Curriculum / ELA / 3rd Grade / Unit 7: Exploring World Religions / Lesson 1
ELA
Unit 7
3rd Grade
Lesson 1 of 19
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Describe what a religion is and the way religions are similar and different.
Book: What Is Religion? by Bobbie Kalman pp. 4 – 11
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved
How do the illustrations on pp. 10–11 support the idea that each religion is unique?
Which detail from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?
What is religion? In what ways are religions similar? In what ways are they different?
An example response to the Target Task at the level of detail expected of the students.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
What big questions do religions try to answer?
All religions have different beliefs. Give two examples
What information do readers learn about religion from the photographs and captions on pages 4-5? Give two specific details.
What is the main idea of the section, “Religions of the world”? Identify two details that support the main idea.
What is the main idea of the section, “Holy books”? Identify two details that support the main idea.
What is the main idea of the section, “Sacred places on Earth?” Identify two details that support the main idea.
Why do people go to holy sites? Why do you think the author chose to include the images and diagrams to help the reader answer this question?
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
religion
n.
a way of life with a set of beliefs
represent
v.
to stand for
sacred
adj.
highly valued and important
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RI.3.2 — Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
L.3.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
RF.3.3 — Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.3.4 — Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RI.3.1 — Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
RI.3.4 — Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
RI.3.5 — Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.
RI.3.7 — Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
RI.3.10 — By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 2—3 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
SL.3.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
W.3.10 — Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Lesson 2
RI.3.2
Explain how the author uses details to support the idea that religion has shaped the world we live in today.
RI.3.2 RI.3.8
Discussion & Writing – 2 days
Explain what evidence both authors include to show that religion has played an important role in shaping our world.
L.3.1.h L.3.1.i RI.3.9 SL.3.1 W.3.2
Explain what the section “The Story of Judaism” is mostly about and what details the author includes to support the main ideas by determining the main idea.
Explain the history and beliefs of Judaism.
RI.3.3 RI.3.8
Analyze the evidence the author includes to support the idea that “for centuries, holidays and traditions have been an essential part of Jewish life."
Discussion & Writing
Explain what both authors want a reader to know and understand about the key beliefs and aspects of Judaism.
RI.3.9 SL.3.1 W.3.2 W.3.2.a W.3.2.b W.3.2.d
Explain what the sections “The Story of Jesus” and “Many Kinds of Christians” are mostly about and what details the author includes to support the main idea.
Explain the history and beliefs of Christianity.
Explain if all Christian groups, or denominations, are the same and what evidence the author gives to either support or disprove this idea.
Explain what both authors want a reader to know and understand about the key beliefs and aspects of Christianity.
Explain what the section “The Story of Islam” is mostly about and what details the author includes to support the main idea.
Explain the history and beliefs of Islam.
Explain the five pillars of Islam and why each pillar is important.
RI.3.3
Explain what both authors want a reader to know and understand about the key beliefs and aspects of Islam.
2 days
Research and take notes about either Hinduism or Buddhism by reading multiple texts to determine and synthesize key information about a topic.
RI.3.2 W.3.2 W.3.2.a W.3.2.b W.3.2.d W.3.7 W.3.8
Writing – 5 days
Write a research report describing key aspects of Buddhism or Hinduism by writing informative texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
W.3.2 W.3.2.a W.3.2.b W.3.2.d W.3.7 W.3.8
Discussion
Discuss why it is important to learn about other religions.
RI.3.2 SL.3.1
Assessment
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