grade 8 religion assignments

• My Storyboards

Teaching World Religions

World religion lesson plans.

By teaching world religion in conjunction with history and social studies, students are able to gain a better understanding of the history and region they are studying. It also allows them to become greater and more compassionate world citizens and engage with a diverse array of cultures and people. For focused lesson plans, check out the following resources!

Teaching about various world religions is a vital component to the study of world history, geography, and culture. Many educators avoid teaching religions for fear of inadvertently offending someone, misrepresenting a religion, or to avoid the appearance of promoting one set of religious beliefs over another, which would be inappropriate in a secular education. However, when taught in a respectful, unbiased, and academic manner, the study of religion is a powerful way for students to learn more about world history and the belief systems that have influenced human culture for millennia.

It is estimated that 85% of the world's population practice some form of religious tradition . Students should learn why people around the globe practice various religions, why it matters to them, and what celebrations, festivals, and types of worship are embedded in their culture. Religions have impacted every aspect of human history from philosophical ideas, art, music, architecture, societal and family traditions, to politics and law. Therefore, studying different types of religions can help students understand the beliefs and motivations of people around the globe, breaking down stereotypes and leading to increased cultural awareness.

One important reason to dismantle religious-based stereotypes through education is to combat bigotry and hate directed at people of different religious beliefs. In 2020, the United States saw its highest level of hate crimes in more than a decade, most of which were motivated by race or religion. There have been an increase in hate crimes targeting our Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh neighbors. Sadly, many of these incidents are found in schools. Another important reason to include the study of different religions is to ensure that all of our students of various cultures and religious backgrounds feel safe, seen, respected, and included. Learning about different religions is helpful for students to understand the beautiful diversity as well as the many commonalities that exist. We have a duty to educate our students to encourage understanding, respect, and tolerance to create a more peaceful world for all.

We have six lesson plans that focus on the six largest world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism. These lesson plans include activities on the main facts about each religion, vocabulary, popular holidays as well as a literature connection and biography research project to help students further connect with history and their education. They can also serve as inspiration to teach about other religions if there is room in the curriculum.

Basic Information

The lesson on the main facts about each religion include its place and date of origins, founders, holy book, items or sacred objects, main beliefs or tenets, houses of worship, religious leaders, and population . This is an effective way for students to record the main ideas about each religion using imagery and descriptions. It is especially helpful for students to reference later, when they are analyzing the similarities and differences between each religion.

Holidays and Festivals

Holidays and festivals play an important role in religious traditions. They often are based on seasons, historical events, myths, and important people within the belief system, and they can impact the cultures in which a religion is practiced, especially if it is the main religion in a region. After researching the main holidays celebrated within a particular religion, students can record their findings in a spider map.

Religious Vocabulary

When delving into history, new places, and cultures, previewing vocabulary is a helpful way to increase student understanding. Some terms may be similar across regions and religions, while others are specific to each practice. As students become familiar with the vocabulary related to the religion they are studying, they can record important terms in a spider map, which allows them to also visualize the word for better retention. These can also be printed out as flashcards or hung on the wall as part of a word wall.

Making Literature Connections

Using read alouds and literature is a powerful way for students to become familiar with the central stories of a particular faith and to gain a deeper understanding of its founders and followers. Additionally, exposing students to literature about people who are different from them can also foster empathy and understanding. Students are better able to connect to a diverse group of people. Using a narrative storyboard, students can create a graphic novel that illustrates and describes the major events of the story in sequential order. It allows them to make connections between subjects as well, combining literature with history. Stories can be pulled from religious texts, biographies, picture books, and folktales from the region the religion is from.

Creating Biographies

Biographies are an essential part of any history or social studies unit. Researching real people from a religious tradition helps students gain greater insight that goes beyond simply memorizing dates and names and allows them to acquire a more substantial view of a particular religion and its followers. Students can research and create a biography poster that can be presented to the class. A biography can also cover a wide range of figures. Students can choose or be assigned to research people from a religious text, historical figures, and even modern day practitioners who have influenced the faith.

Comparing and Contrasting

After students have studied about the various major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Sikhism, they can create a compare and contrast chart that highlights their diversity and commonalities . This can be an effective way for students to track what they learn throughout a unit, or, it could be used as a final assessment. This following example uses text and illustrations to highlight when each religion originated, where their followers are located around the world, how many followers each religion has today and what some important imagery and beliefs are related to each. Students can even get more granular, and compare and contrast only two or three religions using a poster. This type of assignment may require more research, and can be a helpful base for a larger report.

How to Foster Critical Thinking about World Religions

Establish a safe and respectful learning environment.

Create an inclusive and respectful classroom environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions about world religions. Encourage open-mindedness, active listening, and mutual respect among students.

Introduce Different Religious Perspectives

Provide an overview of various world religions, highlighting their beliefs, practices, and historical contexts. Present a balanced representation of different religious perspectives, allowing students to explore the diversity within and across religious traditions.

Encourage Questioning and Inquiry

Promote critical thinking by encouraging students to ask thoughtful questions about religious beliefs, practices, and their implications. Foster an environment where students feel empowered to seek answers, challenge assumptions, and engage in evidence-based discussions.

Analyze Religious Texts and Artifacts

Engage students in analyzing religious texts, artifacts, and other primary sources to develop a deeper understanding of religious practices and beliefs. Encourage them to examine the historical, cultural, and social contexts that shape religious texts and how they are interpreted.

Compare and Contrast

Encourage students to compare and contrast different religious traditions, examining similarities, differences, and common themes. Guide them in identifying shared values, ethical principles, and philosophical perspectives across different religions.

Promote Empathy and Perspective-Taking

Foster empathy and perspective-taking by encouraging students to put themselves in the shoes of individuals from different religious backgrounds. Help them explore the impact of religious beliefs and practices on individuals and societies, promoting understanding and appreciation for religious diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions about Teaching World Religion

What is the most effective approach to teaching world religions in a classroom setting.

The most effective approach to teaching world religions in a classroom setting depends on various factors such as the age and background of the students, the objectives of the course, and the resources available to the teacher. However, some common strategies include emphasizing empathy and respect for different beliefs, providing accurate and balanced information about various religions, promoting critical thinking and analysis, and engaging students in experiential learning activities such as visiting religious sites or interacting with members of different religious communities. It is also important for teachers to create a safe and inclusive classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their own perspectives.

How can teachers ensure that they are being sensitive and respectful to all religious beliefs and practices represented in their classroom?

Teachers can ensure that they are being sensitive and respectful to all religious beliefs and practices represented in their classroom by following a set of strategies. First and foremost, they should educate themselves about the different religions represented in their classroom to understand their students' perspectives and avoid making assumptions or stereotypes. Teachers should avoid expressing their personal beliefs or opinions about religion and should use inclusive language that is respectful of all religious beliefs. They should create a safe and respectful classroom environment that encourages open dialogue and discussion about different religious beliefs and practices. Teachers should also be aware of and accommodate religious practices such as dietary restrictions, prayer, and holidays. They can even invite guest speakers from different religious communities to share their perspectives and experiences. The most important thing is that they recognize and appreciate the cultural differences and diversity within and across different religious communities. By following these strategies, teachers can create a more inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students, regardless of their religious beliefs.

How can teachers address controversial topics or sensitive issues related to world religions in a way that is objective and inclusive?

To ensure that their approach is objective and inclusive when addressing controversial topics or sensitive issues related to world religions, teachers can use a set of strategies. They can strive to create a safe and respectful classroom environment where students feel comfortable sharing their perspectives and asking questions. Teachers should also present factual and objective information about controversial topics and avoid expressing their personal opinions or beliefs. They should also use inclusive language that is respectful of all religious beliefs and avoid derogatory or dismissive language. It is also important to encourage students to critically analyze and evaluate different perspectives and consider the historical, social, and cultural contexts in which they developed. Additionally, they should consider diverse perspectives and experiences and avoid presenting a single narrative or point of view. Another approach is to use different resources to provide a balanced and comprehensive perspective on controversial topics. Teachers can also invite guest speakers from different religious communities or academic experts to provide additional perspectives and insights.

Try 1 Month For

30 Day Money Back Guarantee New Customers Only Full Price After Introductory Offer

Learn more about our Department, School, and District packages

• 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
• New Customers Only
• Full Price After Introductory Offer

Explore 8th Grade Religion classroom activities to inspire and engage your students

8th Grade Religion

15 activities, community activities - religion, browse teacher-created activities from our community of seesaw ambassadors and seesaw certified educators..

Amy Pietrowski

Joanne DiPino

Elliena M.Tibayan

Samah Alhumidi

Fathima S Jhan

Browse By Subject

Browse by grade level.

Assignments

Due dates for the course assignments.

This page contains the due dates for all the assignments, quizzes, etc. for the class. You can find the details for them under the documents page.

Weekly Short Essays

Monday Sept 19th: Term from Ch 1-2

Monday Sept 26th: Term from Ch 3-4

Monday Oct 3rd: Term from Ch 5-6

Tuesday Oct 11th: Term from Ch 7

Monday Oct 17th: Term from Ch 8-9

Monday Oct 24th: Term from Ch 10

Wednesday Nov 2nd: Term from Ch 11-12

Tuesday Nov 8th: Term from Ch 13-14

Monday Nov 14th: Term from Ch 15-16

Monday Nov 21th: Term from Ch 17-18

Monday Nov 28th: Term from Ch 19

Monday Dec 5th: Term from Ch 2 0-21

Monday Dec 12th: Term from Ch 22-23

Monday Dec 19th: T erm from Ch 24-25

Monday Jan 9th: Term from Ch 28-29

Monday Jan 30th: Term from Ch 32

Monday Feb 6th: Term from Ch 33

Monday Feb 13th: Term from Ch 34

Tuesday Feb 21st: Term from Ch 35

Monday Feb 27th: Term from Ch 36

Monday Mar 6th: No essay, Sacraments paper is due.

Monday Mar 13th: No essay due.

Monday Mar 20th: Term from Ch. 37-38

Monday Mar 27th: Term from Ch 39

Monday April 3rd: Term from Ch 40

Monday April 10th: No essay, Easter Monday.

Monday April 17th: Term from Ch 41

Monday April 24th: Term from Ch 42

Monday May 1st: Term from Ch 43

Monday May 8th: Term from Ch 44

Monday May 15th: Term from Ch 45

Theological Term Quizzes

Thursday Sept 15th: The Commandments

Thursday Sept 22nd: The Sacraments

Thursday Sept 29th: The Commandments

Thursday Oct 6th: The Precepts of the Church

Thursday Oct 13th: Random from the above lists

Thursday Oct 20th: Theological and Cardinal Virtues 

Thursday Oct 27th: The Precepts of the Church

Thursday Nov 3rd: Theological and Cardinal Virtues

Thursday Nov 10th: Beatitudes

Thursday Nov 17th: Random from the above lists

Thursday Dec 1st: Beatitudes

Thursday Dec 8th: Student Choice

Thursday Dec 15th: Beatitudes

Thursday Jan 5th: Student Choice

Thursday Jan 12th: Student Choice

Thursday Jan 26th: Random

Thursday Feb 2nd: Random

Thursday Feb 9th: Random

Thursday Feb 16th: Random 

Date and details of papers later in the year are subject to change. You can find the instructions for each paper under the documents page. For each paper, the chosen topic is due at least one week before hand to ensure you do not fall behind on the papers.

Monday October 31st: Sunday Reading Paper

Monday October 24th: Reading s election is due.

Thursday December 22nd: Spiritual Exercise Project

Friday December 9th: Spiritual Exercise selection is due.

Monday March 6th: Sacraments Paper

Monday February 27th: Selected sacrament is due.

A high-level study guide will be posted for the exams. It will cover material both from the class and from the textbook.

Thursday January 19th: Midterm Exam

ACRE Standardize Religion Exam: April 25th and 27th

Thursday May 25th: Final Exam

• Try for free

8th Grade Religion

• Most Popular
• Most Recent

• Free Resources
• Bible Stories
• I Can Read Mini-Books
• My ABC Book
• Journal Entries
• Writing Prompts
• Learning Contracts (5-8)
• Learning Contracts
• Bulletin Boards/Displays
• Words of Our Pope
• Arts and Crafts
• Assessments
• Faith in Action
• Downloadable
• Living the Gospel
• Science Through Our Faith K-5
• Faith in Action K-4
• Faith In Action 5-8
• Service Learning
• Social Justice
• Faith In Action
• Project-Based Learning
• Science Through Our Faith 6-8
• S.T.R.E.A.M
• Blessed by the Beatitudes
• Kindergarten
• 1st & 2nd Grades
• Reconciliation
• Confirmation
• Holy Orders
• Anointing of the Sick
• ACRE Level 1 – 5th Grade
• 3rd & 4th Grade
• 5th & 6th Grade
• Parables in Bloom
• Saints Activities
• ACRE Level 2 – 8th Grade
• 7th & 8th Grade
• Faith Family Activities
• SEL Connection
• Mass Series
• Sacrament Series
• Faith & Mindfulness K-5
• Lectio Divina 2-5
• Faith & Mindfulness
• Lectio Divina
• Faculty Prayers
• Holiday, Event, & Themed Mass Plans
• Weekly Mass Plans
• Student Prayers

Premium Resources For Catholic Educators

Connect with

8th Grade Lessons and Worksheets

Browse our eighth grade Lesson Plans and Worksheets to reinforce your teaching in the classroom.

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy

Grade 8 Global Studies

Lesson 2: religion assignment.

Open a link to this document here .

Open any links by right-clicking and open in a new tab.

• Catechetical Programs
• Catechetical Bilingual
• Sacrament Programs
• Sacrament Bilingual
• Lifelong Learning
• Catechetical Resources
• Recursos catequéticos
• Virtual Events
• Sadlier Religion Blog
• Blog de Sadlier Religion
• Liturgical Seasons
• Catholic Faith Formation
• Preparation for First Communion
• What is Virtual Learning for Catechesis?
• About Sadlier
• Find a Sales Representative
• International Distributors
• Online Catalogs
• Sadlier Religion Site Map
• Pricing & Ordering Information
• Sadlier’s W-9
• Sadlier’s Sole Source Letter
• Sadlier’s Credit Application
• Privacy Policy
• Return Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Christ In Us, Parish Edition For Grades K–8

Flexible for Classroom and Remote Instruction

Discover Christ In Us —the new K–8 program designed to accommodate instruction in any parish or school setting—in the classroom, hybrid, or fully remote.

• NEW! Grades 7 and 8 feature a spiral and thematic approach that flexibly aligns with diocesan religion standards while providing substantive content reflecting the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
• NEW! Christ In Us Companion online training program accompanies members of the catechetical community as they learn to effectively use the online portal.
• NEW! Video Lessons feature trained catechists who summarize and highlight the most important teachings of each lesson.
• Responsive lesson-planning tools allow for preparation anywhere, at any time.
• Digital tools and resources augment learning and support and simplify planning and instruction.
• Meaningful assessments and assignments enrich learning and measure participation and growth in knowledge.
• Features to adapt the lesson for inclusion offer point-of-use options to make each experience equitable for all children.
• Social justice themes with connection to Catholic social teaching guide students in living justly and treating all people with respect.

Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Parish had an "unprecedented" 90% student response rate on assignments. Read their customer success story now.

K–6 Conformity : The Subcommittee on the Catechism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has found Christ In Us to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church .

• Kindergarten
• Student Editions 7 & 8
• Guides 7 & 8

Join us on a journey.

Choose your role and experience christ in us.

Communicate with families, monitor program participation, and support catechists with training and formation.

Plan lessons effortlessly, share assignments with children and families, and streamline communication with families.

Take an active role in understanding and participating in faith formation. Engage in meaningful tasks with rich multimedia that is relevant to how children learn today.

Parent/Family

Understand and gauge how children are progressing in lessons. Bring their Catholic faith formation directly into the home.

Plan lessons effortlessly, share assignments with your class, connect religious education with other content areas, and adapt lessons to include students with learning disabilities and special needs.

Related Resources

Learn what our customers are saying.

"I think Christ In Us is where catechesis is headed. It has solid, Catholic teaching, rooted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church . It’s in conformity with the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catechism. It’s solid in the fundamentals. But it also focuses on family catechesis, providing engaging resources for families to share faith at home."

"I was worried about the amount of work and administration remote classes would add to this year. I was ecstatic with the Christ In Us program for both remote and in-person and now that there are video lessons it is like icing on the cake! I have already decided to maintain a remote choice for parents next year. If I cannot find a catechist or need a sub for a class, I can always direct families to the online program. Excellent work Sadlier!"

" Christ In Us is an excellent resource for our Faith Formation program. The portal has much to offer such as music, videos, artwork. I like the many options that are available to create lessons and being able to adjust models to mirror our parish needs."

"This year I needed a program that would work both in-house and for distance learning. Christ In Us was the perfect answer. Easy to use, easy to understand for both in-house teachers and parents at home. It has been GREAT."

"The Christ In Us program is Catholic at its core. There are so many saints and prayers for students that I am feeling my faith deepen. I love the videos that go with each chapter. This series gives information to students at their level and hits home all the important and rich traditions and aspects of our beautiful Catholic faith."

"We love the program because we feel it gives us many options at this time of uncertainty. The parents can choose to totally home school their children in the faith, send them to the weekly sessions, or attend our zoom sessions without missing the instructions. The program also makes it easy for the families to go over the same material with all the children and delve deeper into the faith with the many different resources included in the program."

7 Tips to Bring Scripture to Life for Young Children eBook

Saints Card Game Activity

• Find Your Educational Consultant
• Review Our Catalogs

• Faith Formation
• Christ Our Life
• Christ Our Life 2016
• Christ Our Life 2016: Families

Christ Our Life: Family Resources: Grades K-8

Find activities for  Holy Week  and Easter here . 

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education

Religious Education Activities

At The Religion Teacher you can find a large collection of Catholic religious education activities for various liturgical seasons, topics, and age levels. Click on the links below to find activities for Catholic school religious education programs or parish catechesis for children and youth. The activities on these pages include crafts, worksheets, prayer ideas, and more.

Seasonal Activities

Advent Activities

Lent Activities

Easter Activities

Rosary Activities

Activity Packs & Worksheets

These products include a collection of lesson plans, worksheets, activities, and prayer ideas for teachers and catechists to use in conjunction with their regular instruction. They can be purchased by individuals or by an entire parish or school.

New Roman Missal Activity Pack

Lenten Activity Pack

Advent Activity Pack 

Lectio Divina Worksheets

Rosary Worksheets

Ten Commandments Worksheets

Works of Mercy Worksheets

Popular Activities from The Religion Teacher

Beatitudes Activities

Catholic Mass Activities

Transfiguration Activities

Catholic Ice Breaker Games

Bell Work Activities

Catholic Schools Week Ideas and Activities ( 2010 , 2011 , 2012 )

Catholic Saints Birthday Project

Ten Commandments Activity

The Living Rosary

Catholic Mass Reflection Questions

Tic-Tac-Know Review Game

End of the School Year Activities

See all free activities: The Religion Teacher Activities

Looking for more?

You can also download the free eBook, The Religion Teacher’s Guide to Lesson Planning , which includes 250 activity suggestions that any teacher can use .

Or, become a member of The Religion Teacher and gain access to more than 100 worksheets and classroom videos, plus professional development and formation opportunities with our online courses. Learn more .

About the Founder, Jared Dees

Newest Resources