Basic 9 · Religious and Moral Education · Term Project
Term Project: Caring for Creation
In this topic you will apply the term's learning through a values-based project, using discussion, reflection and action on care for creation or religious tolerance.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Plan a values-based project
- Discuss moral issues in a group
- Carry out a practical action
What you already know
- All topics covered in Religious and Moral Education this term
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 Project
Introduction
This project lets you act on what you have learned about God's creation and about living together.
1. Project Options
| Option | Task | Value |
|---|---|---|
| green school | plant and care for trees | stewardship |
| waste reduction | recycling corner | responsibility |
| river care | study and clean a stream | love of neighbour |
| festival book | booklet of festivals in Ghana | tolerance |
| interfaith talk | invite leaders to speak on care for creation | respect |
| elders' wisdom | record traditional conservation | respect for heritage |
2. Planning the Project
Start with a need. Talk to people about what they need, and what would be useful. Choose one realistic action. Write your aim in one sentence: "We will plant and care for twenty trees on the school compound this term." Plan who will do what, the resources that you need and how you will measure success. Discuss your plan with your teacher, and ask for any necessary permission.
3. Discussion Questions
| Question | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Why does this issue matter? | links to values |
| What do our religions teach? | adds faith |
| Who will benefit? | shows purpose |
| What could go wrong? | risk planning |
| How will it last? | sustainability |
4. Working Fairly
Share the work fairly among group members. Include everyone, regardless of gender, faith or ability. Girls should not be left to do all the sweeping, and boys should not take all the leadership roles. Be kind to one another, and be honest about the money or materials you handle. Keep records of what you do. This project is a test of the character that the subject teaches.
5. Safety
When working outdoors, wear suitable clothes and shoes, and use tools with care. Avoid dangerous water and mining pits. Do not handle hazardous waste. Work with an adult present. If you visit a community or a sacred place, follow local rules, and ask for permission first. Your own safety and respect for others come first, whatever the task.
6. Linking to Your Faith
Find one teaching from your own faith or tradition that supports your project. Write it in your plan, and explain how it applies. Team members may share different teachings, which enriches the work.
New words
- aim
- What a project sets out to do.
- sustainability
- The ability to continue over time.
- resources
- What is needed to do a task.
- fairness
- Treating people equally.
Summary
- Start from a real need and a clear aim.
- Discuss your project in the light of your values.
- Share work fairly and keep safe.
Class activity: Project Launch
- Choose a project.
- Write the aim and plan.
- Share it with the class.
You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. What a project sets out to do is its…
- A. aim
- B. budget
- C. ending
- D. title
Show answer
Answer: aimTerm.2. Which project links to stewardship?
- A. planting trees
- B. buying sweets
- C. playing games
- D. sleeping
Show answer
Answer: planting treesLink.3. Everyone should be included in group work.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueFairness.4. The ability to continue over time is ______.
Show answer
Answer: sustainabilityTerm.5. State three things to plan.
Show answer
Answer: Roles, resources and how to measure success.Any three.6. Why should girls not be left with all the sweeping?
Show answer
Answer: Work should be shared fairly, without regard to gender.Fairness.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- God, His Creation & Attributes
- Sub-strand
- Term Project
Introduction
Plans must become actions. This stage shows whether your values are real.
1. Doing the Work
- Gather materials and people.
- Remind everyone of the aim.
- Carry out your tasks.
- Take photographs, with permission.
- Keep a daily record.
- Solve problems as they arise.
- Thank those who help.
2. Dealing with Difficulties
Things rarely go perfectly. Seedlings may die, people may lose interest or the weather may be bad. Stay patient, and do not blame each other. Ask what can be done differently. If a tree dies, plant another, and find out why it died. Perseverance is a moral quality too. All the religious traditions praise those who keep doing good even when it is hard. Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good." The Qur'an often praises patience, too.
3. Involving Others
| Group | How to involve them |
|---|---|
| classmates | share roles and teach them |
| parents | ask for tools or advice |
| elders | invite them to bless or advise |
| religious leaders | ask them to speak |
| assembly member | ask for support |
4. Keeping a Record
| Date | Activity | Result | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | dug holes for seedlings | ten holes ready | collect seedlings |
| Wednesday | planted ten trees | good start | water daily |
| Friday | watered, added fence | all alive | check weekly |
A diary shows progress and helps you to write a report. Note what went well, and what problems you faced. Include how the work made you feel, and what you learned about others and about yourself.
5. Living the Lesson
As you work, notice how the project is changing you. Are you becoming more patient? Are you more thankful? Are you more aware of how people depend on each other? These changes are the true outcome of a values-based project. The trees or the clean stream are good results, but a changed heart is an even better one.
New words
- perseverance
- Continuing despite difficulties.
- diary
- A daily record.
- patience
- Calmly waiting or enduring.
- outcome
- A result.
Summary
- Carry out your plan and keep records.
- Stay patient when problems occur.
- Notice how the work is changing you.
Class activity: Action Day
- Carry out your project.
- Record the activity.
- Share how it felt.
You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Continuing despite difficulties is…
- A. perseverance
- B. laziness
- C. greed
- D. pride
Show answer
Answer: perseveranceTerm.2. "Let us not become weary in doing good" is from…
- A. Galatians 6:9
- B. Genesis 1:1
- C. Surah 2
- D. Psalm 1
Show answer
Answer: Galatians 6:9Scripture.3. A diary helps in writing a report.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueRecords.4. A daily record is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: diaryTerm.5. Give two ways of involving others.
Show answer
Answer: Ask parents for tools and invite elders to give advice.Any two.6. What is the deeper outcome of a values project?
Show answer
Answer: A change in the character of those who carried it out.Reflection.
Homework
- Update your project diary, and write what you learned this week.