- What do the images and stories behind the Hindu deities convey about their nature?
- Is Hinduism a monotheistic or polytheistic religion?
State Standards: 2.1a, 2.3a
Skills:
- organize information into a graphic organizer
- create and write a story based on an image
Materials:
Cloths/images
PowerPoint/projector
Dry erase board with markers
Students’ notebooks or loose-leaf paper
Do Now (3 min.):
Show Shiva image. “What details do you notice? What do you think they symbolize?”
Mini-Lesson (7 min):
“One way to learn about a culture and a religion is through its stories. Stories can be told in words and pictures. We’re going to come up with and learn about some of the most famous stories from Hinduism by looking at pictures. In this lesson, I want you to take notes using a chart.”
Fill out the chart as a class.
Pair work: (5 min)
“I bought these cloths in India. They depict different Hindu deities with their accompanying animals and objects. With your partner, write a two-minute story that you will share in front of the class. Explain the clothes, the objects, and the setting in the image. The story should express some concept in Hinduism. Both of you need to write the story in your notebooks. When you present, both of you will have to speak, so decide how to divide it up.”
Share (2 min):
Call on the Rama image to present first. The teacher fills out the chart on the board, while the students fill out their charts.
Mini-Lesson (30-40 min):
Through the PowerPoint, the teacher gives the “Popular Interpretation.” Students fill out their charts.
Work through the PowerPoint presentation, alternate with students presenting their stories.
Wrap-Up Discussion (3 min):
“Is Hinduism a monotheistic or polytheistic religion?”
Reiterate the concept of brahman.
"What did you learn about the Hindu gods?"
Assign Hinduism poster and paper.
