I am curreny teaching across the Key Stages as the Head of Religious Studies in a comprehensive secondary school. Previously I have led a RS department in an inner-city school and also taught Humanities including experience of teaching Geography at KS3, as well as History at KS3 and KS4 and Sociology at KS5. I'm a Religious Studies and Philosophy specialist, having studied Philosophy at university and taught RS at KS3, KS4 and KS5.
I am curreny teaching across the Key Stages as the Head of Religious Studies in a comprehensive secondary school. Previously I have led a RS department in an inner-city school and also taught Humanities including experience of teaching Geography at KS3, as well as History at KS3 and KS4 and Sociology at KS5. I'm a Religious Studies and Philosophy specialist, having studied Philosophy at university and taught RS at KS3, KS4 and KS5.
A GCSE or A-level lesson exploring the Christian view on the purpose of life using sources of wisdom and authority including Aquinas' Natural Law, the Biblical creation story and the 10 Commandments. I have used this lesson to introduce the topic of abortion and euthanasia and get students to understand the underlying values and principles which shape the Christian beliefs on the purpose of life. There is plenty of scope to teach this lesson through class discussion which always goes down well on this topic.
A GCSE or A-level lesson on the argument for the 'Quality of Life' in relation to abortion and euthanasia. This lesson focuses on John Finnis' argument FOR abortion and euthanasia based on 'quality of life' and goes into Peter Vardy's 'stages of rationality' argument FOR abortion. The main task is very creative and embeds some Literacy elements, as students have produce a leaflet arguing either for or against abortion and euthanasia, based on 'quality of life'. This can be done individually, in pairs or groups.
A GCSE or A-level lesson exploring the Christian view on the value of life using sources of wisdom and authority as well as investigating how the Hippocratic Oath links to euthanasia. I have used this lesson to introduce the topic of euthanasia and get students to understand the underlying values and principles which shape the Christian beliefs on the value of life. There is plenty of scope to teach this lesson through class discussion which always goes down well on this topic.
A GCSE lesson focusing on the abortion law in the UK and how it relates to Christian teaching using sources of wisdom and authority as well as a link to the Hippocratic Oath. Students can apply the Christian and legal viewpoint to abortion to 3 case studies and there is an opportunity for a whole class debate on the right to life from the time of viability. Alternatively this task can become an extended and differentiated writing task.
A GCSE or A-level lesson about the Yajna sacrifice in Vedic Hinduism with a link to Dharma and the Varnas. Focusing heavily on sources of wisdom and authority from the Vedas and giving a comprehensive overview of the role of Rta in the Yajna sacrifice.
A three-lesson short term scheme of work on abortion from a philosophical, legal and Humanist perspective suitable for GCSE Religious Studies.
Start with the lesson on abortion as a moral issue, followed by the legal attitudes to abortion in the UK and finish with the Humanist perspective of pro-choice argument for abortion. An excellent way to start teaching about this controversial issue.
A three lesson short-term scheme of work suitable for GCSE or A-level Religious Studies. A strong focus on the moral, legal and philosophical responses to euthanasia. Start with the introduction to euthanasia lesson, followed by euthanasia and the law and finally the lesson on palliative care. The perfect way for students to engage in the non-religious arguments for and against euthanasia and consider how far the law is fir for purpose and if palliative care can offer a genuine alternative.
NEW GCSE Edexcel Religious Studies short-term scheme of work covering Christian, non-religious and non-belief in life after death including reference to sources of wisdom and authority. Can be taught in any order.
A lesson suitable for KS3 about Jesus' miracles. Students explore the meaning of what a miracle is and miracles of nature versus miracles of healing are introduced. Students take on the role of police detectives who have to 'solve' the mystery of two miracles and decide if it is a genuine miracle or can in fact be explained by science. A great lesson to get students engaged and can be taught with students working individually or in pairs.
A GCSE lesson introducing Fair Trade and the ethical and moral issues it addresses. No previous knowledge of ethics or morality are necessary and the lesson is based around plenty of case studies for students to get their teeth stuck into. I have used this as a stand-alone lesson with KS3, or as the start of a Fair Trade project with KS4 and as part of a Business Ethics topic at A-level and found students to be very receptive.
A creative and engaging lesson for KS3 about why Jesus is still remembered today with a focus on sources of wisdom and authority. Jesus' core message about how to treat others is explored through the parable of the Good Samaritan and students are given a chance to be creative and work independently by allowing them to write a speech about why Jesus' message is still relevant in today's society. Students respond very well to this lesson, especially those who usually put up barriers to learning in RE. If you have the time, there is scope for this to last for two lessons, as students can deliver their speeches in front of the class in the second lesson.
A GCSE or A-level lesson outlining the content of the four Vedas in Hinduism and focusing on the God Agni in Hindu worship and how each Veda contributes to overall worship in Vedic Hinduism. There are links to the origins of the Vedas, including Aryan and Indus influences and the role of the four Brahmin priests in the Vedic sacrifice (Agni).
NEW 2016 Religious Studies KS3 curriculum assessment based on a unit of work including the following lessons, available in my shop.
1) The nature and purpose of Church in Christianity
2) The importance of worship and prayer in Christianity
3) The Bible as a source of authority for Christians
4) Christians denominations in the UK.
5) Symbols and Artefacts used during Christian worship.
There are two assessments included, which offer a choice for students.
Assessment option 1: Students to create their own religious symbol to be used during worship.
Assessment option 2: Students to create a podcast about worship in Christianity.
There is also included a confidence and revision sheet for students to reflect on their progress during the topic.
NEW 2016 Edexcel Religious Studies GCSE lesson on the importance of Al-Quadr in Islam, following the 'Religion, Peace and Conflict through Islam' unit. The lesson is split into Muslim beliefs on predestination focusing on the universe as a whole as well as relating to human lives in particular. There is a strong focus on using sources of wisdom and authority from the Qur'an and for students to interpret Muslim beliefs based on religious teaching. There is also an exploration of the concept of Free Will in Islam and how this is interpreted differently by divergent Muslims following both the Sunni and Shia traditions of Islam. Students use the Hadith Sahih Al-Bukhari 78:685 as a source of wisdom and authority to suggest if Free Will can be compatible with a belief in predestination.
GCSE Edexcel Religious Studies lesson on the role of women in society for the topic Community Cohesion. The idea of gender stereotypes is introduced through a variety of posters and videos to engage the students and then followed by discussion of gender roles in society. A team work task with information about the legal and historical changes of the role of women in society is delivered through peer-to-peer 'experts' from each team sharing specific knowledge for students to fill in a worksheet. Finally, students can consider gender equality in the 21st century through their own experiences.
NEW KS3 History curriculum on British Reforms following the NEW 1-9 grading criteria. This lesson examines how women were treated in prison and how the Suffragettes fought against the government by going on hunger strike. Two video clips introduce the Suffragette movement leading up to the hunger strikes and students then analyse a primary source from a Suffragette publication on the Cat and Mouse Act (Temporary Discharge for Health Act) linked to information about how the government reacted to Suffragette hunger strikes and how the Suffragettes used the Cat and Mouse Act to their advantage in campaigning for the right to vote. All tasks are clearly differentiated and this lesson is suitable for all abilities.
NEW KS3 History curriculum on British Reforms following the NEW 1-9 grading criteria. The lesson asks the key question if Emily Davison's death was an accident or an act of protest and students investigate reasons to support both claims before analysing how far Davison's death played a part in the campaign for women to get the vote. A YouTube clip summarises Emily Davison's role in the Suffragette movement and another clip analyses how far her actions were a deliberate act of protest or not. The main task supports student's literacy as it is a reading task; this can be done in pairs, groups or as individuals and allows students to pick out reasons for and against the key question as well as evaluating the impact Emily Davison's death had on the Suffragette campaign. The plenary asks students to reflect on the information they have learnt during the lesson. All tasks are clearly differentiated and this lesson is suitable for all abilities.
NEW 2016 KS3 Religious Studies curriculum lesson on the topic of 'Belonging' with a specific focus on Judaism and the Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremony for Jewish boys and girls. This lesson introduces the notion of the Jewish covenant and the concept of promise-keeping and responsibility. A YouTube video follows a modern Jewish boy as he prepares for his Bar Mitzvah and students take notes before getting the opportunity to write a piece of creative writing in the form of a diary entry, immediately following the ceremony. The plenary uses HOTS (higher order thinking skills) and invites students to analyse a picture of a Bar Mitzvah ceremony and pose questions of their own to cement their learning.
NEW KS3 History curriculum on British Reforms following the NEW 1-9 grading criteria. This lesson focuses on the work of the Suffragettes (WSPU) and the tactics they employed to gain equal rights for women including getting the vote. Students get to practice the skill of chronology in assembling Suffragette tactics. Students then have the opportunity to write a piece of creative writing in the form of a speech from the point of view of a Suffragette. The teacher can choose students to sit in a 'hot seat' at the front of the class to read out their work (alternatively, this task can be carried over into a second lesson to give every student the chance to read out, or perform their speech). In the plenary, students vote in a secret ballot to decide if violent action helped women to get the vote. All tasks are clearly differentiated and this lesson is suitable for all abilities.
NEW 2018 Edexcel Religious Studies lesson following the new 1-9 grading criteria. The lesson focuses on the topic Living the Muslim Life and includes stretch and challenge activities as part of each task. The main task is based around an in-depth examination of sources of wisdom and authority from the Qur'an, which students are asked to annotate and analyse in relation the concepts of forgiveness, justice, reconciliation and peace-making. Students can work independently, in pairs or as groups (depending on your class) to build a detailed mind-map about the role of peace-making in Islam. Students are then asked to create a leaflet about how young Muslims today should respond to bullying based on the teachings used during the main task. This lesson is ideal to develop higher order thinking skills and critical analysis in students and gives students a wide range of sources of wisdom and authority to help them interpret how Muslims live their life today based on the Qur'an.
