I'm Head of Department and AQA examiner for Religious Studies. I teach the AQA spec and provide tried and tested resources. I'm uploading resources all of the time; my newest collection is the #FUN LESSONS range which are engaging, exam focused, challenging and getting great results. Lessons are fully resourced and easy to follow with minimal printing. I hope you enjoy teaching them.
I'm Head of Department and AQA examiner for Religious Studies. I teach the AQA spec and provide tried and tested resources. I'm uploading resources all of the time; my newest collection is the #FUN LESSONS range which are engaging, exam focused, challenging and getting great results. Lessons are fully resourced and easy to follow with minimal printing. I hope you enjoy teaching them.
PILGRIMAGE: CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM. AQA RS. Suitable as a lesson or revision lesson. Concise, comprehensive and challenging exam-focused. Resource light easy to follow
Suitable for delivering:
AQA Religious Studies: Islam/Christian Practices/ GCSE REVISION LESSON
Students will be able to:
Explain two contrasting places of Christian pilgrimage
Explain rituals that happen at Hajj
Evaluate whether pilgrimage is the most important form of worship in Christianity
Evaluate whether pilgrimage is the most important form of worship in Islam
Activities include:
Reading log activity, exam questions with model answers. Peer assessment.
EVALUATING NATURAL THEOLOGY: KNOW. OF GOD’S EXISTENCE (DCT). #FUN LESSONS. A fun and engaging lesson with a variety of tasks to stimulate learning. It is ‘MASTERY’ ‘and EXAM SKILLS focused.
• Resource light, concise and easy to follow. Date on slide updates automatically
• Suitable for specialists and non-specialists.
Emphasis on exam skills: assessment and extra challenges throughout.
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
Evaluate whether knowledge of God can be known through natural theology
**Fully resourced activities include: **
Customisable recap starter, recap task on why each type of theology is helpful to believers, pairs complete table: list sources of authority and their claims/evidence (followed by self-assessment, answers on slide), group discussion on weaknesses of claims, Bible analysis an interpretation tasks. For each truth claim of natural theology students will learn the main criticisms and add these to table, they will give high order evaluation (how strong are these criticisms?) Essay planning, A02 writing task with success criteria.
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
HOLY BOOKS. ISLAM. AQA. Islam Beliefs. Sources of Authority: Quran, Holy Books, Sunna and Hadith. Concise, comprehensive. ‘MASTERY’ and exam-focused lesson. Resource light. Easy to follow (with notes). Date on slide updates automatically
SINGLE LESSON
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA RS: Islam Beliefs – Sources of Authority: Quran, Holy Books, Sunna and Hadith
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• The Quran is the most important source of authority for Muslims. Evaluate.
Activities include:
Recap starter, reading and question task, debate, ‘depth and mastery’ (partnered discussion) ‘Skills mastery’, model answer analysis, exam question with peer assessment & student friendly success criteria.
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
RELATIONSHIPS. AQA. (Christianity, Islam and Humanism). Includes all resources needed to deliver AQA Religious Studies: Relationships; designed to promote maximum success for ALL learners.
Concise, comprehensive. ‘MASTERY’ and exam-focused lessons.
Date on slide updates automatically
**Resource efficient & easy to follow **
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA Religious Studies: Relationships (RELIGIONS: ISLAM/CHRISTIANITY/HUMANISM)
LESSONS INCLUDE:
Marriage and Cohabitation
Sex within and outside of marriage
Divorce
Family types and roles of parents and children. Polygamy, single parent, monogamy, nuclear, same sex parents.
Contraception
Same sex marriage: Catholics, Quakers, Islam, humanist
Gender equality
Activities include:
Recap starter, reading log task, debate, ‘depth and mastery’ (partnered discussion) ‘Skills mastery’, model answer analysis, exam question with peer assessment & student friendly success criteria.
I hope you enjoy teaching these lessons. Your feedback is most welcome.
EVIL AND SUFFERING & EVALUATION. AQA RS THEME C: ARGUMENTS AGAINST EXISTENCE OF GOD. Concise, comprehensive. ‘MASTERY’ and exam-focused lesson. Resource light – one resource to print (information sheet). Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists (notes on slides) Date on slide updates automatically.
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA RS Theme C: The First Cause Argument and evaluation
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• The presence of evil and suffering in the world prove that an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God does not exist. Evaluate.
Activities include:
Recap starter, reading and question task, debate, ‘depth and mastery’ (partnered discussion) ‘Skills mastery’, model answer analysis, exam question with peer assessment & student friendly success criteria.
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
AIMS OF PUNISHMENT. CHRISTIANITY. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. #CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO. DIFFERENTIATED.
PEDAGOGY FOCUS:
Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
Reduce cognitive overload
I do, we do, you do
Extra Challenges throughout
Differentiated tasks
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Suitable for specialists and non-specialists. Task time indicators. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO: (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCES OF AUTHORITY)
Explain contrasting Christian attitudes towards aims of punishment with reference to holy books
Teach as a stand-alone lesson or part of THEME E CRIME AND PUNISHMENT AQA GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
WAYS THE RESURRECTION INFLUENCES CHRISTIANS. CHRISTIAN BELIEFS. AQA. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. #CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO.
PEDAGOGY FOCUS:
Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
Reduce cognitive overload
I do, we do, you do
Exam skills: 5 MK INFLUENCE QUESTIONS Strong religious reference, development,
Extra Challenges throughout
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Suitable for specialists and non-specialists. Task time indicators. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCES OF AUTHORITY):
Explain ways the resurrection of Jesus influences Christians today- using AQA exam board criteria for ‘influence’ questions
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
INCARNATION AND CHRISTMAS LESSON ENABLES LEARNERS TO: Explain Christian beliefs about the incarnation and how this is celebrated at Christmas (with reference to scripture).
#ENGAGE, CHECK UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, DIFFERENTIATE, CHALLENGE.
SINGLE LESSON 50-60 MINS
TEACH AS PART OF GCSE. CHRISTIAN BELIEFS
OR AS A STAND-ALONE LESSON
SUITABLE FOR KS3 / LA KS4
PRIOR LEARNING: TRINITY
**DIFFERENTIATION: **
Writing frame
Key term bank
Quote bank
Extra Challenges
Peer learning
Planned questioning. Checking understanding / address misconceptions
**ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: **
Presentation
Reading & answer questions
Quote analysis
Turn and Talk
Planned questioning to check whole class understanding.
Exam Question: Explain / How this influences…
EASY TO DELIVER
• Concise and logically sequenced
• Minimal printing
• Accessible for specialists and non-specialist teachers.
• Date on slide updates automatically.
• Task time indicators.
**I HOPE YOU ENJOY TEACHING THIS LESSON. YOUR FEEDBACK IS WELCOME. **
**FOR MORE LESSONS AND RESOURCES VISIT MY SHOP: **
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Examined_Life
TRINITY. ENABLES LEARNERS TO: Explain Christian beliefs about the oneness of God and the Trinity with reference to sacred writing. #ENGAGE, CHECK UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, DIFFERENTIATE, CHALLENGE.
SINGLE LESSON 50-60 MINS
IDEAL FOR KS3 LESSON OR KS4 CHRISTIAN BELIEFS
PRIOR LEARNING: None required
INCLUDES RELIGIONS
Christianity, Bible and Lord’s prayer
**RESOURCES INCLUDED: **
Slides
Group task annotation work sheet
Writing frame
Key term bank
Quote bank
**ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: **
Presentation
Annotation
Matching
Discussion
Planned questioning to check whole class understanding.
Modelling
Exam Question: Explain…
**PEDAGOGY FEATURES: **
• Exam skills – refer to sacred writing
• Recap
• Planned questioning
• Check whole class understanding.
• Address misconceptions
• Peer learning
• Reduce cognitive overload
• End task assessment
• Differentiation
EASY TO DELIVER
• Concise and logically sequenced
• Minimal printing
• Accessible for specialists and non-specialist teachers.
• Date on slide updates automatically.
• Task time indicators.
**I HOPE YOU ENJOY TEACHING THIS LESSON. YOUR FEEDBACK IS WELCOME. **
**FOR MORE LESSONS AND RESOURCES VISIT MY SHOP: **
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Examined_Life
CREATION OF THE WORLD. CHRISTIAN BELIEFS. AQA. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. #CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO. SINGLE LESSON
Pedagogy Focus:
Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
Reduce cognitive overload
I do, we do, you do
Exam skills: Strong religious reference, development
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
Explain scientific accounts of creation of the universe
Explain contrasting Christian beliefs about the creation of the world
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
NATURE OF GOD. CHRISTIAN BELIEFS. AQA. ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. #CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO. SINGLE LESSON
**Pedagogy Focus: **
Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
Reduce cognitive overload
I do, we do, you do
Exam skills: Strong religious reference and development
Extra Challenges throughout
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
**STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO: **
Explain Christian beliefs about the nature of God using sophisticated vocabulary
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
ARGUMENT FROM MIRACLES. EVALUATION ENABLES LEARNERS TO: Evaluate whether the argument from Miracles successfully proves the existence of God (with reference to sacred writing) #ENGAGE, CHECK UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, DIFFERENTIATE, CHALLENGE.
SINGLE LESSON
TEACH AS PART OF GCSE. AQA. THEME C OR AS A STAND ALONE LESSON
PRIOR LEARNING: MIRACLES IN CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM
INCLUDES RELIGIONS/PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
Literal, metaphorical, natural explanations
Fundamentalist and Liberal
Hume
Swinburne’s principle of testimony
**RESOURCES INCLUDED: **
Slides
Target Grade descriptors
Writing frame
Key term bank
Quote bank
**ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: **
Presentation: strengths and weaknesses
Matching
Ranking
Discussion
Debate: Role Play
Evaluation Question
Planned questioning to check whole class understanding.
Modelling development
Exam Question: Evaluate
Key term bingo
**PEDAGOGY FEATURES: **
• Exam skills
• Recap
• Planned questioning
• Check whole class understanding.
• Address misconceptions
• Peer learning
• Reduce cognitive overload
• End task assessment
• Differentiation
EASY TO DELIVER
• Concise and logically sequenced
• No printing
• Accessible for specialists and non-specialist teachers.
• Date on slide updates automatically.
• Task time indicators.
**I HOPE YOU ENJOY TEACHING THIS LESSON. YOUR FEEDBACK IS WELCOME. **
**FOR MORE LESSONS AND RESOURCES VISIT MY SHOP: **
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Examined_Life
THEIST RESPONSES TO PROBLEM OF EVIL & EVALUATION ENABLES LEARNERS TO: Explain three theodicies and evaluate these with reference to sacred writings. #ENGAGE, CHECK UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, DIFFERENTIATE, CHALLENGE.
50 MINUTE LESSON
GCSE. AQA. THEME: C
INCLUDES RELIGIONS/PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
Swinburne (free will)
Augustine
Hick (soul making)
**RESOURCES INCLUDED: **
• Slides
• SEN / LA Support resource (info sheet)
**ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: **
Presentation of theodicies and evaluation
Ranking
Self-assessment
Discussion
Planned questioning to check whole class understanding.
Exam Question: Explain and evaluate
**PEDAGOGY FEATURES: **
• Exam skills
• Recap
• Planned questioning
• Check whole class understanding.
• Address misconceptions
• Peer learning
• Reduce cognitive overload!
• End task assessment
• Extra challenge
• Differentiation
EASY TO DELIVER
• Concise and logically sequenced
• Minimal printing
• Accessible for specialists and non-specialist teachers.
• Date on slide updates automatically.
• Task time indicators.
**I HOPE YOU ENJOY TEACHING THIS LESSON. YOUR FEEDBACK IS WELCOME. **
**FOR MORE LESSONS AND RESOURCES VISIT MY SHOP: **
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Examined_Life
FIRST CAUSE ARGUMENT; ENABLES LEARNERS TO EXPLAIN AQUINA’S FIRST CAUSE ARGUMENT WITH REFERENCE TO PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT, EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE INFINITE REGRESS AND UNCAUSED CAUSE. #ENGAGE, CHECK UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, DIFFERENTIATE, CHALLENGE.
50 MINUTE LESSON
GCSE. AQA. THEME: C
INCLUDES RELIGIONS/PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
Aquinas
**RESOURCES INCLUDED: **
• Slides
• Support resource (info sheet)
• Gap fill
• Key terms for reference
**ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: **
Presentation of argument
Videos
Gap fill
Self-assessment
Discussion
Debate
Planned questioning to check whole class understanding.
Exam (explain) question.
**PEDAGOGY FEATURES: **
• Recap
• Planned questioning
• Check whole class understanding.
• Address misconceptions
• Peer learning
• Reduce cognitive overload!
• End task assessment
• Extra challenge
• Differentiation
EASY TO DELIVER
• Concise and logically sequenced
• Minimal printing
• Accessible for specialists and non-specialist teachers.
• Date on slide updates automatically.
• Task time indicators.
**I HOPE YOU ENJOY TEACHING THIS LESSON. YOUR FEEDBACK IS WELCOME. **
**FOR MORE LESSONS AND RESOURCES VISIT MY SHOP: **
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Examined_Life
CHRISTIAN VIEWS THE LAW AND CRIME. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. #CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO.
PEDAGOGY FOCUS:
Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
Reduce cognitive overload
I do, we do, you do
Extra challenges throughout
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Suitable for specialists and non-specialists. Task time indicators. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO: (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCES OF AUTHORITY)
EXPLAIN Christian beliefs about:
• Laws of the state
• Unjust laws
• Biblical moral laws and conscience that guide behaviour
• People who commit: Hate crime, murder and Theft
EVALUATE STATEMENT: Christians should never break the law.
Teach as a stand-alone lesson or part of THEME E CRIME AND PUNISHMENT AQA GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
DESIGN ARGUMENT. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF MEDIA & TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. #CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO. STAND ALONE LESSON OR PART OF AQA THEME C EXISTENCE OF GOD.
PEDAGOGY FOCUS:
Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
Reduce cognitive overload
I do, we do, you do
Exam skills: Evidence and Development
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Suitable for specialists and non-specialists. Task time indicators. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO: (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCES OF AUTHORITY)
Explain the design argument with reference to Paley’s watch analogy, evidence from the natural world and the anthropic principle
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
CHRISTIAN BELIEFS REVISION. AQA. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE RECALL BASED ON STARTER KNOWLEDGE AUDIT.
#CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO.
PEDAGOGY FOCUS:
Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
Reduce cognitive overload
I do, we do, you do
Exam skills: Create a set of mark schemes for weak areas identified in starter task
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Suitable for specialists and non-specialists. Task time indicators. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO: (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCES OF AUTHORITY)
Revise your weakest areas of the Christian belief’s topic (identified in starter task)
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
HELL. CONTRASTING CHRISTIAN BELIEFS. AQA. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. #CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO.
PEDAGOGY FOCUS:
Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
Reduce cognitive overload
I do, we do, you do
Exam skills: Strong religious reference, development, Evaluation
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Suitable for specialists and non-specialists. Task time indicators. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO: (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCES OF AUTHORITY)
Evaluate whether an omnibenevolent God would send anyone to hell
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
THE RESURRECTION. CHRISTIAN BELIEFS. AQA. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. #CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO. SINGLE LESSON
PEDAGOGY FOCUS:
Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
Reduce cognitive overload
I do, we do, you do
Exam skills: Strong religious reference, development
Extra Challenges
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Suitable for specialists and non-specialists. Task time indicators. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCES OF AUTHORITY):
Evaluate statement: Jesus’ resurrection is a made-up story
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.