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Basic 9 · Religious and Moral Education · Term Preparation

Preparing for the Term in Religious and Moral Education

In this topic you will prepare for the term by recalling your earlier learning on God, creation and moral values, and by planning a values-based project.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Recall key teachings on God and creation
  • Explain how RME supports responsible citizenship
  • Plan a values-based project

What you already know

  • Religious and Moral Education, Basic 8

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Lesson 1

Strand
God, His Creation & Attributes
Sub-strand
Term Preparation

Introduction

As you reach your final year of junior high school, you are becoming an adult. The values you choose now will guide the decisions you make for years to come.

1. What You Have Learned

Review of earlier learning
AreaKey ideas
Goda Supreme Being, known by many names
creationChristian, Islamic and traditional stories
rites of passagenaming, puberty, marriage and death
moral valueshonesty, respect, stewardship
religionsChristianity, Islam and ATR

2. Why RME Matters in Basic 9

This year, you will face big decisions about your future education, your friends and how you use your time. Religious and moral teaching can help you to think about what is right. RME does not ask you to change your faith. It helps you to understand people of all faiths, and to behave responsibly. Ghana's peace depends upon citizens who treat one another with respect, whatever their religion. Religious leaders also often speak out on national issues, such as corruption and the protection of the environment.

3. Moral Decisions

  1. Stop and think before you act.
  2. Identify what is right and what is wrong.
  3. Consider how others would be affected.
  4. Ask what your faith or conscience says.
  5. Seek advice from a trusted adult.
  6. Act, and accept the consequences.

Your conscience is the inner sense of right and wrong. It grows stronger as you use it. If you ignore it again and again, it becomes easier to do wrong. Teenagers often face pressure to cheat in examinations, to lie or to follow a bad crowd. A clear process for making decisions can help you to do what you know is right, even when it is difficult.

Students at a school morning assembly
Figure 1: Morning assembly List three moral decisions that a teenager may face.

4. Examination Malpractice

Cheating in the B.E.C.E. is both wrong and against the rules. It is dishonest, and it is unfair to others. Candidates who are caught can have their results cancelled. All three religions in Ghana teach honesty. Prepare well, and trust in your own effort. A result that you earned honestly is one you can be proud of, whatever the grade may be.

New words

conscience
The inner sense of right and wrong.
moral
Relating to right and wrong.
consequence
The result of an action.
malpractice
Wrongdoing in carrying out a duty.

Summary

  • RME builds understanding and responsible behaviour.
  • Moral decisions should follow a careful process.
  • Honesty matters, especially in examinations.

Class activity: Decision Steps

  1. Read a moral problem.
  2. Use the six steps to decide.
  3. Share your reasons.

You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. The inner sense of right and wrong is…

    • A. conscience
    • B. memory
    • C. talent
    • D. luck
    Show answer
    Answer: conscienceTerm.

  2. 2. Examination malpractice is…

    • A. cheating in examinations
    • B. revising
    • C. reading
    • D. praying
    Show answer
    Answer: cheating in examinationsTerm.

  3. 3. RME asks you to change your faith.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseIt builds understanding.

  4. 4. The result of an action is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: consequenceTerm.

  5. 5. State three steps in making a moral decision.

    Show answer
    Answer: Stop and think, consider others and seek advice.Any three.

  6. 6. Why does a person's conscience grow weaker if it is ignored?

    Show answer
    Answer: Repeatedly doing wrong makes it feel normal and easier.Reflection.

Lesson 2

Strand
God, His Creation & Attributes
Sub-strand
Term Preparation

Introduction

Good values are proven by what you do. A project lets you put your beliefs into action.

1. What We Will Study

Topics for the term
ThemeTopics
God and creationpurpose of creation, God's nature
the environmentdestruction, indigenous care, reasons to care
religious festivalsmeaning, types, activities, lessons

2. Choosing a Project

A values-based project applies a moral idea in real life. It might be a tree-planting exercise, a campaign against littering or a visit to elderly people. Choose something that is linked to your learning and is within your ability. Think about who will benefit, what you will need and how you will know whether it succeeded. Discuss your ideas with your teacher, and make sure that the project is safe.

3. Planning Steps

  1. Identify a need.
  2. Choose a value such as care or service.
  3. Set a clear goal.
  4. Plan the tasks and the roles.
  5. Carry out the action.
  6. Reflect on what you learned.
Students planting trees at school
Figure 2: Planting trees Write the goal of your project.

4. Reflection

Reflection is more than saying what you did. It asks what you learned, how others responded and what you would do differently. Many religious traditions encourage reflection through prayer, meditation or quiet thought. Keep a simple journal. At the end of each week, write down one good thing you did and one thing you could improve. Over a term, you will see how you have changed.

5. Working with Others

Your project team may include people of different faiths. This is a strength. Each person can share what their tradition teaches about the value that you have chosen. Respect prayer times and food rules. If a team member is fasting, avoid planning hard physical work at noon. Small acts like this show true tolerance, and they make the work more pleasant for everyone. Good teamwork is itself a moral lesson, because it depends on trust, fairness and patience.

6. Starting Well

Begin the year with a clear purpose. Greet your teachers, help a younger learner and keep your promises.

New words

project
A planned piece of work.
journal
A personal record of thoughts.
tolerance
Respecting people who differ from you.
service
Work that helps others.

Summary

  • This term covers creation, the environment and festivals.
  • A values project turns beliefs into action.
  • Reflection and teamwork build character.

Class activity: Project Plan

  1. Identify a need in your community.
  2. Choose a value.
  3. Plan your project.

You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. A personal record of thoughts is a…

    • A. journal
    • B. budget
    • C. poster
    • D. receipt
    Show answer
    Answer: journalTerm.

  2. 2. The first step in a values project is to…

    • A. identify a need
    • B. reflect
    • C. report
    • D. celebrate
    Show answer
    Answer: identify a needSteps.

  3. 3. Respecting prayer times shows tolerance.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueRespect.

  4. 4. Work that helps others is ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: serviceTerm.

  5. 5. Suggest two values-based projects.

    Show answer
    Answer: Tree planting and visiting the elderly.Any two.

  6. 6. How is a diverse team a strength?

    Show answer
    Answer: Members share different ideas and practise tolerance.Teamwork.

Homework

  1. Start a journal, and write your first entry about your goals for the year.
Preparing for the Term in Religious and Moral Education – Basic 9 Religious and Moral Education Notes | sirbus