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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Religion, culture, and diversity

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/teachers/lp_diversity.html

A lesson plan for grades K–7 and 9 Guidance and Social Studies

Provider: PBS


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Diversity and pluralism are hallmarks of North American society. Within our culture there coexist a plethora of traditions and values that are bound to conflict with each other and at the same time enrich each other. In a nation of immigrants, each new group challenges the mainstream to accept its religion and culture, and is challenged to keep its identity while getting along and blending in.

In this lesson, students explore some of the tensions associated with religious and cultural differences, learn more about various religions and share their own religious traditions. Resources include segments from Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, Web sites, and interviews with family members and other adults. As a culminating activity, students create art projects on themes of religion, spirituality, and diversity.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Guidance (2001)

Grade K–5

  • Goal 7: Acquire the attitudes, knowledge and interpersonal skills to help understand and respect self and others.

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 6

  • Goal 11: The learner will recognize the common characteristics of different cultures in South America and Europe.
    • Objective 11.01: Identify the concepts associated with culture such as language, religion, family, and ethnic identity, and analyze how they both link and separate societies.
  • Goal 12: The learner will assess the influence of major religions, ethical beliefs, and values on cultures in South America and Europe.
    • Objective 12.01: Examine the major belief systems in selected regions of South America and Europe, and analyze their impact on cultural values, practices, and institutions.

Grade 7

  • Goal 11: The learner will recognize the common characteristics of different cultures in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
    • Objective 11.01: Identify the concepts associated with culture such as language, religion, family, and ethnic identity, and analyze how they can link and separate societies.
  • Goal 12: The learner will assess the influence of major religions, ethical beliefs, and values on cultures in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
    • Objective 12.01: Examine the major belief systems in selected regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia, and analyze their impact on cultural values, practices, and institutions.

Grade 9

  • Goal 6: Patterns of Social Order - The learner will investigate social and economic organization in various societies throughout time in order to understand the shifts in power and status that have occurred.
    • Objective 6.01: Compare the conditions, racial composition, and status of social classes, castes, and slaves in world societies and analyze changes in those elements.