Middle School Interfaith Initiative, 2019

Faith Traditions in our Community

Stefanie Haug, MS Counselor
Sasha Bergmann, MS Ceramics Teacher
Beth Brooks, MS Librarian
Youssef Talha, MS French Teacher

Initiative Highlight:

• Comprehensive grade-wide DEI initiative involving the entire 8th grade in the exploration of an aspect of culture, family, diversity in our BBN community and larger global community
• Multidisciplinary initiative; faculty organizers represent five departments: Language, Art, English, Library Services, Student Support Services
• This initiative enacted requests put forth by students in CPPT surveys requesting more exploration of faith traditions (CPPT work completed with guidance by Lewis Bryant).
• Student feedback was predominantly positive about the entire experience and recommending it continue; feedback for change centered around increasing interactivity and length of time.

Goal:

To introduce students to the spiritual practices (key tenets, holidays, impact on daily life) of three of the world’s largest religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam, known as the Abrahamic faiths and to explore the interconnectedness of these three religions. A safe space was created for students to learn about religious/faith traditions and spiritual practices similar to and different from their own, to explore key tenets and ceremonies, and how spirituality may intersect with other areas of life and to share their own religious/spiritual practices. Interactive components included Q&A with a panel of faith leaders, questions during field trips and a culminating reflective art piece that was displayed to the larger MS community. The goal was for students to come away with a deeper understanding of religious/spiritual traditions.

Summary of the Initiative:

The 8th grade Interfaith Initiative explored the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. This interfaith experience involved a ‘flipped classroom’ online introductory slide show, a  panel discussion with leaders from the three faiths, field trips to places of worship, and a culminating reflection activity.

The eighth grade visited and toured a synagogue, a mosque, and a church over three consecutive Friday afternoons. The trips occurred during the school day with students returning in time for dismissal to sports.

The field trips went to the following places of worship:

1. Temple Beth Shalom (synagogue), Cambridge

• Groups met with Rabbi Emily Mathis
• Toured the synagogue, explored Hebrew text and rituals

2. Memorial Church, Harvard University

• Groups met with Rev. Wes Conn, Rev Laura Tuach and Ms. Morgan McNeill
• Alternated tour with ‘show-and-tell’ of sacraments, worship structure, clothing

3. The Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC) Mosque  Roxbury

• Groups met with Ms. Barbara Sahli, Education Coordinator
• Observed the Yawm al-Jum’ah service and toured the mosque

Schedule of Events:

N.B. the order of events, such as the panel occurring after the first field trip reflects larger scheduling pieces at the MS that necessitated adjustments

Thursday, January 31st (Advisory time)

• In their own time, students viewed a narrated online lesson for an introduction to the Interfaith Initiative. You can view the ‘flipped classroom’ lesson here

Friday, February 1st

• First week of field trips. Eighth grade separated into 3 groups which rotated destinations weekly.

Thursday, February 7th (Advisory time)

• Entire eighth grade - Panel discussion and Q&A with faith leaders

1. Rabbi Emily Mathis, Temple Beth Shalom
2. Ms. Barbara Sahli, Education Coordinator, ISBCC
3. Dr. Stephanie Paulsell, Affiliate Minister, Memorial Church (BBN alum parent)

Friday, February 8th 

• Second week of field trips

Thursday, February 14th (Advisory time)

1. At grade meeting the culminating art reflection activity was introduced using art displays and music from the various faith traditions. You can view the slide presentation here
2. Student began the culminating reflection activity in homerooms.

Friday, February 15th

• Third/final week of field trips

Thursday, February 21st (Advisory time)

3. Homeroom: Complete culminating reflection activity

The following week: Student Art Reflections on display in main foyer of MS.

Feedback:

At the end of the initiative, we survey students for their feedback. The graphics for some of their responses that were ranked can be viewed here

Here are some of the narrative responses students shared:

When you think about your overall experience exploring several faith traditions (background info, panel, field trips) what, if anything, would you suggest CHANGING for next year?

• I don't really have anything to change, it was set up well and each place had a good amount of time so it wasn't too long and it wasn't too short.
• I would suggest less time in each place because it was hard to listen to people speak for so long.
• The only thing i would want to change about next years interfaith topics is to make it longer. So they can really learn and explore each religion.
• Maybe reframing a little bit the panel- could have more direct questions from the students.
• The final wrap-up activity seemed unnecessary, and it would be more effective just to discuss what students learned.
• I think the unit was great and there doesn't need to be anything changed
• Yes, don't do it.
• I would strongly suggest that the trips do not take place on a Friday Afternoon. At that time, everyone just wants to leave and go home or to their games, and not go sit there and listen to someone for an hour talking at them. Maybe try it on a Wednesday Blue week and take away E-Block. Then you would have about a two hour window to use for the trips.

When you think about your overall experience exploring several faith traditions (background info, panel, field trips) what, if anything, would you suggest KEEPING for next year?

• Keep the panel - it was the most informative part, and I enjoyed getting to hear actual people's opinions.
• The panel was very affective in helping me understand the beliefs of each religion.
• Everything else. I loved the trips and the art presentation a lot.
• I think the field trips were a good idea, they just need to be more interesting and interactive so that we as students don't feel like we are going to pass out while sitting there and listening.
• Definitely the experience of sitting through the prayer session at the mosque.
• I would suggest keeping the final reflection project.
• The field trips should definitely stay similar, as they taught many things about the religions that one couldn't understand just from looking at a presentation.
• Keeping the field trips. They were fun and different and allowed for everyone to experience something new.
• I would keep the reflection part, specifically the art aspect of it because it was fun to reflect and draw as well in homeroom and talk to my friends as well.
• I would suggest keeping the schedule because it seemed like the right amount of time for this kind of field trip.
• The whole idea of exploring religion.