P R E V I E W

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Learning About World Religions: Buddhism 1

Learning About World Religions: Buddhism

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

What are the main beliefs and teachings of Buddhism?

What is happiness? How do you achieve happiness?Answer these questions by filling in the thought bubble below with words and simple illustrations.

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute2 Learning About World Religions: Buddhism

Social Studies VocabularyAs you complete the Reading Notes, use these terms in your answers.

Follow these steps to complete the Reading Notes for Sections 1–5. You may refer to the images in the Student Text as you work on each section.Step 1: Above the image, create a short headline that captures why the scene is important. For example, a headline for Section 1 might be, “A Prince Is Born!”

Step 2: On or around the image, label three or more key details in the scene.

Step 3: Below the image, write a two- to three-sentence caption that describes what is happening in the scene.

R E A D I N G N O T E S

Buddha alms Four Noble Truthsascetic nirvana Eightfold Pathenlightenment Buddhism

Caption:

Sections 1 to 5

Section 1

Headline: ___________________________________________________________________

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Learning About World Religions: Buddhism 3

Caption:

Section 2

Headline: ___________________________________________________________________

Section 3

Headline: ___________________________________________________________________

Caption:

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute4 Learning About World Religions: Buddhism

Caption:

Section 4

Headline: ___________________________________________________________________

Section 5

Headline: ___________________________________________________________________

Caption:

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Learning About World Religions: Buddhism 5

Section 6

1. Draw a simple illustration that represents the idea behind the Four Noble Truths. Write a brief caption to explain what the drawing shows.

2. Draw a simple illustration that represents the way that the Buddha thought people should take in order to end suffering. Write a brief caption to explain what the drawing shows.

3. Which of the Buddha’s teachings do you find the most interesting, and why?

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute6 Learning About World Religions: Buddhism

Conduct a mock interview with the Buddha. Create three or more questions to ask the Buddha about his experiences. Your questions should relate to these three general areas of his life:• what his life was like before becoming the Buddha• how he became the Buddha• what he believes happiness is and how one achieves itFor each question, write a response that reflects what the Buddha might say.

You may begin your interview by using the beginning sentences below, or you may write your own. Be sure to include each Social Studies Vocabulary word at least once in your mock interview.

Interviewer: Honorable Awakened One, I would like to learn more about your life and teachings.

Buddha: I will share about my life and my teachings. What is your first question?

Interviewer: My first question is . . .

P R O C E S S I N G

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Learning About World Religions: Buddhism 7

R E A D I N G N O T E SI N V E S T I G A T I N G P R I M A R Y S O U R C E S

Identifying Evidence

Consider this question: What are different ways Buddhist principles were passed down?

Examine the four primary sources in the reading, and write down evidence from each source that helps answer this question.

Primary Source 1 Primary Source 2

Primary Source 3 Primary Source 4

Use the evidence you gathered to make a claim to the question.

Claim:

I N T E R A C T I V E S T U D E N T N O T E B O O K

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute8 Learning About World Religions: Buddhism

Constructing an Argument

Create an argument to answer the question: What are different ways Buddhist principles were passed down? Your argument should:• clearly state your claim.• include evidence from multiple sources.• provide explanations for how the sources support the claim.

Use this rubric to evaluate your argument. Make changes as needed.

Score Description

3The claim clearly answers the question. The argument uses evidence from two or more primary sources that strongly support the claim. The explanations accurately connect to the evidence and claim.

2The claim answers the question. The argument uses evidence from one or more primary sources that support the claim. Some of the explanations connect to the evidence and claim.

1The claim fails to answer the question. The argument lacks evidence from primary sources. Explanations are missing or are unrelated to the evidence and claim.