Group 4: Beliefs Research Group
The Task:
1. Each group will research one major belief system that has been assigned to you; research questions
follow after these directions. Each group must upload answers to the research questions to the Weebly
page.
2. You should use the library databases and credible Internet sources (no Wikipedia, blogs, tumblr etc.) in
order to complete your research. You must check off the “Website Evaluation Form” FOR EACH
WESBITE USED. A MINIMUM OF 5 SOURCES MUST BE USED.
3. You must have a completed Works Cited Page citing ALL of the resources that you used in MLA
format.
4. Each group must create a visually appealing poster-board presentation displaying the information you
researched. You are educating your classmates about the belief system; therefore you should act as
though the audience knows nothing about the belief system.
5. Each individual member must each submit his or her own typed answers to the reflection questions.
Research Guidelines:
As a group, you must submit typed, short-answer responses, at least 5-7 sentences per answer, to each
question. You also must upload the information to the Weebly page. Additionally, all answers to the following
questions must be displayed on your poster-board in some way (you do not have to write out each answer in
paragraph form, but this research information should be portrayed on the poster).
BELIEF SYSTEM YOU ARE RESEARCHING:
__________________________
1.
What are the major beliefs of the belief system? Describe and explain each belief.
2.
What are the values of the belief system? Describe and explain each value.
3.
What does the place of worship look like? (If there is one) What is the name of this structure? Why is
this the place of worship?
4.
What are some of the holy/important/symbolic places that are associated with the belief system?
Explain.
5.
Describe the belief system’s views about death and the afterlife. If there are any important ceremonies
that take place include them also.* Explain.
6.
Is there a central administration for the belief system? If yes, how is it organized? (Example:
Catholicism is organized by the Pope) Explain.
Research Group Rubric
CATEGORY
25 pts.
20 pts.
15 pts.
10 pts.
Works Cited page
contains less than five (5)
mostly reliable academic
sources or some sources
are unreliable.
Works cited page
contains little to no
academic sources or
sources are not reliable.
Responses contain few
pieces of evidence to
answer each research
question. Evidence may
be of low quality and may
contain inaccurate
information.
Responses contain quality Responses contain poor
and accurate analysis of quality analysis of each or
each piece of evidence.
most pieces of evidence.
Author somewhat shows Author may just re-explain
how the evidence
evidence with little
supports their response.
analysis or connection to
how the evidence
supports their response.
Responses contain little
to no specific and
accurate evidence to
answer each research
question.
1)
Quality/Quantity of
Sources
Works Cited page
contains at least five (5)
high quality and reliable
academic sources.
Works Cited page
contains at least five (5)
reliable academic
sources.
2)
Quality of
Responses
Responses contain
multiple pieces of
compelling, specific, and
accurate evidence to
completely answer each
research question.
Responses contain
multiple pieces of specific
and accurate evidence to
answer each research
question.
Responses contain high
quality and accurate
analysis of each piece of
evidence. Author clearly
shows how the evidence
supports their response.
Responses contain little
to no analysis or
explanation for each
piece of evidence or
analysis/explanation is
incomplete or of
unacceptably poor quality.
Author does not show
how the evidence
supports their response.
3)
Works Cited Page
Works cited page is
formatted in the MLA
style, with little to no
formatting or structural
errors.
Works cited page is
formatted in the MLA
style, with few formatting
or structural errors.
Works cited page is
formatted in the MLA
style, with multiple
formatting or structural
errors.
Does not contain a works
cited page or works cited
page does not follow MLA
format.
4)
Quality of Poster
Key information from
research is prioritized so
the most important facts
and details are present in
the poster. Poster is
organized in a manner
that enhances the viewers
understanding of poster
content. Poster is visually
appealing and highly
engaging in order to
attract the attention of
viewers.
Key information from
research is prioritized so
important facts and details
are present in the poster.
Some less important
information may also be
present. Poster is
organized in a logical
manner that is easy to
understand. Poster is
visually appealing.
Key information from
research is somewhat
prioritized so some of the
most important facts and
details are present in the
poster. Poster may
contain multiple pieces of
less important or
unrelated evidence.
Poster is somewhat
organized, but may be
confusing or unclear
structure. Poster is
somewhat visually
appealing, but may
contain elements that are
distracting or unrelated to
poster content.
Key information from
research is not prioritized
and the most important
information from research
is minimally present or not
present in the poster.
Poster is not organized in
a logical manner and/or
the organization of the
poster makes it difficult to
read and understand
poster content. Poster is
not visually appealing and
may lack
images/decorations or
may contain elements
that are distracting or
unrelated to poster
content.
Reflection Writing Piece
Directions:
Each INDIVIDUAL must write his or her own reflection piece based on their assigned belief system. Each
question must be answered with a short-response, AT LEAST 4-5 sentences. Answers must be detailed and
explanatory.
1. Why is it important to understand belief systems/religions? Explain.
2. What did you learn by completing this assignment? Explain.
3. What did you like about this assignment? How does this compare to simply reading about a topic
or learning about a topic via class notes?
4. What would you do differently if given the opportunity to do this assignment again? Explain.
You will receive a separate, individual reflection score based on the following rubric:
CATEGORY
Reflection
100 pts.
80 pts.
60 pts.
40 pts.
Student’s reflection showed
careful thought and detail.
Responses are clearly
organized, cohesive, and
proof read. Student
responses were at least 4-5
sentences per answer.
Student’s reflection had
some thought and detail.
Responses are
somewhat organized,
cohesive, and proof read.
Student responses were
at least 4-5 sentences
per answer.
Student lacked details and
thought. Student’s ideas
may not be organized,
cohesive, or proof read.
Student responses were at
least 3-4 sentences per
answer.
Reflection was turned in
two days late. Reflection
lacked details and thought.
Responses are not
organized, cohesive, or
proof read. Student
responses were less than
3 sentences per answer.
Score: ____________________/100
Website Evaluation Form
*****This must be completed for EACH website used.*****
Website: ______________________________________________
What does the URL end in?
Copy/Paste in the URL of the website you are evaluating:
Check off the
URL ending
.com (commercial or business)
.edu (college or school)
.gov (government)
.org (organization or group)
.mil (military organization)
.net (internet administration)
.sci (special knowledge news group)
.
(other, please specify)
Type of Source
Yes
Does the website have a title/heading?
Is/Are the name(s) of the author(s) given?
Are the qualifications for the author posted on the website?
Is the author reporting as an:
 Eyewitness
 News organization
 Government agency
 Non-profit agency
 For profit business
 Academic Institution
 Researcher
 Other
Is this a primary source?
Is this a secondary source?
Does the website have a publication date?
Does up-to-date information matter for your purpose?
Does the information contradict something you found somewhere else?
Does the information appear to be biased? (One-sided, critical of opposing
views, etc.)
No
WORKS CITED DIRECTIONS
All sources must be listed in ALPHABETICAL ORDER. Each source should be separated by one line.
www.easybib.com is a great resource for help on how to created a works cited page.
BOOKS
One author:
________________________ . _____________________ . ___________________ :
Author . (Last name, first name)
Title of Book .
City of Publication:
__________________________, __________________. Print.
Publisher ,
Copyright Date.
Collins, Gail. When Everything Changed: the Amazing Journey of American Women
from 1960 to the Present. New York: Little, Brown and Co, 2009. Print.
More than one author:
Heilemann, John, and Mark Halperin. Game Change. New York: HarperCollins,
2010. Print.
ARTICLES/ENCLCOPEDIAS
________________________ . “ __________________ ” . __________________ .
** Author. (Last name, first name) “ Title of Article . ”
Title of Series
_________ . _______________________ : __________.
Volume # .
City of Publication:
Copyright Date. (Most recent)
Wilkie, Richard ed. “Paraguay.” World Book Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. Chicago: World Book, 2002.
If you can’t find an author, use the name of the editor on the title or copyright page of the book. Add “ed.”
after the editor’s name.
PERIODICALS (MAGAZINES & NEWSPAPERS)
___________________. _____________________ . ___________________ :
Author .
“Title of Article.” Title of Periodical. (name of magazine/newspaper)
___________________________ . _____________________ .
Date of article.
Page #(s).
Krugman, Paul. "The Old Enemies." New York Times 24 May 2010. A25.
INTERNET SITES
___________________. _____________________ . ___________________, ___________.
Author,
“Title of Page.”
Name of Website. Date created
_____________________________________________. (__________________).
URL.
Date accessed.
Cullen, Katherine. "Endangered Species." Encyclopedia of Life Science, 2009.
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&i. (Accessed May 24, 2015).
Sample Works Cited Page
"Blueprint Lays Out Clear Path for Climate Action." Environmental Defense Fund. Environmental Defense
Fund, 8 May 2007. Web. 24 May 2009.
Clinton, Bill. Interview by Andrew C. Revkin. “Clinton on Climate Change.” New York Times. New
York Times, May 2007. Web. 25 May 2009.
Dean, Cornelia. "Executive on a Mission: Saving the Planet." New York Times. New York Times, 22 May 2007.
www.www.savingplanet.com. 25 May 2009. (Accessed June 5, 2015).
Ebert, Roger. "An Inconvenient Truth." Rev. of An Inconvenient Truth, dir. Davis Guggenheim.
www.rogerebert.com. 24 May 2009. (Accessed May 14, 2014).
Gowdy, John. "Avoiding Self-organized Extinction: Toward a Co-evolutionary Economics of Sustainability."
International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology 14.1 (2007): 27-36. Print.