Values and Beliefs
Our understandings, beliefs and perceptions shape the way we look at ourselves, our families, our communities, our world. Our beliefs about the realm of the spiritual affect our social, ethical, political, and other selves.
Classroom Activities
Discovering Prayer
A range of activities to help lower and middle school students begin to explore ways of praying. Link to activity
Love Your Neighbor?
Small teams of students reflect on three different texts that focus on "neighborliness"; one from the Jewish tradition, one from the Christian tradition and one from Islam. Students answer questions related to each text and to their own thinking. For middle and upper school students. Link to activity
Right or Wrong?
This exercise, for middle and upper school students, begins with individual reflection, is followed by small group discussion, then ends with a larger group consensus about what makes things right and wrong. The aim is to give students greater insight into the sometimes complicated issues of what is right and wrong. Link to activity
Questions for Students
Is there an ultimate "right" and "wrong"?
How do you determine which is right when you have two rights?
What stories, or myths, give you meaning?
What do you have on your facebook/ myspace page? Imagine a page that best describes you- is it different than the one you have now? How?
What truths and values do I live by, and from whom did I learn them?
Do I believe that people are born with some of their beliefs? Why? Which ones?
Questions for Schools
What opportunities do our students have to process their values?
Does our school live out its mission, and revisit it?
Do our students support the mission?
How does your schedule, curriculum, and disciplinary code align with the school values?
Do we create space/time for students to live out their beliefs, from a variety of traditions, in personal and communal ways?