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Lesson 8: Religion & The Constitution Topic: Summary, Analysis, and Portfolio Assessment of Religion Unit Background: This represents the culminating lesson for this unit. It is an opportunity for the teacher to assist students in summarizing and analyzing how free exercise of religion and the Establishment Clause have evolved throughout our constitutional history. The survey taken by students during the first lesson should be taken again so that students can compare changes in their knowledge and attitudes as a result of the unit. Students can also individually or in groups present and evaluate their personal or group portfolios. Objectives: Students will be able to:
Materials: Handouts 8A, "Religion & the Constitution: What’s Your Opinion?;" student portfolios Time Required: 1-2 class periods Procedures: 1. Distribute Handout 8A, "Religion & the Constitution: What’s Your Opinion?" Explain that this is intended to compare your attitudes at the end of the unit with those at the start and wioth the court decisions studied during the unit. Emphasize that even though they should have studied how the court has ruled on these issues, they should respond according to their opinions not their knowledge of the issue. 2. When the students finish the surveys, have them compare their responses with their initial ones. Ask students to explain what accounts for differences in their attitudes from the start of the unit until now. 3. Use the surveys as an opportunity to lead a final discussion about the actual decisions in some of the cases related to some of the survey items. 4. Portfolios: See teacher Manual Guidelines.
Handout 8A: RELIGION & THE CONSTITUTION WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? NAME _________________________________ DATE _________________ Directions: (1-4) The First Amendment bans the establishment of religion. Some of the following actions may violate the establishment of religion. If you agree it is a violation, write an "A" on the space before the number. If you disagree that it violates the establishment clause, write a "D" on the space before the number. _____ 1. ... Prayer in public schools. _____ 2. ... Moment for silent meditation in public schools. _____ 3. ... Clergy speaking at public school graduations. _____ 4. ... Prayers at public school graduations led by students Directions: (5-10) The First Amendment bans any law that limits the "free exercise" of religion. Read each statement. If you mainly agree with it, write an "A" on the space before the number. If you mainly disagree with it, write a "D" on the space before the number. _____ 5. There should be limits on our freedom to practice our religion. _____ 6. The Mormons practiced polygamy (several wives). When a law made it illegal, they should have been allowed to continue this due to freedom of religion. _____ 7. Jehovah’s Witnesses believed it was against their religion to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. They should have been excused from laws requiring the pledge. . _____ 8. The Amish religion objected to public high schools. They should have been excused from mandatory education laws to age 16. _____ 9. A Jehovah’s Witness was fired because she refused to work on Saturdays. Her religion does not allow her to work on Saturdays. She also refused to take jobs where she had to work on Saturdays. Those were the only jobs the state unemployment agency could find for her. When people refuse jobs, they lose their benefits. Therefore, the unemployment agency should refuse to give her benefits. _____10. Some Native American religions use peyote as a sacrament. Using peyote is also a crime. A Native American lost his job for using peyote as a sacrament. The state unemployment agency does not give people benefits when they are fired for breaking the law. Therefore, the agency should not give the Native American employment benefits. |