Teacher's Page
| Unit Summary | Teacher's Resources | Day 1 Lesson | Day 2 Lesson |
| Day 3 Lesson | Day 4 Lesson | Day 5 Lesson | Day 6 Lesson |
| Day 7 Lesson | Day 8 Lesson | Day 9 Lesson | Day 10 Lesson |
| Conclusion | Student's Web Quest |
WebQuest Title: Prayer in School
Dear Colleague: If you are looking for a unit on Prayer in School; Well, You have come to the right spot. This Unit not only offers a WebQuest and activities to help stimulate students and further their cognitive growth but also, this unit, also comes with a bonus. The bonus gives students the opportunity to understand, reflect and appreciate differences as presented in the various religions. The students within their WebQuest groups will research a specific religion from the 5 Great World Religions and Atheism.
Grade Level: 12th
Author: Ameena Zia
Date: April 7, 2006
Unit Summary:
Goals/Objectives:
Students will gain a deeper understanding of the Establishment Clause and how it pertains to Prayer in School
Students will get an enriched understanding of prayer in school: what it is and why it is so controversial.
Students will gain an insight of the ìGodlessî Pledge and the addition of ìGodî into the Pledge as we know it today.
Students will be equipped with the knowledge and respect of other religions and walk away with an appreciation for differences.
Days: 10 (50 hour block)
Content: The material to
be presented to the students will be about the Establishment Clause, Supreme
Court Cases, specifically Engel v. Vitale, Prayer in School, the Pledge of
Allegiance and ìGod,î Religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism,
Hinduism, and Atheism
Methods:
The students will be involved in cooperative learning through group work and
class discussions. Instruction will be provided with the aid of visuals,
articles, handouts, displays and speakers, insiders, from various religions. To
start the students will begin with making a KWL chart where they map the amount
of information they already know and what they have learned. A frayer model
chart will be used to explain key terms. This will all culminate with the Webquest
activity and presentation.
WebQuest Summary:
Goals/Objectives:
Students will use Internet resources provided on the webquest to understand what Prayer in School is, the Engel v. Vitale case and what the verdict was, what others have to say about this topic, the Establishment Clause and facts about the Pledge of Allegiance.
The students will gain information about various religions and the rituals of prayers as outlined by these faiths.
Days: 7
Content: The students will research
information about prayer in school through the plethora of websites provided,
collaborate with their group members to design a visual to aid in their
presentation for or against prayer in school. The argument will contain an
understanding of other religions (in specific the prayers of other religions).
Methods: Students
will use the Internet and the resources provided to research information
pertaining to what prayer in school is, the controversy behind it which includes
an understanding of the Establishment Clause ( a handout will be provided for
all). The students will learn why the Pledge of Allegiance has many roused up by
reading articles or visiting sites of those opposing the issue. The students can
use pictures, quotes and the information in the webquest and on the computer to
design their visual aid and construct their argument for or
against Prayer in
School.
Unit Information:
Background Resources
Web-based Subject Matter Content The Case Against School Prayer: http://www.ffrf.org/nontracts/schoolprayer.php Religion in the U.S. Public Schools: http://www.religioustolerance.org/ps_pray.htm
School Issues-Prayer in School: http://www.kcls.org/hh/prayer.cfm School Prayer: http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/church-state/prayer.html Prayer in Your School https://www.atpe.org/LegalIss/religion.htm
Web Pedagogy Content 4 Teachers: http://www.4teachers.org/ Internet for Classrooms: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/using_quest.htm Civics Online: www.civics-online.org/teachers First Amendment Schools: www.firstamendmentschools.org Other Resources Computer Rules KWL Chart Group Sheet Frayer Model Worksheet Crossword Puzzle Religion Fact Sheet Scavenger Hunt Questions World Religions PowerPoint
Unit Lesson Sequence
Day 1 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Lecture + Hands On Computer Skill Training: Navigation Online, PPT, Word, Internet + Rules to be followed when on Computers Handout: Computer Rules Attention Getter To lead us into the Topic
- Begin with " Let's Take A moment TO Pray!"
- Are We Allowed to do this?
KWL Chart for Prayer in School
Handout: KWL Chart Callout Groups Group Students, Let them decide what Role they will Play. Handout to write Group Name, Names and Jobs of each Studens. Group Sheet Directions, Dialogue, Collaborative Work On Computers... Have them Get to the Webquest, how to Use it, Get Comfortable with it. Explain The Task. Follow On the Overhead Let it Sink In Questions or Concerns can be addressed at this Point
Day 2 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Brief Outline of the Day's Wok on Board Go Over: Establishment Clause, First Amendment, Prayer in School and what it entails briefly. Introduce Key Terms. Frayer Model Worksheet Worksheets to work on Vocabulary Group Work WebQuest: Students should Read & Familiarize themselves with the WebQuest in specific the Process and Resources. Group Activity Brainstorm Ideas for WebQuest Activity/Project and Visual A Web Chart to write down ideas.
Day 3 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Attention Getter:
- It is time to begin your Journey
- Today You Are Going to Surf the Net!
- "Surf's Up Dude"
Begin Research by using the Resources found on the WebQuest, visit the various websites, Take Notes. Reflect on these: what does the group have to say -- maybe write in the margins your opinions. Search the Topics on a Search Engine if you want more information. ie. Google
Folder with Paper and Group List of Names & Jobs to write down information in Cognitive Reflection:
- Analysis
- Evaluation
Do you All Agree? Disagree? Where does each one of you stand on the Topic Right Now. Write one Paragraph and Turn in together. See what You Remember Crossword Puzzle for Key Terms Handout: Crossword Puzzle
Day 4 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Group Work Today they will be let loose Researching. Final Notes, tidbits of info. Only Day left that they have.
Day 5 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Attention Getter Today You are Working On Constructing Visual Aid and Finalizing what the Final Project will Look Like
Instruction Make Outline For Project whether Power Point, Report or other. Paper for Outline Facilitating and Leading Students in their work. How is the Visual Aid Going to look? Rough Draft of that.
- list pictures and items you can use
- print out pictures
- write down references (websites visited)
* Remember you need to include the religion assigned to your group
- Visual Aid Rough Draft
- Reference Sheet
Day 6 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Attention Getter Classroom Paraphernalia to get them to already start thinking, using meta-cognition, as to what the day will be about
Engage Students in Dialogue Dialogue, Discussion, Cooperative Constructive Group Work Game: Write or Point to Symbols and various text from the Religions. KWL Chart for Particular Groups' Specifiic Religion KWL Chart Lecture
- Define: Religion, Monothiesm, Polythiesm
- Explain the 6 Religions as to what they Are known for
- ie. Atheism: No God
Board Work Lecture/Discussion Power Point Presentation on the World's 5 Great Religions * the link for your religion under your group number if want to look at
World Religions PowerPoint PPT Overhead Q & A @ end
Day 7 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Cooperative Group Work Navigate through Resources for Religions, read the articles Handout Articles Take Notes Religion Fact Sheet - fill in Use if Needed Slide on Religion * simultaneously work on visual and final project (4 jobs 4 people)
Day 8 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Scavenger Hunt It is time to use what you have learned and find your guest speaker! Scavenger Hunt Questions Instructions and Questions Group Fun and Learning through Mini Lecture & conversation. Speaker is somewhere in the school, your answers will lead you to them. They will speak to you for 5 minutes and then you may ask any questions from them. Include this in your project. -- Share your idea, opinions and plans with them.
Folder, Note Paper Group Work Come Back to Class...Take your Notes and begin work on final Project and visual Aid.
Day 9
Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Teacher Facilitates - Students carry out the task together. Final Work on Group Project and Visual.
Do Rough Draft
Edit
Add Pictures & Research
Presenter Prepare!
Folder, Pictures, Article, World Religions PowerPoint Everything they have collected
Day 10
Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Attention Getter Now that you Have had fun, collected your data. It is time to Share what you All have Learned. Group Presentations Each Group Will Present 5-7 minutes. Group Project + Visual Aid
Student Webquest : This Webquest is designed to enhance your knowledge about Prayer in School and to broaden your horizon on the differences that truly Exist in Life. It is to build and equip students with respect and an understanding of those different from them hopefully to cultivate stronger, more intelligent and open citizens.
Yea! Your Done. The students should have a heightened insight into this controversial subject of Prayer in School coupled with an awareness and appreciation for differences. Hopefully the Presentation, Work, and Enthusiasm paid off!
Credits/References:
Me, Myself & I! (also the Internet Helped :)