A volume in International Social Studies Forum: The Series Series
Editors Richard Diem, University of Texas at San Antonio and Jeff
Passe, Towson University There may be no topic that is more
controversial in our country and in our schools than religion.
Changing demographics and the evolving relationship between
religion and politics have resulted in conflicts concerning
teaching about religion, teaching about evolution, and prayers at
graduation. In spite of laws and policies designed to clarify these
challenges, the relationship between religion and the schools
remains a powerful and conflicted issue. And yet, religious
literacy is essential for people of all ages to understand
historical and contemporary cultures and conflicts as well as
different beliefs and practices of people in our communities and
around the world. Many of the concerns raised about teaching
children about religion can be addressed through the use of
authentic children's and adolescent literature. The use of rich
narratives, both fact and fiction, is both an effective and
inclusive strategy for teaching about religious and spiritual
diversity. This book is an invaluable resource for enabling
teachers, religious educators, and families to learn about
religious diversity themselves and to teach children about both
their own religion as well as the beliefs of others. The traditions
featured include indigenous beliefs throughout the world, Native
American spirituality, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity
(Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism), Islam, Sikhism, and
other beliefs such as Baha'i, Unitarian Universalism, Humanism, and
Atheism. Each chapter highlights a specific religion or spiritual
tradition with a brief discussion about major beliefs,
misconceptions, sacred texts, and holy days or celebrations. This
summary of each tradition is followed by extensive annotated
recommendations for children's and adolescent literature as well as
suggested teaching strategies. The recommended literature includes
informational books, traditional religious stories, and fiction
with religious themes. The child-friendly informational books focus
on major beliefs, celebrations, symbols and people from various
faiths who are role models and heroes. These books often feature
colorful artwork, photographs, poetry or music. The traditional
religious literature includes stories about basic values and
beliefs that were passed down orally for hundreds and thousands of
years. And the recommended fiction highlights stories about
authentic experiences faced by children, both past and present.
These stories represent both sadness and joy; conflict and
resolution; confusion and understanding; discrimination and
acceptance. Teachers, religious educators, and family members will
find the literature from these genres to be invaluable tools for
bridging the religious experience of the child with that of the
global society in which they live.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
(1)
