World Religions

[Mickey]

Any good book suggestions for a 5 yo? I've heard that Sacred Myths : Stories of World Religions is good, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate for a 5 yo (going to look it over next time I'm in Barnes and Noble). Don't want to overwhelm him, just let him know that there are other religions and beliefs out there.

[PamE]

Hi Mickey! :) In our book "What Every First Grader Needs to Know" it talks about various religions and how to discuss them with your children. It probably lists resources too. Of course I can't find that book right now :tearhair: or I'd give you some more details!

[arianna]

MM! We don't specifically study world religions. When we are studying a country, culture or simply just reading a book that makes reference to some far away land, I fall back on MY collection of world religion books to simply explain to the boys the major concepts of different religions.

Just learning the continents of the world can transition to what the major religions are and what they are about. Stories from far away lands can transition into religion as well.

Greek and Roman mythology
Yuji and the Ocean by Jim Tobin
Minglo moves the mountain by Arnold Lobel
Irish Faery tales
Tut's Mummy by Judy Donnely
The Witch Next door by Norman Bridwell
A Midsummer Night's Dream by Lois Burdett, Shakespeare for kids series.
Temple Cat by Andrew Clements
How do you spell GOD ! by Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman
Count your way through India by Jim Haskins.

Mickey, I bought a few books on books and by far my top 2 are :
Books to Build on by ED Hirsch
Take any Book by Neil Stitt

Books to build on is a reference book. It's designed to help you select books on certain topics and age levels. Take any Book, is also a reference book. It gives you hundrends of ideas and activities to allow you to teach from the books you have rather than use "READING" books. ßß!
`

[Lynda/WA]

I can't recommend any specific books. Since PamE brought up the 1st grade book, I looked at my kindergarten book from that series. The only reference to religion there is the pilgrims. At least that's timely!

I like Arianna's suggestion of just letting it flow in with whatever you are discussing. The geography and culture. Maybe in with the holidays as well. Like thanksgiving coming up. you can say WHY the pilgrims came to America. There are so many different fables and folktales that involve religion. And many of these are written in kid book form.

And on Nov 15 is the Japanese festival Shichi-Go-San. or Seven-Five-Three. It's for boys 3 or 5 yrs old and girls 3 or 7. They dress up in their best clothes, western or kimonos, and go to the shrine or place of worship with their families. Each brings a long, narrow paper bag that is decorated with symbols of youth and long life (pine tree, tortoise, and crane. At the shrine they give thanks for the good health of the children and ask for a blessing for the future health and happiness of the children. outside the shrine the parents buy candy and toys to fill the bags. At home the children give some of the candy to visiting family and friends. In return they often get gifts. And the day may end with a party. I got this out of the Childcraft book on Holidays and Birthdays. I know there are plenty of books on holidays though. To bad this is so soon after Halloween! Sounds like fun.

[Mickey]

Thank you, Pam! I'll have to get the "What Every Kindergartener/First Grader Needs to Know" books! Do you find that your kids are "in different grades" with different subjects?

That's a great idea, Ari, about discussing it while discussing different countries and cultures! He's learning about the continents now and I'll mention/incorporate the religions that way. And I'll definitely get Books to Build On and Take Any Book! They sound great!

Lynda, the craft book sounds wonderful, too! Great suggestion to tie traditions and holidays in with the various religions! I'll do a search on world holidays and traditions and see what I come up with!

Thank you SO much, guys! I really appreciate it!

[AnnW]

Mickey..those "everything you need to know" series are really good. We have used them.
Also, like Arianna says, incorporating is a great way to learn. Many schools are going to that model for all grades, and it is so much fun for the kids! Our's has been doing it for quite a while, and I am really seeing it used to it's full advantage with ds in middle school.

[Mickey]

Thanks, Ann!

That's great that the schools are incorporating it! I usually find teaching moments and roll with whatever topic comes up and we have discussed different cultures and such...I just wanted to find a way to introduce world religions (they haven't really "come up" yet) without getting too heavily into them. And I don't want to confuse him, just make him aware that other people believe different things.

[Sasha Rowan]

Mickey

I use reading books that just happen to cover some aspect of a religion and then discuss how it relates to how we do it. For Chistmas, our library places many books on a special table and the librarians are great at finding books with the simplest desciptions.

My ds is 5 BTW.

[Mickey]

Thank you, Sasha! I'll be at the library tomorrow and will for some simple reading books while there.