Activity Overview
After students gather information about Buddhism by reading informative texts, literature, or watching a video, they can display their understanding using a spider map. Students will highlight the important facts about Buddhism using illustrations and descriptions. This is a great way to help organize information and can serve as a quick reference when reviewing for tests and quizzes! This example answers the following essential questions about Buddhism:
- When and where did Buddhism originate?
- Who was the Buddha and what did he teach his followers?
- What do Buddhists believe and what holidays do they celebrate?
- What objects or symbols are important or sacred in Buddhism?
- Where are its followers today and how many people practice Buddhism throughout the world?
- How do Buddhists worship and who are its spiritual leaders?
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that describes different important facts and features of Buddhism.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create an illustration that represents each category using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a 1-3 sentence description of each cell.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Minimum of 5 cells showcasing different facts about Buddhism. Appropriate scenes to illustrate each category. 1-3 sentence description for each cell demonstrating your understanding.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
When and where did the religion originate?
Who was the founder(s) of the religion and what did they teach their followers?
What do followers of this religion believe and what holidays do they celebrate?
What objects or symbols are important or sacred to people of this religion?
Where are its followers today and how many people practice this religion throughout the world?
How do the followers of this religion worship and who are their spiritual leaders?
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facts | Text and images include a clear explanation of at least 5 important facts about the religion such as where and when it originated, who its followers are, what they believe and what holidays they celebrate. | Text and images include an explanation of important facts about the religion, but the explanation may lack clarity or there may be some inaccuracies. | Text and images do not explain important facts about the religion. Information is mostly missing or inaccurate. |
| Storyboard Images and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the facts about the religion through appropriate scenes, characters, items, symbols or infographics. Illustrations clearly show that time, care and effort have been put in. | Student attempts to convey facts about the religion through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey facts about the religion and the depictions are inaccurate or inappropriate. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
Activity Overview
After students gather information about Buddhism by reading informative texts, literature, or watching a video, they can display their understanding using a spider map. Students will highlight the important facts about Buddhism using illustrations and descriptions. This is a great way to help organize information and can serve as a quick reference when reviewing for tests and quizzes! This example answers the following essential questions about Buddhism:
- When and where did Buddhism originate?
- Who was the Buddha and what did he teach his followers?
- What do Buddhists believe and what holidays do they celebrate?
- What objects or symbols are important or sacred in Buddhism?
- Where are its followers today and how many people practice Buddhism throughout the world?
- How do Buddhists worship and who are its spiritual leaders?
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that describes different important facts and features of Buddhism.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create an illustration that represents each category using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a 1-3 sentence description of each cell.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Minimum of 5 cells showcasing different facts about Buddhism. Appropriate scenes to illustrate each category. 1-3 sentence description for each cell demonstrating your understanding.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
When and where did the religion originate?
Who was the founder(s) of the religion and what did they teach their followers?
What do followers of this religion believe and what holidays do they celebrate?
What objects or symbols are important or sacred to people of this religion?
Where are its followers today and how many people practice this religion throughout the world?
How do the followers of this religion worship and who are their spiritual leaders?
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facts | Text and images include a clear explanation of at least 5 important facts about the religion such as where and when it originated, who its followers are, what they believe and what holidays they celebrate. | Text and images include an explanation of important facts about the religion, but the explanation may lack clarity or there may be some inaccuracies. | Text and images do not explain important facts about the religion. Information is mostly missing or inaccurate. |
| Storyboard Images and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the facts about the religion through appropriate scenes, characters, items, symbols or infographics. Illustrations clearly show that time, care and effort have been put in. | Student attempts to convey facts about the religion through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey facts about the religion and the depictions are inaccurate or inappropriate. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
How Tos about What is Buddhism? Activity
Plan a Class Discussion on Buddhism Using Spider Maps
Engage students by organizing a class discussion centered on their spider maps. This helps promote speaking and listening skills while deepening understanding of Buddhism.
Set Clear Expectations for Sharing
Explain to students what a respectful and productive discussion looks like. Setting ground rules ensures everyone feels comfortable participating and sharing their ideas.
Assign Roles or Discussion Prompts
Give students roles (like facilitator, timekeeper, or note-taker) or prompts to guide conversation. This keeps everyone engaged and helps the discussion stay focused on Buddhism's key facts.
Encourage Questions and Connections
Invite students to ask questions about each other's spider maps and connect new facts to prior knowledge. This promotes deeper learning and critical thinking about Buddhist beliefs and practices.
Wrap Up with Reflection
Ask students to reflect on what they learned or found surprising during the discussion. Reflection helps consolidate understanding and makes learning more memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions about What is Buddhism? Activity
What is a spider map activity for teaching Buddhism?
A spider map activity is a graphic organizer where students visually display key facts about Buddhism in different categories, using illustrations and brief descriptions. This helps organize information for easy review and deeper understanding.
How can I quickly teach the basics of Buddhism to middle school students?
Introduce Buddhism by covering its origins, main beliefs, important symbols, holidays, and where it's practiced today. Use activities like spider maps with short readings or videos to engage students and reinforce learning.
What are the essential facts about Buddhism students should know?
Essential facts about Buddhism include its founding by the Buddha in ancient India, key teachings like the Four Noble Truths, major holidays, important symbols, and current global presence. These basics provide a strong foundation for further study.
What symbols and objects are significant in Buddhism for classroom lessons?
Common Buddhist symbols include the lotus flower, Dharma wheel, and Buddha statues. These objects can be introduced through images or drawing activities to help students recognize their meanings in Buddhist culture.
How do Buddhists worship and who leads their spiritual practices?
Buddhists often worship in temples or at home, practicing meditation, chanting, and making offerings. Monks and nuns typically lead spiritual practices and serve as teachers within their communities.
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