Download lesson 2 content centers

Content Centers
*** The content of each center is divided into
parts: ***
1. The Direction page
2. “The Basics”: a laminated page outlining the basic beliefs of that
particular religion.
3. A holiday/custom/traditions section comprised of representative
artifacts and their respective explanations.
4. The actual physical form of the holy text with explanation of the
text’s meaning and significance attached.
5. A Primary Source Analysis: a brief explanation of that particular
religion’s beliefs concerning the afterlife along with specific
passages from their holy text(s)
6. Map labeling activity section where students locate where the
three religions are located today. (Key must be included)
1. Directions: Use the resources on this
table to fill in the (Christianity /Islam/
Judaism) portion of your graphic
organizer.
2. The Basics:
a.)For Christianity:
There are two major sects of Christianity: Catholicism and Protestantism. A third
less common sect of Christianity is Eastern Orthodox which is popular in Eastern Europe
and Russia. Christianity centers on a belief in one God. The major figure of Christianity
is Jesus Christ, who Christians believe to be the son of God, and Savior. Another
important component of Christianity is the belief in the trinity: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit. In the trinity, each of the three parts is distinct, yet all are one. Important practices
in Christianity include: Prayer, Repentance, Praise and Worship, going regularly to their
place of worship: Church.
b.) For Islam:
There are two major sects of Islam: Sunni and Shi’a. Islam centers on a belief in
one God, refereed to as Allah. The major figure of Islam is Muhammad, who is
considered to be the major prophet of Islam. Important components of Islam are the five
pillars of Islam which note the importance of Confession of Faith, Prayer, Fasting,
Almsgiving, and a Pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca. Muslims must also pray five times a day:
day break, noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset, early in the night. Muslims pray facing
Mecca. Prayer can be done alone, or at an Islamic place of worship: A Mosque.
c.) For Judaism:
There are multiple sects of Judaism: Hasidic, Conservative, Orthodox, and
Reform are four of the major sects. Judaism centers on a belief in one G-d. A major
figure in Judaism is Moses. An essential component of Judaism is the belief in doing
good works. Good works are actions done to help others, and better the world around you
such as volunteering, and sharing your good fortune with others. It is also important in
Judaism to observe the high holidays, and regularly attend services as the Jewish place of
worship: A synagogue.
3. Holidays, Customs, and Traditions:
This section consists of representative pictures and
other artifacts that serve as visual and tangible
objects of learning. Each of the pictures/ artifacts
would include a snippet detailing what the
picture/artifact represented is and its significance.
Christianity: Major Holidays/ Customs:
a.)Christmas: A celebration of Jesus’ Birth (Artifacts present:
nativity scene and Christmas story, Christmas hymns audio with printed
lyrics)
b.)Lent: Fast before Easter (Artifacts present: pictures of goods
commonly given up during this time: sweets, caffeine, computer time, etc)
c.)Easter: A remembrance of Jesus’ death and celebration of the
resurrection (Artifacts present: a cross and stone with the story of the stone
rolling away Easter Hymns audio with printed lyrics.)
d. Christening/Baptism: where water is sprinkled, or the person is
immersed in water as a symbolic gesture of spiritual cleansing. (Artifacts
present: celebratory cards, baptism robe)
Islam: Major Holidays/Customs:
a.)Ramadan: Fasting for a month in which Muslims do not eat,
drink, or smoke between dawn and sunset. (Artifacts present:
traditional foods served when breaking Ramadan.)
b.) Hajj to Mecca: At least once in every Muslim’s life they travel
to Mecca to pay homage to the holy land (artifacts present:
pictures of Mecca, audio of prayer in Mecca.)
Judaism: Major Holidays/ Customs:
a.)Passover (Pesach): eight day celebration in honor of Israel being
saved from slavery in Egypt. (Artifacts present: recipes of food
typically served during Passover.)
b.)Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year (Artifacts present: Rosh
Hashanah Cards)
c.) Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement, a 24 hour fast on the 10th day
of the New Year.(Artifacts present: audio of Yom Kippur prayer in
Hebrew with translation printed text and explanation)
d.)Hanukah (Chanukah): eight day celebration during the winter
celebrating the 8 nights of light (Artifacts Present: Menorah and
the story of 8 nights of light.)
e.) Bar/Bat Mitzvah- A celebration at age 13, where the 13 year old
becomes a “son/daughter of the commandment” (Bar/Bat Mitzvah
cards and accounts of 13 year old’s celebrations.
4. Holy Text: An actual copy of the Holy text
accompanied by the following excerpts.
Christianity:
The Bible is the holy text of Christianity. The Bible serves as a guidebook for Christian
living. Christians believe that any action that goes against what the Bible says is a sin.
Islam:
The Qur’an is the holy text of Islam. The Hadith is another important text in Islam, as it is
a collection of sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Judaism:
The Torah is the holy text of Judaism. It consists of the first five books of the Old
Testament. The Mishnah and the Talmud are other important texts in Judaism, as they
consist of ethical and ritual teachings that influence Jewish life.
________________________________________________________________________
5. Primary Source Analysis:
Directions: Read the following passages detailing
perceptions of the After life. And answer the
following questions:
1. What are some specific characteristics of the afterlife according to these
passages?
2. What is the tone towards the afterlife? What emotions are conveyed in the
passages? (Positive? Negative? Joyful? Scared? Etc.)
3. According to these passages is the afterlife a good or bad place? Provide a
rationale for your answer
The After Life:
Christianity:
Christians believe in two forms of afterlife Heaven (  ) and Hell ()
Passage(s):
i.) “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my
Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to
prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and
will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
-John 14:1-3
ii.) “The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious
stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the
fourth emerald” -Revelation 21:19
iii.) Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not
beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be
their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes." -Revelation 7:16-17
Islam:
Muslims believe in two forms of the afterlife Paradise () and Hell ().
Passages:
i.) "A place in Paradise as small as the bow or lash of one of you is better than all the
world and whatever is in it" -Hadith - Sahih Bukhari 4:51
ii.) Those who are faithfully true to their trusts and to their covenants; And those who
strictly guard their (five
compulsory congregational) prayers (at their fixed stated
hours). These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They
shall dwell therein forever. -Al-Mu'minun 23:8-11
iii.) "Paradise and the Fire (Hell) argued, and the Fire (Hell) said, 'I have been given the
privilege of receiving the arrogant and the tyrants.' Paradise said, 'What is the matter with
me? Why do only the weak and the humble among the people enter me?' On that, Allah
said to Paradise, 'You are My Mercy which I bestow on whoever I wish of my servants.'
Then Allah said to the (Hell) Fire, 'You are my (means of) punishment by which I punish
whoever I wish of my slaves. And each of you will have its fill.' As for the Fire (Hell), it
will not be filled till Allah puts His Foot over it whereupon it will say, 'Qati! Qati!' At
that time it will be filled, and its different parts will come closer to each other; and Allah
will not wrong any of His created beings. As regards Paradise, Allah will create a new
creation to fill it with." - Hadith - Sahih Bukhari 6:373,
Judaism:
Jewish holy texts focus more on describing how one should live on earth, rather than
describing the after life. There is a belief in an afterlife referred to as Olam Ha-Ba (world
to come); however there is no idea of hell within Judaism. The afterlife is thought to be a
gathering of people.
Passages:
i.)“Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good
old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to
his people.” – Genesis 25:8
ii.) "This world is like a lobby before the Olam Ha-Ba.
Prepare yourself in the lobby so that you may enter the
banquet hall." -Mishnah
iii.) "This world is like the eve of Shabbat, and the Olam
Ha-Ba is like Shabbat. He who prepares on the eve of
Shabbat will have food to eat on Shabbat."- Talmud
6. Map Activity: Students would have a list of the
countries/ regions where these three religions are
geographically located today. Students will be asked to
locate where these Religions are located today, and color
them in. Students must make a key that labels each Religion
as a specific color.
The List is as follows:
Christianity: Europe, Eastern Europe/ Russia, the United States, South America, Australia
Islam: Middle East, Northern Africa, Indonesia
Judaism: America and Israel