This is a great resource to get your students using all their senses to imagine what life was like in the time of Jesus. Suitable for KS3 and some KS2 children, this forms an introduction to looking at the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and provides excellent cross curricular links. Included in this download are 5 information sheets about different aspects of 1st century life, each one focusing on a sense. There are simple explanations and pictures on each info sheet. There are a number of ways these could be used, but the suggestion is to give each group or pair a particular sense which they read and become the ‘expert’ on. Then the info sheets can be taken away and each group can teach another group what they have found out. The Senses Wheel worksheet will allow students to record their findings. The similarities and differences worksheet can be used as a follow on activity and prompts students to think about how their lives are similar or different to life in the first century. Finally there is a scaffolded worksheet which helps students to write a diary entry as if they were a boy or girl living in Jesus’ time. They can use their completed Senses Wheel to give them ideas for this.

Information sheets on different aspects of life in Palestine in Jesus’ time. Pupils could research one aspect in groups and feedback to the rest of the class. The document ‘Palestine in the time of Jesus’ is a grid which can be used to record their research.