Lesson Two: The Monotheistic Religions of the Middle East
Dates: Wednesday, September 30, Thursday, October 1, Friday, October 2, Monday, October 5,
Tuesday October 6, Wednesday, October 7, Thursday, October 8, and Friday October 9
Day One: Wednesday, September 30
1.
Collins Prompt: Type Two----Quiet Question: The teacher is going to read aloud the attached
PBS article from Global Connections of the Middle East entitled “Culture: A Rich Mosaic.”
Using your Introduction to the Geography of the Middle East Notes from the last lesson and
the information from the article, identify and explain at LEAST THREE DIFFERENT EXAMPLES
about the DIVERSITY of the Middle East that contradict the traditional Western stereotypes.
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Work with your assigned partner,
Do this on loose leaf paper.
Do in bullets.
This will be collected tomorrow at the start of class.
Set up as the following:
Examples:
Explanation
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2)
3)
2.
Class: Students will share and then focus on the religious diversity of the Middle East.
3. Class: The teacher will begin the Introduction to the Overview of the Monotheistic Religions.
You should take notes in the provided graphic organizer.
4. Homework: You will be completing a reading assignment working with the provided
photocopied supplemental reading entitled “Introduction to the Abrahamic Faiths.”
Directions:
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You are to ANNOTATE or TALK TO THE TEXT and highlight key points.
Then in Overview of the Monotheistic Religions PowerPoint Graphic Organizer, you are to
ADD information from the reading in EITHER PINK, ORANGE, RED, OR PURPLE PEN.
This will be checked for Class Participation Points in a few class periods on Monday, October 5.
This information will help you complete the Summative Assessment of Comparing and
Contrasting the three faiths.
Chunking:
Night One: Wednesday, September 30
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Read and take notes on pages 1-4 stopping at “Practices of Worship”.
Night Two: Thursday, October 1
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Read and take notes on pages 4 starting at “Practices of Worship” – 7 stopping at
“Monotheistic Religions”.
Night Three: Friday, October 2
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Read and take notes on pages 7 starting at “Monotheistic Religions” -9.
Day Two: Thursday, October 1
5. Class: The teacher is going to continue her Monotheistic Religions Overview PowerPoint, and
you should be adding to your graphic organizer notes.
6. Homework: Continue reading and note-taking from the supplemental reading. Follow the
chunking, and do it in EITHER RED, ORANGE, PINK, OR PURPLE PEN.
Day Three: Friday, October 2
7. Class: The teacher is going to finish the Monotheistic Religions Overview PowerPoint, and you
continue to take notes in the provided graphic organizer.
8. Class: As a final review before we break into groups, we are going to watch one of three film
clips from YouTube. Which one we watch depends on how much time we have.
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“Similarities and Differences between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam” by Karla Torres with a
running time of 3:25 minutes
“Islam, Christianity, and Judaism: One God” from History Channel: Inside Islam with a
running time of 8:24 minutes
“Monotheism in 13 Minutes” by Keith Hughes a running time of 13 minutes
9. Groups: FORMATIVE Assessment: You will be broken up into groups and assigned one of the
three religions of the Middle East to do additional research on and to create a Historical
Caricature on.
Uploaded on Teacher Page:
a)PowerPoints:
 Judaism PowerPoint
 Christianity PowerPoint
 Islam PowerPoints---Two of Them---The second one focuses only on the Five Pillars.
b)Film Clips:
 United Streaming Film Clips Uploaded for Each Religion
 You Tube Films Found By Teacher
c)Supplemental Readings for each Religion:
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Judaism:
o Sects Supplemental Reading
o Prophets Supplemental Reading
o Holy Days Supplemental Reading
o History Supplemental Reading
o Daily Life and Practices Supplemental Reading
o Basic Beliefs Supplemental Reading
Christianity:
o History One Supplemental Reading
o History Two Supplemental Reading
o Rites and Holidays Supplemental Reading
o Beliefs One Supplemental Reading
o Beliefs Two Supplemental Reading
Islam:
o Texts and Practices Supplemental Reading
o Sects Supplemental Reading
o Laws Supplemental Reading
o Holy Festivals and Days Supplemental Reading
o Art and Architecture Supplemental Reading
o History Supplemental Reading
How to Split Up Resources Between Group Members:
1) Group Member One: This group member should read and go back over the Overview
PowerPoint Notes and the Introduction to the Abrahamic Reading to pull information and
view all the United Streaming Film Clips and YouTube for your assigned religion taking more
notes from them.
2) Group Member Two: This group member should do the first half of the PowerPoint
presentation for your assigned religions and take notes on it. Print up two to four slides per
copy page.
3) Group Member Three: This group member should do the second half of the PowerPoint
presentation for your assigned religions and take notes on it. Print up two to four slides per
copy page.
4) Group Member Four: This group member should download and print up his assigned
supplemental readings and take notes. Split the supplemental readings in half.
5) Group Member Five: This group member should download and print up his assigned
supplemental readings and take notes. Do the other half of the supplemental readings.
6) Group Member Six (If There Is One): This group member will be assigned to the Islam Group.
So this group member should do the Five Pillars of Islam PowerPoint and take notes on it.
Print up two to four slides per page.
Middle East Religions Historical Caricatures Content Topics---To Be
Addressed within Project
Judaism
1) Early Hebrews/Founders: Abraham and His Sons, Moses, King Saul, King David, and King
Solomon
2) History/Diaspora and Creation of Israel
3) Sacred Texts/Language: Ten Commandments, Torah and Talmud, Hebrew
4) Teachings/Main Beliefs: Monotheism, Justice and Righteousness, Obedience to the Law,
Donations/Acts of Charity, Etc…
5) Place of Worship and How Worship: Synagogues, Rabbis, Tallit, Kippur/Yarmulke, Menorah,
Holy Day (Sabbath) Shabbat, Prayer
6) Symbol: Star of David---Explain Symbolism
7) Kosher Foods and Fasting: Dietary Laws and Basis for Them
8) Religious Coming of Age: Bar Mitzvah, Bah Mitzvah
9) Important Holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Hanukkah
10) Views on Afterlife and Salvation
11) Views on Messiah and Jesus
12) Holy Cities/Places: Jerusalem and Israel
13) Religious Divisions/Sects: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform
14) Demographics: How Many Followers? Where?
Christianity
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Origins/Founder: Abraham and His Sons, Jesus of Nazareth, Twelve Disciples
Messiah: Life and Teachings of Jesus
History/How It Spread
Sacred Texts/Language: Ten Commandments, Old and New Testaments of the Bible, Latin and
English
Teachings/Main Beliefs: Monotheism, Jesus Son of God, Holy Trinity, Original Sin,
Donations/Acts of Charity/Tithes, Etc…
Places of Worship and How Worship: Churches and Cathedrals, Priests and Ministers, Holy
Day (Sabbath), Communion/Eucharist, Prayer, Sacraments
Symbol: Cross and Explain Symbolism
Religious Coming of Age: Baptism and Confirmations
Important Holidays: Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter
Views on Afterlife and Salvation
Holy Cities/Places: Bethlehem and Jerusalem
Religious Divisions/Sects: Catholics and Protestants: Baptists, Lutherans,
Anglicans/Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc…
Demographics: How Many Followers? Where?
Islam
1) Origins/Founder: Abraham and His Sons, Mohammed
2) History/How It Spread
3) Sacred Texts/Language: Ten Commandments, Torah, Old and New Testaments of the Bible,
Quran/Koran, Sunnah, and Arabic
4) Teachings/Main Beliefs: Monotheism, Allah, Role of Religion and Government, Five Pillars,
Donations/Acts of Charity/Zakat, Jihad, Sharia/Sharia
5) Places of Worship and How Worship: Mosques, Minarets, Muezzins, Imams, Sabbath, Caliphs,
Prayer
6) Symbols: Moon and Star and Explain Symbolism
7) Foods and Fasting: Forbidden pork and alcohol, Dietary Laws
8) Important Holidays: Ramadan
9) Views on Afterlife and Salvation
10) Views on Jesus
11) Holy Cities/Places and Pilgrimages: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem and Hajj
12) Religious Divisions/Sects: Sunni, Shiites, and Sufi
13) Demographics: How Many Followers? Where?
Chunking of the Religious Historical Caricature:
Work Day One/Homework:
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You will be assigned groups and religion.
Fill in the Contact Information on Group Responsibility Sheet.
Break up the different resources for the project between the group members to take
additional notes from.
Update the Group Responsibility Sheet under Work Day One.
Homework: Read and take notes from your assigned resources.
Work Day Two/Homework:
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Group members should share additional information found from each resource and add to the
graphic organizer specifically for your assigned religion only.
Make sure everyone has a fully completed graphic organizer.
Then brainstorm and do a rough draft of your Religious Caricature on the blank piece of paper.
Then assign the different art parts and corresponding written parts to the different group
members.
Update the Group Responsibility Sheet under Work Day Two.
Homework: Print up and/or draw your art parts. You must complete your art parts as
homework to be done on time.
Work Day Three:
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Assemble the art part of the Religious Caricature on the oak tag.
You should finish the art part by the end of the class period.
Update the Group Responsibility Sheet.
Homework: Write up, type up, and edit your written parts. Be sure to email to your group
members and yourself, and also save on a flash drive.
Work Day Four:
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The group members should edit each other’s written parts. Make sure each follows and
meets the minimum requirements. You can lose important points for careless mistakes and
leaving out required information and components. Check against grade sheet.
Print up the written part and attach to the bottom of your Religious Caricature.
Update the Group Responsibility Sheet.
Homework: Make sure all your Middle East Notes are complete up to this point.
2015 Middle East Religions Historical Caricature Grade Sheet
Due on:
A)_________________ The caricature was a detailed drawing of a central historical figure.
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On the person were objects and details that realistically could be on him and represent key
beliefs, characteristics, and events.
Must have a MINIMUM of SEVEN historical aspects addressed on the figure
You CANNOT REPEAT CONCEPTS OR INFORMATION! If you do, it will not be counted.
Each historical aspect is worth 5 Points for a total of 35 Points.
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Suggestions
Enlarge the face of your actual historical figure from the PowerPoints or the Internet --for example use the face of Abraham for Judaism, the face of Jesus for Christianity,
and the face for Islam use a symbol of the religion, a picture of a mosque, etc…since
Muslims do not depict religious figures under their faith, to use as your head to have
an accurate visual
Thought Bubbles for important beliefs, prayers, a saying, etc… for the religion
Speaking Bubbles for famous quotes or beliefs for the religion
T-Shirt Design and Slogan for important beliefs and/or practices of the religion
Items in each hand for important beliefs and impact on the religion---for example the
different holy texts/books in each hand
Items under each foot for things they were against/forbidden to do under the religion
Wearing something on the head relating to important belief or practice of the religion
Wearing a piece of jewelry that ties in to the religion
USE HISTORICAL IMAGES WHENEVER YOU CAN TO BE ACCURATE AND SAVE TIME
DO IN COLOR
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B)______________ In the background, there are additional supplementary images that are realistically
and historically appropriate and represent additional key beliefs, characteristics, and events.
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Must have a Minimum of SEVEN historical aspects addressed in the background
You CANNOT REPEAT CONCEPTS OR INFORMATION! If you do, it will not be counted.
Each historical aspect is worth 5 Points for a total of 35 Points.
Suggestions:
o Buildings relating to the religion like place of worship and unique architectural
features to the faith
o Other historical figures they influenced, contradicted, or agreed with religion
o Places and events related to the religion---holy cities they make pilgrimages to or
played a key part of the religion’s history
o Practices of the religion
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Bookshelves with important religious texts in background
Above the figure address the religion’s view of heaven and salvation
Below the figure address the religion’s view of afterlife and/or hell
Places around the world that this religion is a large majority of the population
Different religion sects
These should not be random or in collage style.
USE HISTORICAL IMAGES WHENEVER YOU CAN TO BE ACCURATE AND SAVE TIME.
DO IN COLOR.
C)_____________ At the bottom of the caricature, there is a detailed key explaining the symbolism.
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Each key description is a minimum of THREE WELL-DEVELOPED SENTENCES that contains
specific historical facts and explanations.
A well-developed sentence should define, explain, provide examples, or analyze.
DO NOT WRITE SHORT OR BRIEF SENTENCES. DO NOT WRITE VAGUE OR GENERAL
STATEMENTS.
DO NOT JUST KEEP REPEATING OR REWORDING THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION. If you do, it
will not be counted.
DO NOT WRITE IN PARAGRAPH FORMAT! It makes it too hard to read and take notes from.
WRITE IN BULLET FORMAT.
This should be numbered and the numbers should match the images on the poster.
This should be TYPED and in Calibri Bold Size 14 Font.
It should be attached to the bottom of your poster to hang front-wise for students to read
and look at the art part at the same time.
Each is worth 5 Points for a Total of 70 Points.
d)__________It was done neatly, in an organized manner, labeled with the title of the religion, and
the key was spell-checked and grammar-checked. Worth 5 Points
Total:
/145 Points
Day Four: Monday, October 5
Work Day Two/Homework:
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Group members should share additional information found from each resource and add to the
graphic organizer specifically for your assigned religion only.
Make sure everyone has a fully completed graphic organizer.
Then brainstorm and do a rough draft of your Religious Caricature on the blank piece of paper.
Then assign the different art parts and corresponding written parts to the different group
members.
Update the Group Responsibility Sheet under Work Day Two.
Homework: Print up and/or draw your art parts. You must complete your art parts as
homework to be done on time.
Day Five: Tuesday, October 6
Work Day Three/Homework:
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Assemble the art part of the Religious Caricature on the oak tag.
You should finish the art part by the end of the class period.
Update the Group Responsibility Sheet.
Homework: Write up, type up, and edit your written parts. Be sure to email to your group
members and yourself, and also save on a flash drive.
Day Six: Wednesday, October 7
Work Day Four/Homework:
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The group members should edit each other’s written parts. Make sure each follows and
meets the minimum requirements. You can lose important points for careless mistakes and
leaving out required information and components. Check against grade sheet.
Print up the written part and attach to the bottom of your Religious Caricature.
Update the Group Responsibility Sheet.
Homework: Make sure all your Middle East Notes are complete up to this point.
Day Seven: Thursday, October 8
10. Class: The Religious Caricatures will be hung around the room. You will now visit them as
Learning Stations, as fill in the single graphic organizers for each religion.
11. Homework: Complete the Summative Assessment Take Home Part of the First Unit Test
Comparing and Contrasting the Monotheistic Religions Graphic Organizer
due:________________________.
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YOU ARE TO EXAMINE TWO SIMILARITIES AND TWO DIFFERENCES! NOT THREE!
Make sure the similarities and differences are genuine and not superficial.
o For example, a superficial similarity would be that they all have a Sabbath or holy
day. Or if you are using the holy days, explore the religious basis for them.
Where in the holy texts do they get the information to determine what the holy
day should be?
o A better example of a similarity would be they all share common beliefs on
charity.
Make sure you explain what the overall similarity and difference is.
Then examine how each is found in each religion with specific terms, beliefs, practices,
etc…explained and connected to the similarity.
NOTE THAT A SIMILARITY CANNOT ALSO BE USED AS A DIFFERENCE AND VICE VERSA!
Same applies for differences.
o But note that some of the differences may only be between one of the three
religions.
o For example, two of the religions may have food restrictions, when one may not.
This can still be considered a difference.
Chunking:
Night One:
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Go through all your notes from this lesson and identify the three similarities and three
differences and write them down in the first columns of the graphic organizer with a brief
explanation for each.
Night Two:
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Identify and explain with specific historical content the examples from each religion for each
of the three similarities.
Night Three:
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Identify and explain with specific historical content the examples for each religion for each of
the three differences.
Night Four:
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Go over what you have written. Double-check it against your notes. Make any revisions or
corrections.
Day Eight: Friday, October 9
12. Class: This is the last day to view and get additional notes from the Learning Stations.
Remember the better your notes, the easier it will be to complete the Summative Assessment
Comparing and Contrasting the Monotheistic Faiths.
13. Homework: Continue to work on the Summative Assessment Comparing and Contrasting the
Monotheistic Religions. This is due on:________________.