http://www.create.cett.msstate.edu/create/classroom/lp lan_view.asp?

articleID=168#handout1 Five Major World Religions

Subject Area: Social Studies Grade Level(s): 7 Duration of Activity: 2 days Description of Activity: This activity allows students to research and identify various aspects of five major world religions including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Students will use the World Wide Web to conduct research, recording their findings in Microsoft Word tables. Objectives:

y y y y

Students will become more familiar with some of the religions of the world and their important teachings. Students will improve their computer skills by using the World Wide Web for research and recording specific information in word-processing tables using Handout 1: Five Major World Religions. This table is saved as a template to each student computer. Students will insert clip art symbols of world religions into the table using Handout 2: Inserting Clip Art from Microsoft Clipart Organizer Directions. Students will use Handout 3: World Religions Table Checklist as a personal assessment tool prior to printing their completed tables.

Materials/Equipment: Computers with Internet access Floppy disks Printer Handout 1: Five Major World Religions (template file) Handout 2: Inserting Clip Art from Microsoft Clipart Organizer Handout 3: World Religions Table Checklist

y y y y y y

Prerequisites (skills or background needed): Basic skill in locating Web sites using URLs Ability to locate information on a individual Web sites Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word or other word-processing software

y y y

Procedure Teacher Component: The teacher will 1. save Handout 1: World Religions Table as a template file on the students computers or a networked server before class. 2. ask students prior knowledge by asking them to share what they know most religions have in common. 3. divide the class into cooperative groups of mixed abilities. Group size will be determined by the number of available computers. Groups of 2-3 students are suggested. 4. display a printout of Handout 1: World Religions Table and explain to students how to complete this activity. 5. instruct students to open Microsoft Word or other available word-processing software and request a new document in order to have the option of opening the template file, Handout 1: Five Major World Religions. 6. distribute one floppy diskette to each group and instruct students to insert the diskette into Drive A. 7. guide students in renaming the template file and saving it to Drive A under a new file name. 8. instruct students to use the World Wide Web and other resources to find the information that is necessary to fill in each portion of the table, Handout 1: World Religions Chart. 9. assist students as they learn to "toggle" between their table file and the Web sites using the Alt+Tab keys simultaneously or by clicking on the appropriate minimized file or program button located on the Taskbar. 10. assist groups in researching and entering the information needed to complete the table.

11. instruct students to use Handout 2: Inserting Clip Art from Microsoft Clipart Organizer so that the students will know how to insert clip art wherever needed on the table. 12. distribute Handout 3: World Religions Table Checklist to allow students to check all information that is included on the table to make sure that they have completed and done everything needed before the chart is printed. 13. assist students as they save the completed table to floppy disks and print out their work. Student Activities: The student will 1. 2. participate in a discussion and share their knowledge of five major world religions. open Microsoft Word or other available word-processing software. Request a new document in order to open the template file, Handout 1: Five Major World Religions. Rename this file and save it to the floppy disk in Drive A. work in cooperative groups and use the World Wide Web and text resources to research various aspects of five major world religions and record this information in a digital table, Handout 1: World Religions Table. learn to "toggle" between their table file and the Web sites using the Alt+Tab keys simultaneously or by clicking on the appropriate minimized file or program button located on the Taskbar. remember to save often as well as when the table is completed. utilize Handout 2: Inserting Clip Art from Microsoft Clipart Organizer directions to insert clip art where needed on the table. use Handout 3: World Religions Table Checklist to make sure that all necessary information is included in the table. save each groups World Religions Table on the teachers computer or separate floppy disks for evaluation. print a hard copy of each groups World Religions Table for each group member.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Accommodations: Divide the class into groups with mixed abilities so that the students with limited technology skills may work with other students to find the information.

Extension Activities: Students could use Microsoft Word to type individual compositions on the topic of respect for religious freedom and the right to choose ones religion. Students could create a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation relating to the five major world religions that they researched during the lesson activities.

y y

Integration: Social Studies Language Arts Technology

y y y

Assessments: 1. URLs: Handout 3: World Religions Table Checklist

y y y y y y y

Major World Religions http://www.omsakthi.org/religions.html World Religions http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1699/ Religions of the World http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/index.html Major Religions Ranked by Size http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html The Worlds Major Religions and Belief Systems http://www.cftech.com/BrainBank/OTHERREFERENCE/RELIGION/MajorReligion.html World Religions Index: Table 2 http://wri.leaderu.com/wri-table2/table2.html Major Religions of the World http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0113529.html

Curriculum Frameworks

Mississippi: Seventh Grade 1. Examine characteristics and development of various societies in the Eastern Hemisphere prior to 1750 (H). b. Analyze various Eastern cultures: Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Islands of the Pacific (e.g. religion, language, customs, contributions, etc.)

2.

Apply spatial and ecological perspectives to people, places, and environment using social studies tools (e.g., timelines, maps, globes, resources, graphs, a compass, technology, etc.) (H, G, E) e. Map the development and spread of religions in the Eastern Hemisphere (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc.) Analyze information using social studies tools (e.g., graphs, maps, charts, tables, etc).

k.

National Educational Technology Standards (NETS): 8. Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems. (5, 6)

TerraNova: 26 Geographic Perspectives (Level 11-21/22) Demonstrate an understanding of concepts and process skills related to the study of the worlds people, places, and environments, and their interactions overtime. Construct answers, use geographic tools, and create solutions or products using inquiry skills and knowledge related to geographic perspectives. Link and Feedback to Author(s): Tomeka S. Brown, Coleman Middle School, Greenville, MS