Lesson Plans

Back to Homepage Lesson Plans by Grade Level Music Children's Literature Links to Other Websites

Religion and Fundamentalism   <>Objectives: Students will understand the differences and similarities between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism using a handout containing a diagram.  They will also learn what fundamentalism is, and how it is different from the original intentions of different religions. <>  Advance organizer: Select two students from the class and designate one student as a Chicago White Sox fan and another as a Chicago Cubs fan.  Explain how the two students feel that their way of thinking is the only right way, and that they hate each other because they like different teams.  Ask the students what they know about the White Sox fan and the Cubs fan that goes beyond their favorite baseball team.  Highlight the similarities between the two students (both enjoy baseball, both passionate about their team) and then define fundamentalism and explain that it is different from Islam.  <> Methods: Class is given a handout that has outlined the major tenants of a religion.  Divide the class into three groups and have each group search for the answers for each section using World Religions by John Westerdale Bowker.  Each group will be responsible for one of the following: Islam, Christianity, or Judaism. <>  Concepts Taught: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are very similar to one another.  Fundamentalists in any religion take the sacred text of that religion as the literal truth, which is why they differ from the majority of their religion.  The terrorists from 9/11 were fundamentalists, and did not speak for the entire Islamic religion by their actions.  Student will gain a better understanding of the Islamic faith and will become more tolerant of the religion. <>  Resources: World Religions by John Westerdale Bowker; whiteboard, dry erase marker <>  Assessment: Collect completed worksheets for points; facilitate class discussion to gauge the students’ understanding of the concepts. <>  Closure: Summarize the comparisons between the three religions and fundamentalism <>  Evaluation of lesson: This lesson would be a good approach to explaining the role of fundamentalism in the events of September 11, 2001. <>  Standards Addressed: 1.A.3b Analyze the meanings of words and phrases in their context; 1.B.3a Preview reading materials, make predictions, and relate reading to other reading materials; 1.B.3b Identify text structure and make a visual representation to use while reading; 1.B.3d  Read age-appropriate material with fluency and accuracy; 1.C.3c Compare, contrast, and evaluate ideas and information from various sources and genres