ISLAM
Activity Based Lessons for Upper Elementary Students

AND

BUDDHISM
Activity Based Lessons for Upper Elementary Students
by Rachel Brown
email: brown-rachel@comcast.net

About the guides....
Both the Buddhism and Islam guides were written for and pilot tested with 5th and 6th graders at the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Buddhism guide has 8 weeks of lessons while the Islam has 9 weeks. Both are written for people new to the RE classroom and who have little background in the religious traditions. Both include reference lists of additional support materials--most of which can be found in public libraries or via the Internet. At the end of this page is information about the content of each curriculum guide.

To get copies of the guides...

.... click on the following links to download PDF files:

To pay for the curriculum guide...

.... you are on your honor. Please send a check to the following name and address:

To download Adobe Reader, the free software...

.... that you can use to view the files click here: Adobe Acrobat Reader

If you want a receipt....

... click HERE to download a pdf file that you can print and fill out.

Thanks for your interest! Feedback always welcome!
- Rachel

ISLAM: Activity Based Lessons for Upper Elementary Students

UNIT GOALS
1. Students will develop an awareness and sensitivity to other cultures and religions.
2. Students will be exposed to different religious experiences they may use as they shape their own spiritual path.

CONTENT

Throughout the course of the unit, students will be exposed to and work with the following topics/content:

• Basic teachings of Islam, including the Five Pillars: Shahadah, declaration of faith; Salaat, prayer; Zakaat, giving to charity; Sawm, fasting; Haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Prophets of Islam and their connection to the Judaic and Christian traditions
• History, structure and writings of the Quran (Koran).
• Story of the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Cultural and artistic expressions of Arabic Islam.
• Geographical location of Muslims around the world, including, if possible, a local mosque.
• Design elements and the functions of mosques. 
• Black Muslim movement in America—its history and current status.
• Church/society/community members who are practicing Muslims.
• Media bias against Muslim people.
• Differences between Islamic teachings/beliefs and the groups of people who follow these teachings/beliefs. 
• Connections and differences among Unitarian Universalism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

BUDDHISM: Activity Based Lessons for Upper Elementary Students

UNIT GOALS

1. Students will develop an awareness and sensitivity to other cultures and religions.

2. Students will be exposed to different religious experiences they may use as they shape their own spiritual path.


LESSON OBJECTIVES

1. Experience meditation as a tool for personal reflection and spiritual growth.

2.Know the story of the life of Siddhartha, the Buddha.

3.Know the basic teachings of Buddhism, including the following:

• the middle path
• the four noble truths
• the eight-fold path
• the Jataka stories.

4.Identify the connections and differences between Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism.

5.Get to know church/society/community members who are practicing Buddhists.

6.Know cultural and artistic expressions of Buddhism, including temples, Buddhas, shrines, mandalas, incense, and Zen drawings.