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6th grade · Social Studies · Unit 8 of 9

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.

Maine Learning Results learning standard: History 2 · the origins and central teachings of major world religions

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 Maine

In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 8 of 9 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: Maine 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…

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

  2. Question 2

    According to the table, which belief system is linked with Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)?

    Origins of some major belief systems
    Belief systemBeganFounder or key figureImportant texts
    Islamabout 1,400 years ago, Arabiathe Prophet Muhammadthe Qur'an
    Buddhismabout 2,500 years ago, South AsiaSiddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)the Tripitaka
    Christianityabout 2,000 years ago, Southwest AsiaJesus of Nazareththe Bible
    Hinduismmore than 3,000 years ago, South Asiano single founderthe Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita
    • Christianity
    • Islam
    • Buddhism
    • Hinduism

  3. Question 3

    The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are central teachings of which belief system?

    • Confucianism
    • Judaism
    • Islam
    • Buddhism

  4. Question 4

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

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

    • ☸️Buddhism
    • 🛕Hinduism
    • ⛪Christianity
    • 📜Confucianism
    • ☯️Daoism
    • 🕌Islam

  5. Question 5

    Islam began in the early 600s CE, when the Prophet Muhammad began preaching in which city?

    🕌
    • Rome, in Italy
    • Athens, in Greece
    • Babylon, in Mesopotamia
    • Mecca, in Arabia

  6. Question 6

    How did Buddhism spread from India to China?

    • Roman soldiers brought it
    • Monks and merchants carried it along trade routes like the Silk Road
    • The Maya sailed it across the ocean
    • It was carved on Hammurabi's stele

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