Navigating religion in the classroom

NEA Today, Nov 2002 by O'Neil, John, Loschert, Kristen

Choose lessons and content that fit your core curriculum and standards.

Teachers should articulate the desired outcomes of their teaching and have a sound rationale for how studying religious content will help students attain learning goals.

* Set the right tone in the classroom. The classroom atmosphere must be conducive to respectful discourse. In his social studies classes, Ramirez would begin by having students talk about the golden rule (treat others as you would want to be treated), which appears in one form or another in many religions. From there, he'd tell students, "When we discuss other belief systems, we do this with respect and with an understanding that religion helps make them who they are. We're going to study this with an open mind and respect, at the same time not forgetting that we can agree to disagree, move on, and learn."

* Keep parents well-informed. "If the parents know that you will be dealing with things that can be sensitive, but that you are trained and are going to keep them informed, then they won't be surprised," says Ramirez.

RESOURCES

The U.S. Department of Education's guidelines on religious expression in public schools are posted online at ww.ed.gov/inits/religionandschools/. The site includes materials to help school districts design their own policies on religious expression and information for teachers about their responsibilities and students' rights.

Finding Common Ground: A Guide to Religious Liberty in Public Schools provides straightforward information on teaching about religion in ways that are constitutionally permissible and academically sound, The guide also addresses religious holidays, student religious clubs, and major court rulings. Download a free copy from www.freedomforum.org or order a hard copy for $19.95 from the First Amendment Center, 1207 18th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212; 615/727-1600.

Religion in American Life, a 16-title series from Oxford University Press, offers material written by scholars specifically directed at junior and senior high school students. Separate volumes cover major religious faiths in America, as well as topics such as immigration and women and religion. $24 for each title. For more information, visit www.oup-usa.org.

Taking Religion Seriously Across the Curriculum, by Warren Nord and Charles Haynes, offers thoughtful advice on teaching about religion in various content areas. Access the full text online by going to www.ascd.org/framebooks.html and linking to the author or title. Or order the print version for $18.95 from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1703 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311; 800/933-2723.