The Ancient Hebrews: The Beliefs of Judaism

The Star of David: As a symbol, the six-pointed star has represented Judaism in many lands for many centuries. 

 Today's Focus Question  How did the ancient Hebrews develop and record their beliefs?

The Beliefs of Judaism: Vocabulary Study  Today we will study some of the key vocabulary related to the beliefs of Judaism, using the document Beliefs of Judaism - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which can be found in your Social Studies Google Classroom. We will be using an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook, which can also be found in you Social Studies Google Classroom (as well as here), to help us understand the lesson's key words and concepts.

Homework  (1.) Complete the assignment Beliefs of Judaism - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which will be due next Friday, December 11. (2.) Tomorrow is Friday, so several assignments from the past week are due, including: The Origins of Judaism - Questions  and The Origins of Judaism - Cognitive Content Dictionary.

CNN Student News and Mapping Historical Events

Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion, 1986

Tienanmen Square Massacre, 1989

Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989

Nelson Mandela Freed, 1990

Terrorist Attacks on the U.S., 2001

Hurricane Katrina, 2005

CNN Student News and Mapping Historical Events  CNN Student News is featuring a special segment n which they are looking back at some of the major news stories that have made headlines and history since 1980. Though these historical events are not necessarily current, they certainly can't be considered ancient either. Identify one or two news stories that you can pinpoint geographically and place on the Current Event layer of your Social Studies World Map via Google Maps. 

A partial list of some of the events featured in the CNN Student News segments can be found below:

Assassination Attempt of President Reagan (1981)

Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion (1986)
Rescue of Baby Jessica (1987)
Exxon Oil Spill (1989)
Tienanmen Square Massacre (1989)
Fall of Berlin Wall (1989)

Bay Area Earthquake (1989)

Nelson Mandela Freed from Prison (1990)

First Gulf War (1991)

Bosnian Civil War (1992)

Waco Standoff (1993)

World Trade Center Bombing (1993)

Rwanda Genocide (1994)

Oklahoma City Bombing (1995)

Death of Princess Diana (1997)

Florida Vote Recount (2000)

Terrorist Attacks on the U.S. (2001)

Launch of War in Iraq (2003)

Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster (2003)

Tsunami (2004)

Hurricane Katrina (2005)

Killing of Osama Bin Laden (2011)

Trayvon Martin Verdict (2013) 

Be selective. You can't pin all of these events today. Which are you most interested in learning more about? Once you've decided on an event, you need to research where it took place. What happened there? Who was involved? When did it happen? Why was it significant? These are just some of the questions that good reporters ask. After you title your historical event on your map, include the answers to some of these questions as part of the accompanying text. Remember, you can also include an appropriate image or video that relates to the event.

The Ancient Hebrews: The Origins of Judaism (Day 2)

Of all the stories in the Hebrew Bible the Exodus is among the best known and most influential.

 Unit Focus Question  How did the Hebrews have a lasting impact on Western Civilization? 

 Today's Focus Question  What were the origins and early beliefs of the Hebrews?

The Origins of Judaism: Guided Reading  Today we will read in small groups about the 'Origins of Judaism' from an excerpt from our Social Studies workbooks below. As you read, please consider the following questions:

•  How did the beliefs of the Hebrews differ from those of other people at the time?
•  What happened during the Exodus? Why do you think this event is considered so  significant to the  ancient Hebrews and to Jewish people today? 

You will record the answers to these questions on the assignment Origins of Judaism - Questions, which can be found in your Social Studies Google Classroom. I've included a PDF of the reading passage below in your Social Studies Google Classroom as well. 

Homework  Complete the assignment Origins of Judaism - Questions, which will be due on Friday, December 4. 

The Ancient Hebrews: The Origins of Judaism

Abraham is considered one of the patriarchs of the early Hebrews. 

 Unit Focus Question  How did the Hebrews have a lasting impact on Western Civilization? 

 Today's Focus Question  What were the origins and early beliefs of the Hebrews?

Introduction to the Unit  From our textbook: "The study of the Jewish people (the Hebrews) provides an excellent opportunity to show how a relatively small group of people can have a major impact on other peoples and on the course of history. Although the Jewish people were often enslaved or defeated in wars, their beliefs and writings influenced many civilizations."  

The Origins of Judaism: Vocabulary Study  Next, we will study the key vocabulary related to the origins of Judaism, using the document The Origins of Judaism - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which can be found in your Social Studies Google Classroom. We will be using an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook, which has been can also be found in Google Classroom (as well as here), to help us understand the lesson's key words and concepts. Some images have also been posted below to help you conceptualize these new terms.

Judaism may have been the first monotheistic religion, but it would not be the last. 

Ethical behavior is an important part of the religion of Judaism. 

According to the Bible, God made a covenant with Abraham. 

Moses and the Ten Commandments. 

There was a large migration of ancient Hebrews from Egypt into the "Promised Land." 

CNN Student News and Current Event Mapping  As we watch CNN Student News today, identify one or two news stories that you can pinpoint geographically and place on the Current Event layer of your Social Studies World Map via Google Maps. 

Paris, France; Turkey and Syria; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin were all featured in today's segment. After pinning at least one of these places on your map, consider the most important question: What happened here? You should include a title for the event, the date(s) the event took place, a brief summary of what happened, and include an appropriate photo or video.

Homework  Complete the assignment The Origins of Judaism - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which will be due on Friday, December 4. 

From Egypt to the Promised Land

From Egypt to the Promised Land: 'The Prince of Egypt'  As we end our unit on the ancient Egyptians and start to learn about another group, the Hebrews, I thought it would be interesting to examine a moment in history where these two distinct ancient peoples intersected. Today we will begin to watch part of the movie The Prince of Egypt. However, before we do, let's watch the brief video below so we have some background and historical perspective on the origins of the Hebrews and development the religion of Judaism.

Look Up and Look Around

Movie: "Children of Heaven"  Today we will continue our screening of the Iranian film "Children of Heaven." As you watch, continue to make note of the similarities and differences between our two cultures. Additionally, continue to analyze the traits of the film's main characters. Who are they as human beings? How do you know? You will continue to use the Children of Heaven - Study Guide to keep track of your notes and ideas.

Reflection and Discussion  At the conclusion of "Children of Heaven," take some time to reflect. How has this movie and the lessons of the past week changed your ideas about people from the Middle East and the religion of Islam? Before you saw this movie, did you think differently about people from this part of the world than you do now? Has this movie challenged or changed any stereotypes that you used to have? Write your response in the space provided within your Children of Heaven - Study Guide. Next, identify one idea that you wrote down that you think is important enough to be shared with the members of your group and potentially with the whole-class. Be prepared to discuss.  

Video of the Day: "Look Up"  As we inch closer to the beginning of Thanksgiving Break, which will no doubt filled with gadgets of all sorts, from Chromebooks, to iPhones, to Xboxes, to Play Stations, to Androids, and everything else in between, I find it necessary to remind you to occasionally, "look up." Take a moment to look up from the screens that play such a huge roll in our daily lives nowadays and try to truly see what is happening all around you. Look up and see your family and friends. Look up and see what is happening in your community. Look up and see what is taking place right now across the nation and the world. Do not become so beholden to your gadgets and their screens that you fail to witness that actual life is unfolding all around you. Look up, look around, and see! Enjoy the video!   

Homework  Complete the Children of Heaven - Study Guide, which is due Tuesday,November 24. 

"Children of Heaven" and Challenging Muslim Stereotypes

Zahra and Ali from "Children of Heaven" 

Building Background: Iran and Muslim Stereotypes  Last week, students in Ms. Rainey's class challenged you to examine your own knowledge and stereotypes about Muslims and the religion of Islam. You participated in a pre and post survey intended to measure your understanding and biases and watched an illuminating video produced by students presenting information about an often misunderstood group of people and religion. Today we are going to continue examining our own stereotypes and learning about people of the Middle East and the religion of Islam. 

Our focus today is on the people of Iran. Iran is  an important country in the center of the Middle East, and its people have a rich history dating back to ancient times.  

Iran also has a complicated relationship and history with the United States of America. Due to disagreements between the governments of our two countries, tensions exist. The image of the Iranian people that is often portrayed in the media is of a violent people that hate America and wish to do us harm. Images like the one below have been broadcasted on the news for years. If this is the only picture your see of Iranians, it could certainly shape the way you see them. 

Is this image representative of who the people of Iran are and how they feel about Americans?

And to be fair, the Iranian government and media is also guilty of pushing propaganda about America and Americans. As a result, the view of Americans for some Iranians is also likely skewed. How do we overcome these misrepresentations, stereotypes, and propaganda? I believe it starts with understanding our shared humanity. 

Below I have included some images from Humans of Tehran, which is a Facebook page dedicated to capturing the humanity of the people of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Do the people in these pictures seem that much different from us? Do they change the way you see Muslims and people from the Middle East? 

Finally, watch the short video "Discover Iran in 2 Minutes" and see if you see Iran and its people in a new light.  

           

Movie: "Children of Heaven"  Now we will watch the film Children of Heaven which tells the heartwarming story of the relationship between a brother and sister from Iran. As you watch, pay attention to both the similarities and differences between your culture compared to that of the people of Iran depicted in the film. Also make note of the central characters' character traits. What human qualities do they exhibit? Finally, consider your own stereotypes you may have had about Muslims and/or people from the Middle East? Has this movie and today's lesson challenged or changed they way you see people who follow the religion of Islam and/or who live in this part of the world? If so, how? You will use the Children of Heaven - Study Guide, which can be found in your Social Studies Google Classroom, to keep track of your notes and ideas.