Presents a 21-item questionnaire that teachers can use to discover their personal beliefs and biases about how individuals in different cultural, gender, racial, and religious groups learn best. Answers for each question are discussed, and brief descriptions of two research projects testing the impact of teaching to various learning styles are…

Presents a secondary school lesson plan to help students recognize the status of Native American religious rights in the United States. Includes a list of presentation topics for student research. Provides learning objectives, step-by-step teaching procedures, and three student handout masters. (CFR)

Three areas in the religious education debate are: the religious developmental stages of the child, the concept of religious experience, and the language of religious education. In a compromise view, religion may be presented objectively, as a controversial issue. (SJL)

Considers the religious rights of prison and jail inmates and discusses the role of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that was passed in 1993 granting people greater rights to practice their religion. Proposes an instructional idea where students discuss the benefits and challenges of allowing inmates to practice their religions within an…

Suggests five guidelines that can be used by teachers and local school district policy committees to accommodate the religious diversity of students while meeting the five historic goals of public schools. Points out emerging issues facing those concerned about religion and First Amendment rights of students and parents. (LS)

The growing movement for teaching about religion in the public schools, as distinguished from religious instruction or devotional exercises, reflects widespread concern regarding the phenomenon of religious illiteracy and the lack of knowledge or understanding of the significant role played by religion in U.S. life, past and present, and in world…

The two week course on comparative religions for secondary grade students consists of nine mini-packets. Course objectives for each student are to write a paragraph explaining the fundamental doctrines and concepts of the world religions that he chooses to study and to list the name and address of specific places of worship in the county in which…

Educators find themselves accused of teaching students the religion/philosophy of secular humanism. Considering the size and potential of the secular humanism controversy, it is most important that educators understand what they are being accused of teaching. Academic freedom is at stake. (Author/RC)

Various perspectives on the inclusion of death education in health education curricula are offered. Discussed are: (1) positive and negative attitudes toward death; (2) teacher competence, qualifications, and skills; (3) religious beliefs about death; (4) Kubler-Ross's Five Stages of Dying; and (5) political implications of teaching about death.…

This packet, developed by the Public Education Religion Studies Center (PERSC), provides the classroom teacher with materials which are helpful in designing and teaching courses or units on world religions. For a description of the purpose and activities of PERSC see related document SO 008 363. The packet contains three articles by nationally…

Maintains that an effective way to increase student interest in the sociology of religion is to have them engage their own denominational traditions. Asserts that, for this approach to work, the instructor must be equally engaged, equally accountable, and equally vulnerable. (CFR)

Describes the main features of a new method for teaching religious education to children. Compares this method to other British religious education approaches. The "gift method" approach begins with the child receiving some easily understood component of a religion (song, prayer, material object) then progresses to a more complex…

Encourages engaging students in critical and empathic analysis of biblical inerrancy and discrepancies between biblical and scientific information. Premises arguments on teaching experience as an English literature professor. Stresses respect for religious differences while developing critical thinking habits. Emphasizes importance of…

Maintains that the past two decades have seen a remarkable growth in alternative education options, particularly home schooling. Asserts that the parents' religious and moral beliefs are primary reasons for the home schooling movement. Reviews research on home schooling and calls for more relevant lines of inquiry. (CFR)

Discusses the role of religious education in British schools and what characteristics are appropriate for teaching this subject. Asserts that the Western concept of spiritual education is divided between a religious and a secular approach to curriculum development and instructional methods. (CFR)