establishment

Freedom of Religion
Hook Activity
Learning Activities
Activity #1 - Historical Roots of Freedom of Religion – How and Why It All Started
Teacher’s Note: Corresponding worksheet is on following page.
Skills – Students will be able to:
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others in groups.
• Trace the history of the principles of religious freedom embodied in the First Amendment.
• Compare and contrast the fundamentals of different religions.
• Conduct research using web-based resources.
Materials Needed:
Internet access, Chart paper, Markers, Pencils, T-chart
Procedure:
1. Divide class into six groups.
2. Assign each group one of the following religions: Quakers, Jewish, Puritans, Mormon, Catholic, Presbyterian,
Nation of Islam, or other appropriate religion.
3. Have each group choose a leader from their chosen religion to role play and represent their group’s religion.
4. Have each group research and compile information on the fundamental beliefs of their religion.
5. Have each group create a visual display/chart which lists the fundamental beliefs of the religion they have researched.
These will be posted in the room to use later.
6. Have each group give a presentation to the class using the information from the visual they created.
7. As they present, students may play the part of their religious group leader. (They may even dress the part.)
8. Lead the discussion about all the religions focusing on similarities and differences between them. The discussion
should lead into why freedom of religion became an issue of importance.
9. Have students use a T-chart to compare and contrast two of the religions discussed during activity.
Activity #2 – Newspaper Scavenger Hunt – “Freedom of Religion Findings” (Paired group instruction)
Teacher’s Note: Turn pages to find Worksheet.
Skills – Students will be able to:
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others in groups.
• Engage in inductive reasoning to summarize and draw conclusions from qualitative data.
Materials Needed:
Various newspapers from different cities and states, if possible, Scissor, Highlighters, Glue or tape,
Newspaper Scavenger Hunt Worksheet (located in this unit)
Procedure:
1. Assign student pairs to search newspapers for articles pertaining to religious situations.
2. Have students highlight important points of article, cut out article, paste to worksheet, answer questions.
3. Share and discuss the article with the class. Possible discussion questions:
• What is the religious situation in the article?
• What people or groups are involved?
• Do you think this situation can be resolved? If so, how?
• If it has not been resolved, make a prediction about what might happen.
• What does this article show us about the importance of the freedom of religion?
4. Following this activity, post the articles on a bulletin board.
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