Quadra Learns About World Religions

QUADRA LEARNS ABOUT WORLD RELIGIONS…..

In the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms we have the Freedom of Religion as well as the fundamental Freedom and Right of Multiculturalism.

In the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child we have the rights to ….

- Choose your own religion and beliefs (Article 14)

- Your education should help you use and develop your talents and abilities. It should also help you learn to live peacefully, protect the environment, and respect other people (Article 29)

- Practice your own culture, language and religion- or any that you choose. Minority and indigenous groups need special protection of this right (article 30)

- You have the right to find out things and share what you think with others, by talking, drawing, wiring or in any other way unless it harms or offends others (article 13)

As a team, we came up with some very important reasons why we want to learn about World Religions that can be summarized as:

- To learn about our own culture and the culture of others so that we better understand history, traditions, holidays, beliefs and practices of ourselves and others so we don’t offend, stereotype or trample rights of others

- To learn how religion influences civilization and impacts history

- To explore a religion that interests you ;maybe find a new religion, or better understand your own

- It’s cool to learn about what people think about the world and what their views are

Some big questions we have are:

- If we didn’t have religion what would the world be like?

- Why can’t everyone just accept each other’s religions? Why so much conflict/ stereotypes/ ignorance, etc.?

- What are the origins of religions? What is the purpose? What are the benefits of religions?

- What conflicts have been started by religion? Why do some people take religion to the extreme i.e. terrorism

- What are the beliefs, symbols, holidays, leaders, etc. for different religions?

- What is the same and what is different between various religions?

- How has the world been shaped by religion? Learning about Religions IS…. Learning about Religions IS NOT….  Learning about cultures  Putting other people down, offending  Analyzing the meaning of different aspects others, and disrespecting others’ customs of religion  Converting or recruiting people into a  Understanding the conflicts and particular religion agreements between religions  Using stereotypes to define people  Acknowledging and respecting other  Determining what the “best” religion is or religions and beliefs ranking them  Learning and understanding about  Prejudging against people who are “not different practices and beliefs like our own”  Discussing opinions  Based on beliefs/opinions  Learning about current and historical  Always about believing what others events that are influenced by religions believe or having the same opinions  Learning about how to prevent future  Being biased about a religion conflicts  Understanding other people and expanding our knowledge of the unknown  Based on facts  Learning and understanding how various religions are connected

Part a) Explore Religions and choose one to learn more deeply about. You can use the books, articles, websites, and background knowledge to help you decide on one world religion to explore more deeply. Keep in mind issues such as how easy or difficult it will be to gather information and research about that religion. What school resources are available? What trustworthy internet sites are available? Who could you interview for first-hand research?

As a class, we have decided that it is up to each individual to choose the religion they would like to study, regardless of whether they practice it or not. You may work in groups of 1-4, mixed between advisories.

Part b) Use independent learning time to gather information; including first hand research. You will have at least 3 blocks of learning time per week and you are able to use additional independent learning time as well. There is an expectation that you will conduct first hand research either by interviewing a person who leads or practices the religion you are learning about or by visiting a place of worship or a place of significance for the religion you are learning about.

Part c) Share out our learning with each other on Wednesday November 6. We would like to have a Religion Learning Fair where we can share out our learning with the school community, as well as our peers on Team Quadra. You have the choice of how you would like to present out your learning (games, digital options – video, powerpoint, website, etc).

My method of presentation is ______.

My partner(s) is/ are: ______

(exchange e-mail and phone numbers so you can collaborate from home if needed!)

Criteria for showing my religion include (this is what the team came up with on Weds Sept 25):  Include a timeline of major events

 Your presentation should be engaging and present out key information about your religion: origin, key beliefs, key symbols, influential people, holy books/writing, important dates, religion today between several religions

 Be creative on your method of presentation: how can you share your learning in a fun and interactive way that clearly communicates all important information?

 Bibliography

Part d) Learn from each other about the religions others presented on. Compare and contrast several religions with the one you learned more deeply about. Details to be worked out as a team.

Part e) Final Quiz/ self-evaluation. (TBA)