Discovery Box Activity Instructions:

Instructions:
This is a review activity for the end of the World Religions course. Through this
activity students can study and review for their final test/assignment in a fun and
competitive environment. Before class create 7 discovery boxes with items and symbols
that reflect the religion the box represents (Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism,
Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Native Spirituality). Label the boxes 1-7 and include a cue
card with the items in the box listed. Create a master list for your reference. You can
add a candy or toy incentive to add more to the competition (ultimately everyone will get
one)
Write the point system on the board and setup boxes with the student ballots.
Have the class break into seven teams and create a team name. Explain the rules and
point system. Have one person from each team come up and take one box and seven
ballots. Set up a timer and start the game. Collect ballots, switch boxes and repeat.
While students are working you can circulate and calculate points from previous box.
When all the boxes have been cycled back, tally up the final points and reveal the
winner. Keep in mind if there were certain things that students struggled with as further
review on those subjects can be done.

Point System:

Correct Identification- 1 Point

Explanation of Items Connection/Significance- 1 Point/Item

Rules:
1. No internet searches, notes or textbooks
2. Keep your answers to yourself
3. Be respectful of other teams, rude behaviour will lose you points
4. You can write in bullet points if it is understandable
5. You will have 5 minutes per box, when time is up you must submit your ballot
and tidy up your box
6. You cannot open the box until the teacher says start

Materials:
● Boxes labelled with numbers 1-7 with items reflecting a particular religion in each
(see examples) and cue card lists
● Large envelope
● Student ballots
● Candy/Toy incentive
 ● Timer
● Master list

Curriculum Expectations:
● identify the origins of various religions;
● explain the nature of several significant beliefs from each of the religions studied;
● relate the practices and rituals of religions to the lives of individuals

Specific Curriculum Expectations:

Origins of Religion
– describe, for one or more religious traditions, the historical and geopolitical stage on
which the specific religion emerged;
Significant Beliefs
– identify sacred beliefs from a variety of religions and explain any commonalities (e.g.,
flood narratives, creation stories);
– describe some of the symbols of the various religions, and explain how and when
they are used.
Practices and Rituals
– demonstrate an understanding of the connections between symbols and practices in
specific religions

Adaptations, Modifications, Differentiation:

● This activity can be used at any point in a course as a way to review or introduce
topics in the class
● The level of difficulty can be adjusted to meet and challenge the classes abilities
● This activity can be used in any subject area
● The activity can be run outdoors or in any setting
● This activity could also be flipped where students create their own discovery
boxes and play the game with eachothers boxes

Learning Goals:

1. Today I will learn different methods for reviewing materials and studying
2. Today I will learn what areas I need to work on

Success Criteria:
1. I can use different methods in order to study and review materials
2. I can identify and connect different symbols and items to specific religions

Extension:
● This activity would lead into further review and eventually a final test or
assignment
● Similar to what was mentioned before students could do an assignment where
they have to create a more detailed discovery box on a religion of their choosing
with a written explanation for their symbols and items. Or students could use the
discovery box method to create their own religion.