts from class by placing themselves in a given historical
scenario.
Success Criteria 2: Journals
Objective 3: SWBAT interact effectively with and respect
the diversity of different cultures for the purpose of demonstrating
global/cultural awareness.
Success Criteria 3: Meditation Activity
Day 4Objective 1: SWBAT discuss the overarching themes and
questions of Judaism as well as the origins and spread of the religion by
completing a ticket out the door.
Success Criteria 1: TOD and Graphic Organizer

Objective 2: SWBAT creatively write a journal entry by

using concepts from class by placing themselves in a given historical
scenario.
Success Criteria 2: Journal
Objective 3: SWBAT recognize the interdependent nature
of our world for the purpose of developing global and cultural
awareness.
Success Criteria 3: Graphic Organizer

Day 5Objective 1: SWBAT discuss the overarching themes and

questions of Christianity as well as the origins and spread of the
religion by creating questions for the guest speaker.
Success Criteria 1: Written Questions for speaker
Objective 2: SWBAT creatively write a journal entry by
using concepts from class by placing themselves in a given historical
scenario.
Success Criteria 2: Journal
Objective 3: SWBAT interact effectively with and respect
the diversity of different individuals, groups, and cultures for the
purpose of being culturally/globally aware.
Success Criteria 3: Showing and offering respect to our
Guest Speaker
Day 6Objective 1: SWBAT discuss the overarching themes and
questions of Islam as well as the origins and spread of the religion by
doing a ticket out the door.
Success Criteria 1: TOD
Objective 2: SWBAT creatively write a journal entry by
using concepts from class by placing themselves in a given historical
scenario.
Success Criteria 2: Journal
Objective 3: SWBAT manage time effectively for the
purpose of exhibiting and building work ethic.
Success Criteria 3: Graphic Organizer and staying on
task during independent practice.

Day 7Objective 1: SWBAT synthesize content knowledge in a

variety of manners.
Success Criteria 1: Performance on Summative Exam
Objective 2: SWBAT write clearly and coherently for a
variety of purposes.
Success Criteria 2: Performance on Summative Exam
Objective 3: SWBAT display work ethic and responsibility
by studying for the exam for the purpose of building strong 21st
century skills.
Success Criteria 3: Performance on Summative Exam

Essential Questions
Overarching:
-What influence do these belief systems maintain and
command today?
-Why are belief systems necessary?
-How have these belief systems lasted the tests of time?
Topical:
-What similarities do Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam share?
-What connections can be made between these belief
systems?
-How have these belief systems changed over time?
Understandings
Overarching
-Students will understand the origins of major modern
belief systems.
-Students will understand the impact and influence of
these ancient belief systems upon modern society.
-Students will understand how these belief systems spread,
gained in popularity, and maintained influence over
centuries.
-Students will understand the basic principles of the 5
major belief systems
-Students will understand the connections and common
threads between the 5 major belief systems.