The origins of monotheism, the geography of ancient Israel, the kingdoms of Judea and Israel, the spread and influence of Judaism
Ancient Israelites unit contains 4 learning experiences.
Learning Experiences (Lessons) in Ancient Israelites Each learning experience takes about 45 minutes to teach in the device-enabled classroom.
The Origins of Monotheism
Students are introduced to the Biblical figure of Abraham, considered the father of monotheism. They read a passage from the Hebrew Bible and learn about the relationship between God and Abraham. Then, they create a concept map of the key features of monotheism. Next, they outline the structure of the Hebrew Bible and illustrate one of the Ten Commandments. Finally, they describe life in ancient Israel based on a Biblical passage about Abraham.
Geography and the Ancient Israelite Religion
Students learn how geography and the exodus from slavery in Egypt affected the ancient Israelite religion. First, they learn that drought is common in this region, and famine led the Hebrews to migrate to Egypt. Then, they learn about Moses, the exodus, and Passover, and how they are central to Judaism. Next, students learn about the Israelites’ entrance into Canaan, the peoples that were already living there, and the settlement of the twelve tribes. Finally, they analyze the relationship between the Israelites’ religious festivals and the agricultural seasons.
The Kingdoms of Ancient Israel
Students learn about the ancient Israelite kingdoms and the Biblical prophets. First, they listen to the Biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. Then, they examine the sequence of the three kings of the united kingdom—Saul, David, and Solomon—and the split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Then, they identify the Babylonians as the empire that destroyed the Holy Temple and sent the Jews into exile. Finally, they learn about the Biblical prophets and analyze a prophetic passage.
The Spread and Influence of Judaism
Students learn about the contributions of Judaism to Western civilization. First, they learn about the Second Temple period, and they build a brief timeline of major events during the periods of the two Holy Temples. Then, they learn about the rise of Judaism and they contrast it with the ancient Israelite religion. Finally, they learn about major concepts of Judaism and how Judaism has influenced other cultures and religions, and they evaluate how passages from Judaic sources reflect these concepts.
