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Sixth Graders Become Advice Columnists in Social Studies Class
Sixth grade social studies students are immersed in a unit around Hinduism and Buddhism in ancient India. An essential question in sixth grade social studies which students spend all year investigating is "How do we define civilization?" Both Hinduism and Buddhism are core belief systems of ancient India, “and are pillars of this ancient culture and civilization," says teacher Allison Schwartz.
During their study of Hindu beliefs, students found examples of reincarnation, karma, and dharma in ancient Hindu scriptures, and then created political campaigns from the perspective of various Hindu deities. To delve into the religion of Buddhism, sixth graders began by reading about the life and teaching of Siddhartha Gautama, "the Buddha." To really understand Siddharta’s teachings, sixth graders wrote advice columns based on the Buddhist teachings about happiness and the pathways people can take to achieve it. These explorations help our sixth graders get to the core of the social studies curriculum, which challenges them to compare, contrast, analyze, and connect historical perspectives and modern experiences.
Adds Ms. Schwartz, "The students were able to apply the teachings of Buddha to the most important aspects of their very own lives: schoolwork, friendships, and how they interact with their families at home. For many students this is how they learn information, when they are able to apply it and think about it critically and meaningfully. I encourage them to listen to their own advice!"
Read below for some examples of the students’ advice columns. MORE PHOTOSZoe W.
When you think of happiness do you think of hot chocolate, candy, good grades, your computer, or no homework? That is happiness, but do you ever think about the real definition? Happiness is when you get what you desire, but what happens when you lose what you desired? You suffer. Life is full of suffering. Desire is suffering! In order to stop suffering you need to stop desire. The way to stop desire is to follow eight steps. Some of these steps are: try to not gossip or lie; try to live with love, peace, and selflessness; try to be honest; and try to do only good.
Joya T.
Joya T.
Happiness. It is something that everyone wants. It is something that everyone desires. The question is, how do you find true happiness? For every teenager, life is hard. Balancing a lot of schoolwork with family and friends. Buddhism in my eyes is the answer to this wanted happiness. Most people think when they get things they are happy, but that is not true. To be truly happy you must first understand and accept that the world is full of suffering. Then you must recognize that the source of your suffering is desire. For when you lose something you have, or do not get something you want, you suffer. Once you get that you must give up your desires. This sounds crazy but happiness will come. Lastly, Buddha tells us to follow the Eightfold Path, filled with moral laws on how to be a good person. Being a good person makes you feel good as well.
Max B.
Max B.
Have you ever wanted to establish true happiness and enlightenment? Did you fail miserably? If so, then you probably weren’t following the advice of my good friend, Prince Sid. That's short for Siddhartha Gautama. He’s very wise and he's found out lots of things that will help make you a happy, fulfilled person. He has found out that all suffering is inevitable, and it’s caused by desire. That means that the only way to get rid of suffering and be a happy person is to remove desire. He's written a list of 8 things you must accomplish to get rid of desire; they're called the Eightfold Path.
Eli K.
Eli K.
When you are aware of your emotions, then you can see what to do to help. But when you are TOO attached to your emotions, then you can become selfish when others need you.
Julia K.
Julia K.
Do you have a lot of homework every day? I do. Do you like doing homework? I don’t. Buddha has a tip to help you finish your homework. You have to concentrate on your homework. Try not to get distracted. Finish your homework before watching TV and playing games, so you can get it done with and relax. This is one of the Eightfold Paths, right concentration.
