Over the past few weeks, the 6th grade students have explored the sociological, political, theological and geographical elements of the world religions. Specifically, they have discussed, inter alia, the origins, key figures and belief systems of followers of the five largest religions (Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Sikhism) and Judaism. In their study of Christianity, students explored the evolution of the faith starting with the beginnings of the Church, through the Great Schism and continuing through the Protestant Reformation.
Students also used world maps to locate concentrations of followers of each faith. In addition, they learned about the manner in which people engage their faith through watching videos of religious celebrations throughout the world. They compared the belief systems of these faiths with their own and addressed the fundamental purpose of each theology. The exercise has provided students not only with a foundation for future studies of the culture and societies of India, China, Greece and Rome, but the ability to understand the role of faith in the lives of people throughout the United States and the world.
The role of mindfulness and personal reflection has played a significant role in the studies. Accordingly, each class day begins with one student leading a short meditation session in which students utilize the sound of a Tibetan singing bowl to focus their th
oughts and prepare for a productive day of learning. (To learn more about Tibetan singing bowls, click here.)
