World Religions in 6th Grade Ancient Civilizations

One goal of the Ancient Civilizations” social studies sequence at Explorer West Middle School is basic literacy in world religions. While there is no prayer or promotion of any particular religion at Explorer West, we believe it is valuable for students to gain basic knowledge around the practices and beliefs of different religions. Public schools are often hesitant to venture into comparative religions because of controversy over the separation of church and state provisions of the U.S. Constitution.

Religions guide some of humanity’s highest aspirations to ethical behavior, as well as giving rise to remarkable art, music, and dance. Of course, religion has also been at the heart of conflict at many times in history.

In order to give students an insider’s perspective, Kumar’s mom, Rinku, visited the 6^th grade to share the artifacts and rituals of puja (worship) in Hinduism. Students viewed artifacts and icons representing different deities, and the class ended with them enjoying traditional sweets.

As the 6^th graders study civilizations from different continents, they explore world religions originating in those regions. Beginning with Paleolithic cave art connected to Cro-Magnon hunter-gatherers, students examine the purposes, symbols, and rituals of religious practice. Major religions covered in this Ancient Civilizations course include Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism, and Confucianism.

One of the important and typical realizations for students in our study of world religions is that, although diverse in their outward expression and organizations, religions have more in common than not. Also, it usually comes as a surprise to students that Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all share the same god, as well as the succession of Old Testament prophets. Religion, one of humanity's common roots, deserves careful exploration.

Thanks to Rinku for making the mysteries of Hindu puja less mysterious!

Fall Waste Audit

Good news from this year's fall waste audit. Seattle residents and businesses compost and recycle 40% of their total waste. Explorer West composts and recycles almost 60%! But, that's still not good enough, so each advisory has come up with strategies for improvement and acted these out at an assembly.

A big issue identified from this year's audit was that 75% of the compost was food that was still edible (half a sandwich, an apple, etc.). Students suggested that they could bring that food home or save it for the next lunch. Another idea was for students to pack their own lunch so they could bring just what they knew they would eat.

Another highlight includes a decrease in overall garbage weight from 16 lbs. per day last fall to 9.5 lbs. this year. That's a 40% reduction!!!

Our next waste audit is scheduled for late winter.