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6th grade · Social Studies · Unit 7 of 12

World Beliefs

Origins of major belief systems

What your child practices

Where and when major religions and philosophies began (Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Christianity, Islam), their key figures, texts and ideas, described respectfully and factually.

Arizona Academic Standards learning standard: 6.H3.2 · the world's major religions and how they compare

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Judaism and Christianity began in Southwest Asia; Hinduism and Buddhism in South Asia; Confucianism and Daoism in East Asia.
  2. Christianity follows Jesus of Nazareth. Karma (Hinduism, Buddhism) means actions affect your future. Daoism seeks harmony with the Dao.
  3. Constantine's Edict of Milan (313 CE) granted religious freedom.

Example: Where did Confucianism begin? Confucius was a teacher in ancient China. China is in East Asia. Answer: East Asia

World Beliefs in Arizona

In the Arizona Academic Standards, this is unit 7 of 12 in 6th grade Social Studies, after Greece & Rome and before Trade Networks.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Confucius taught that society works best when…

    📜
    • people worship only one god
    • people respect family and elders, and rulers govern with good character
    • everyone lives alone in the wilderness
    • there are no rulers at all

  2. Question 2

    Which three religions are called 'Abrahamic' because they trace their roots to Abraham?

    • Judaism, Christianity and Islam
    • Confucianism, Daoism and Shinto
    • Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism
    • Judaism, Hinduism and Daoism

  3. Question 3

    Daoism teaches people to live in harmony with…

    ☯️
    • the laws of the Roman Senate
    • the pharaoh's commands
    • the rules of the marketplace
    • the Dao, the natural way of the universe

  4. Question 4

    The Five Pillars (faith, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage) are central practices of…

    • Hinduism
    • Daoism
    • Greek religion
    • Islam

  5. Question 5

    Where did each belief system begin? Sort them by region.

    Sort into: ⛰️ South Asia · 🏯 East Asia · 🏜️ Southwest Asia

    • 🛕Hinduism
    • ☸️Buddhism
    • 🕌Islam
    • 📜Confucianism
    • 🕍Judaism
    • ☯️Daoism

  6. Question 6

    Christianity is based on the life and teachings of…

    ⛪
    • Confucius
    • Siddhartha Gautama
    • Jesus of Nazareth
    • Hammurabi

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