Year
8 Christian Studies
The Christian scriptures: an overview
Life in 1st Century Israel - The world in which Jesus lived.
Length: Two A4 pages of information. Marks / value: 25% of term
assessment.
Date due: Week 5, Term 2.
Outcomes
1. Outlines key geographical/political/climatic features of Israel
in the time of Jesus.
2. Identifies the social and cultural world in which Jesus lived.
Students will be able to describe
the geography and the social and political “world” of Israel in the first
century CE. They will also acquire an understanding of Jesus’ Jewish background
and of Judaism in general.
Nothing is produced in a vacuum. All things – people, writings, and
ideas – emerge from a particular social and cultural context. The Gospels – the
“good news” writings about Jesus Christ - reflect the cultural and social
aspects of life in Jesus’ day.
Task
In groups of 3, you are to prepare a
research report on ONE of the areas of New Testament life and times listed
below. You will be allocated one area of research only (per group).
Special instructions: The assignment
is to be presented to the class before it is handed in.
ASSIGNMENT PLANNER
Define the Task
Research ONE area only:
1.
Climate and geography of first century Israel.
Including: rainfall, weather
patterns, location of cities, rivers, seas, mountains, trade routes/roads, etc.
2.
Historical background of the Jewish people (prior to the first century).
Including: the history of the
Jewish people, their ancestors, kings, the north and south kingdoms, the
Hellenistic (Greek) influences and Roman rule.
3.
Society in first century Israel.
Including: Sadducees, the
Pharisees, the Zealots, the Essenes, the Scribes and other people groups –
explain their beliefs and customs.
4.
Jewish religious institutions & worship.
Including: the Temple, the
Synagogue, the Sanhedrin, the Sabbath and major Jewish festivals.
5.
Lifestyles in first century Israel.
Including: people’s
occupations, their homes and home life, marriage, parent and child
relationships, education, death rituals, and language.
Information can be found in the
Library in the Reference section and the Non-Fiction section – use the computer
catalogue to locate resources. Browse the 200’s shelves and find information on
the Internet, using some of the sites listed below.
Select and Analyse
Information can be in the form of
text, pictures, diagrams and maps. Make
notes from the resources you select.
Organise and Synthesise
Organise your information in
sections using the subheadings suggested in the ‘Define’ section above. Combine
information from the various sources you use into sentences and paragraphs,
using your own words.
Create and Present
You may present your research
assignment in ONE of the following ways:
As an A3 poster OR On
overhead transparencies (OHTs).
Each group will be given 10 minutes
to present their area of research to the class and to pose 3 questions related
to the material presented for the class to answer. The group will then submit
their research work to their Christian Studies Teacher.
Evaluate and Reflect
25% of the total mark will be
assessed on the quality of the presentation.
75% of the total mark will be
assessed on the content of the research work.
It is expected that every member of
the group will be equally involved in all aspects of the research work and
presentation, with each person able to explain a different point. A good
assignment will be well researched from a number of resources and presented in
an interesting and informative manner.
Marking Guidelines
|
Advanced |
· Highly
interesting, informative, accurate poster/OHTs with careful attention to
detail. · All
aspects of topic covered with relevant detailed information, including data
and pictures. · All
group members contribute equally and appropriately. |
|
Highly Competent |
· Interesting,
accurate poster/OHT with attention to detail. · All
aspects of topic covered with relevant information, including data and
pictures. · All
group members contribute equally and appropriately. |
|
Competent |
· Interesting
poster/OHTs with some attention to detail. · Most
aspects of topic covered with relevant information, including data and
pictures. · All
group members made some contribution. |
|
Developing |
· An
attempt to create a poster/OHTs – some informative aspects. · Some
aspects of topic covered, minimal information provided with some data and
pictures. · Group
members contribute unevenly, poor teamwork. |
|
Experiencing difficulty |
· Little
attempt to create poster/OHT. · Few
aspects of topic covered. Information, data, or pictures inappropriate or
inaccurate. · Little
evidence of teamwork. |
Some websites for this assignment
Bible places
Biblical Heritage Centre
http://www.biblicalheritage.org/
Ancient Jewish history
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/jewhist.html
Brief History of Judaism
http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/judaism.html
Bible-History .com