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Teaching Materials Different Drummers: Nonconforming Thinkers in History A versatile set of supplemental instructional materials designed with worldview diversity in mind. Most portions of the complete module are available free on line (all materials are available as .PDF files). Varied concept lessons and story lessons specifically acknowledge nonconformist thinking on important matters (science, politics, religion) and can aid public school teachers to achieve greater objectivity and balance in their teaching about diverse worldviews. The module focuses on unconventional and unorthodox thinking in general, with special emphasis on nonconformity regarding religion [nonreligion]. The lessons and activities (for grades 6-12) were teacher-reviewed and pilot tested in social studies classrooms. The stated goals of the materials are: - To cultivate students' respect for people’s freedom to think freely and hold unfamiliar or dissimilar religious and philosophical beliefs. - To increase students’ awareness of the great diversity of human thought. - To foster students’ commitment to safeguarding within society personal independence of thought and freedom for both religious and naturalistic convictions. The Bill of Rights Institute The Institute is focused on educating about our country’s founding principles (exploring what the Founders said and the founding documents say, and how these ideas affect our daily lives and shape our society). Among its materials that relate to the goals of teaching about religion with a view to diversity are many highly relevant free lesson plans and ideas. Selected Lesson Plans on the Web Lesson plans available free on the Web. These lessons were selected to support, in one way or another, this site's educational commitment to national pluralism and to appropriate civic acknowledgement of worldview diversity. The Teacher’s Press Assorted teaching materials for sale, although there are free items, too. Developed by two expert teachers from Riverside-Brookfield Public High School, Riverside, Illinois, the materials are perhaps a little rough from the viewpoint of professional design; nevertheless they have abundant good ideas with a critical thinking bent. On site, go to the “The Content” page and review the topics, especially “Thinking Logically,” “Thinking about Religion (from a Global Perspective),” “Prejudice in Group Relations,” “The Decalogue: Bible Scholarship for Use Today, and “Thinking about the Mysterious.” Snippets An extensive set of short quotations relating to three major categories. Very brief quoted matter is useful as raw material for certain themes and for guiding or enriching students’ learning experiences. - Religion and Public Education - Religious Liberty and Nonreligion - Religious Pluralism and a Civil Society |
Teaching About Religion |
in support of civic pluralism |