Group 4 SSE / Teen Youth Classes

Lesson Plan

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Lesson : 3 Date :
Centre :
Title : Unity in Diversity Guru :

Lesson length : 2 hour 30min

Lesson Objectives : At the lesson of lesson, adolescent will be able to:

1. Analyse the diversity in culture and religions and evaluate

their perceptions about the differences
2. Discuss the element of brotherhood and citizenship by
suggestion of practical ways to avoid disharmony
3. Show the capacity in identifying currents issues leading to
disharmony and practice of brotherhood/citizenship to
value harmony

Value and : Non-Violence

Sub value Brotherhood, Citizenship

Lesson Flow:
Introduction : Introduction will start with a word splash game.Teens are encouraged to
sit in one big circle or smaller group circles (depending on class
(40 min) number). Each teen should have a small piece of paper with them. The
term religion will be introduced to teens and they are asked to describe
religion (within the context of their perception and thoughts) in ONE
word. After writing their word down on paper, they will be required to
pass the paper to the person on their right (this means, no one will have
their own word on that paper). Each teen is then asked to give an
understanding and reasoning behind the connection of that word with
“religion” in their perspective.

Religion – : Once all words have been described and shared,

perspective 1. A discussion is stimulated under these themes:
analysis a. Why did teens choose to describe religion using this
word
b. What is the word most commonly used? Elicit an
understanding of the general crowd
c. Why are these words used to describe religion (choose
words that are not of the norm ways of religion
description) Elicit the understanding of the minorities
 Group 4 SSE / Teen Youth Classes

Lesson Plan

2. Gurus then show the video on “The DNA Journey”. The video
depicts individuals from different faith, culture and background
volunteering for a DNA test to ascertain their ancestral DNA
print. The teens are required to reflect on
a. What do you generally think of the video?
b. Why do you think the participants gave such strong
reactions to the findings?
c. How does this relate to your description on religion ie
does religion create harmony vs disharmony? What part
of a religion creates harmony and what creates
disharmony?
d. Which is more important? Practices of a religion or the
values that they teach? Teens are led to the idea that
although the religious practices differ, the values are the
same. However, individuals tend to pay attention to
practices (which are more concrete and visible) than the
values they hold (which are implicit) thus causing
attachment and ego towards own religion and create
disharmony.
Content : Content will start with Guru introducing Value and Sub-value of the
day. After a sharing session by teens, gurus will present on values held
(40 minutes) by different faiths and relate ultimately to Swami’s message on unity.

1. Teens share their experience experiencing unity by sharing their

Unity in best friend from other religion and how are they maintaining a
Diversity – healthy and “best buddy” relationship. Teens’ sharing will
The common reflect on certain values/principles (such as tolerance, sticking
values in to being happy, respecting space, right thing to do, same thought
Religion wavelength, etc). Gurus may use the following questions to
direct the response:
a. Why is this friend a “good friend”?
b. Does his religious practice come in way with your
relationship?
c. Any experience where you/your friend gave each other
tolerance/space when needed (eg respecting muslim
prayer time and not have discussion at those moments)
d. In your opinion, does your friend reflect his religion? (eg
if friend is a buddhist, and he is a happy and jovial
person, does that reflect the buddhist teaching?)
e. In your opinion, what reflects the practice of your/your
friend’s religion (whether the values the religion holds or
merely its practice alone)
2. Gurus then share the values held by different religion/faiths
(gurus may add other faiths or any other messages that reflect
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Lesson Plan

on unity/brotherhood/citizenship values held by the

religion/faith)
3. Ask teens to take out their phones, and google a teaching from
any religion and read it out loud. Share what’s the most
common teaching amongst all religions
Conclusion In conclusion, teens should be clear that despite the different practices
of religions/faiths, the values they hold are common and all lead to
40 minutes unity. It is the best practices of an individual's religion that reflects the
true values of your religion. (Becoming a better Hindu, Buddhist,
Muslim, Christian, etc). After understanding this, teens will discuss
current challenges in achieving this unity and best ways to foster
harmony through unity in diversity.
Unity in 1. Divide class into 4 groups. Assign group 1 to “Individual
Diversity – Challenges”, group 2 “Community Challenges”, group 3
Challenges “Nation Challenges” and group 4 “Global Challenges”
and 2. Each team has to discuss on current issues pertaining to unity
Overcoming that is faced by the hierarchical level. (Eg individual – egoism
causing attachment to practices, name-calling, bully, etc
community – adapting to cultural celebration, attending
“kenduri”, different cultural practices, etc nation – challenges
of a multi-cultural nation like Malaysia, global – war due to this
differences, etc)
3. Now teens in each group has to list out practical ways to
overcome the challenges (eg individual – practice of human
values, understanding ones own religion, etc community –
tolerance, understanding others religion and practices, etc
nation – support unity, inter-faith societies to promote unity, etc
global – support organizations that promote unity, forbid from
support to war instead practice and cultivate peace and
non-violence, etc)