Context: This lesson was designed to be taught following a lesson on the origins and beliefs of

Hinduism. These two lessons were particularly important because students were going to
take an open-note district assessment at the end of the week that asked them to compare
and contrast Hinduism and Buddhism. This modified plan assumes an ideal environment
where all students have equal access to technology.

Lesson Plan – Origins of Buddhism

Name: Megan Cavitt

Class/Subject: Sixth-grade World Cultures

Date: November 29, 2010

Student Objectives/Student Outcomes: Students will demonstrate their understanding of the

teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism by comparing and contrasting the two religions to identify
differences and similarities.

Content Standards:
16.E.3b (W) Explain how expanded European and Asian contacts affected the environment of
both continents, 1000 BCE - 1500 CE.

Materials/Resources/Technology:
- Online textbook (my.hrw.com)
- Smartboard
- Voice recorders for students who have trouble taking written notes
- Computers and the website Glogster (http://edu.glogster.com/)

Teacher’s Goals: Students will achieve the objective stated above by using knowledge acquired
during the lesson to complete a “Buddhism Countdown” stating the basic beliefs of Buddhism
and create an advertisement on Glogster explaining the differences between Buddhism and
Hinduism.

Time
5 minutes Introduction of Lesson: Project the Buddhism Countdown onto the
Smartboard and have students copy the blank countdown, leaving space to
write their own notes. Explain that Buddhism, much like Hinduism, originated
in India and then spread to other regions. Tell students to watch for ways that
Buddhism is both similar to and different from Hinduism.

15 minutes Lesson Instruction: Present a mini-lecture on the origins and teachings of

Buddhism, pausing at appropriate points to fill out the Buddhism Countdown.
Google Earth images of the Indian subcontinent can be used to give students a
sense of where Buddhism began and where it spread. Be sure to point out what
points of Hinduism Siddhartha disagreed with and which ones remained in his
teaching.

Students who have trouble taking written notes or who are worried they will
not be able to read their handwriting on the day of the test may record the
lecture with voice recorders.
25 minutes Lesson Instruction Continued: Students will use Glogster to create an
advertisement enticing people to adopt Buddhism. The advertisement should
explain 1) the basic beliefs of Buddhism, using the Buddhism Countdown
notes, and 2) how Buddhism is different from its predecessor, Hinduism. The
advertisement should be colorful and eye-catching; it should contain at least
three pictures.
5 minutes Assessments/Checks for Understanding: Return to the question posed at the
beginning of the lesson: How are Buddhism and Hinduism similar? How are
they different? Have students provide a few examples to answer both
questions.

2 minutes Closure/Wrap-Up/Review: Ensure that students have all the notes for their
Buddhism Countdown.
 Buddhism Countdown

Eightfold Path
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Four Noble Truths

1.

2.

3.

4.

Two Branches of Buddhism

1.

2.