A resource to help explore and counter Islamophobic rhetoric in schools, which is sadly increasingly common. This lesson includes individuals and philosophies in Islam which have been profoundly positive in their influence on society, including nobel prize winners, human rights activitists, politicians, charitable donations and international charities. Differenatiated, independent learning activities and links to youtube videos all included. Learning questions are as follows: Does Islam make any positive contributions to the world? (Level 4) What are some of the reasons Muslims contribute positively to the world? (Level 5-6) “Islam a force for good in the world” Do you agree? (Level 5-6)

This lesson is a Philosophy for Children lesson, supported by activities and pictures to try and get young people to engage with the huge injustice and personal loss of the Holocaust. It involves getting students to enquire into each others lives using the medium of their shoes: trying to be detectives (in a Sherlock deduction method sort of way). What can we tell about a person from a shoe? Very little. Yet this is all we have left of many human stories from the Holocaust, all 6, 258, 673 Jews and 3 million others. Its an attempt to get students to emote and empathise with the fact that each of those numbers is a person with a full story. Learning Questions include: The Holocaust- What was it? How many people died? Why are we learning about it? More detailed instructions on the P4C exercise included.

An introductory lesson, including a debate ("Capital Punishment should be reintroduced to the UK"), about Capital Punishment. It covers the following objectives, mainly from a secular viewpoint although including some Christian views: What is Capital Punishment? What are the arguments for and against it? What do YOU think? It includes a youtube video, gap fill exercise, debate and evaluation writing exercise. Students are always engaged with this topic area.

A lesson to explore the six aims of punishment: protection, retribution, vindication, deterrence, reformation and reparation. It includes discussions on what crimes should receive what punishment, learning walks and written exercises which increase in difficulty. Writing scaffolding for paragraphs are included on the powerpoint, and it will help students studying religious studies, history and citizenship. Learning questions: What are the six aims of punishment? Which is the most important?

A resource with embedded video clips, group tasks, differentiated activities and resources as well as mini plenaries. Plenty for students to get their intellectual/philosophical teeth into. There are also a range of miracles to look at: if you would like to explore the miracles of Jesus more then there are resources which look specifically at those, whilst there are also a range of more 'modern' Miracles, like crying statues, floating brooms lambs with 'allah' appearing in their coat and people being cured of cancer. From the sublime to the ridiculous, I know. Learning Objectives: To understand what a miracle is To know some examples of Miracles To think about if I believe miracles can happen Links well to religious studies GCSE and KS3 groups, as well as compulsory GCSE sets. I use it in conjunction with my science and religion module to exemplify that much of what we do today with science would have once been considered miraculous.

8-10 lessons on Medical Ethics, including religious teaching (Christian and Muslim) on various procedures that simply did not exist at the time of the formation of these major world religions. Clips, hyperlinks, presentations (ppt) articles and case studies are all included in the 18 files in this bundle. There are also a couple of cover lessons/film lessons if you happen to have a copy of Gattaca or 6th Day. The topic includes: Embryo Research IVF Surrogacy Transplants and Transfusions Genetic Engineering Human Experimentation Cloning Saviour Siblings (briefly in the consolidation/revision session) I hope it's all very helpful! Feedback welcome, David p.s. Some DVDs on this topic (particularly My Sister's Keeper, Gattaca (and 6th Day to some extent) are good ones to invest in - you can buy these all on youtube)

Perfect for a form discussion or a PHSE/Citizenship lesson, this resource examines the investigatory powers act and gives students the opportunity to debate their opinions on mass surveillance. It also summarises human rights, and is designed to help develop students skills of critical thought and debate. It includes a short youtube video and SMSC objectives. Learning Questions include: What is the investigatory powers act? Should the government be able to see all of our online data? SMSC objectives met are: To learn and discuss what is right and wrong and respect the law; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views. To appreciate diverse viewpoints and resolve conflict.

A lesson designed to explore the Just War Theory in a collaborative, group work activity that emphasizes team work. This leads on to a creative activity where students create a poster, poem or rap to exemplify the Just War Theory’s 7 aspects. Learning Questions include: What is the Just War Theory? Do I agree with it? Why? Differentiated learning outcomes included, which evaluate why Christians may or may not agree with the Just War Theory. All activities are clearly explained in the Powerpoint, and a variety of extension activities for more able students are included.

A lesson that explores Muslim attitudes to war through Jihad. It explores the greater and lesser jihad, and gets students to collaboratively piece together what Jihad actually is whilst debunking the myth that it means ‘holy war’. Closer to ‘righteous struggle’ this lesson aims to draw comparison with the Just War Theory and help to see how in some ways it is more progressive than the JWT (avoids hurting plants and animals) and in others more religious (must be ordered by a religious leader). It also compares modern conflicts to Jihad, and the ways it has been misused. Learning Questions include: What are Muslim views to war? What is Jihad? How might Jihad be misinterpreted? Extension tasks included, as is a wordsearch starter for students to have a quick win at the beginning of the lesson to build learning engagement.

A differentiated resource to help students explore the causes of war, why war exists and if they think it will always exist. This resource includes a board game with cards for students to engage in team work and discussion with each other. The key learning questions explored are as follows: Key questions What causes war? Is war ever justified? Great fro Religious Studies, Citizenship, History or Politics groups, suitable from KS3 and up.

A differentiated activity with Marketplace, opinion line and video clip which explores these key questions: What are new religious movements and cults? What are the benefits and challenges of such movements? Should these new religious movements be made illegal? A Powerpoint and extensive word resource which has information on 8 of the world's new religious movements & cults.

A whole scheme of work on Religion in the UK, which includes a parallel SEND SOW as well. 30 files, including powerpoints, marketplace resources, videos, lesson plans and worksheets, as well as youtube links in the PPTs themselves. The links to the 2011 Census are included in the powerpoint notes so you can personalise your lessons to your locality, and Manchester is used as a case study in the multicultural segregation that occurs in cities (i.e. Muslims/Christians/Jews/Hindus/Sikhs congregate together.) Six lessons in all: 1) Identity: What is 'Britishness' anyway? (challenging xenophobia) 2) Religion in the Stockport & Manchester 3) Humanism in the UK 4) Judaism 5) Religion in the UK 6) Islam in Manchester/Stockport 6b) Islam is good (anti-islamophobia) 7) 'Natural' spirituality: The Case study of Findhorn 8) Assessment (creative dialogue) SEND: 6 lessons which follow the above but exclude Findhorn.

6-10 Lessons on World Poverty, including its causes, religious attitudes (Christian and Muslim) and case studies. 16 files, PPTs, documents, worksheets and activities, including a prezi link, music videos and youtube links. 1) Introduction to wealth and poverty 2) Religious Attitudes 3) Compassion Justice and Stewardship 4) World Trade 5) Liberation Theology and Oscar Romero 6) Consolidation Feedback warmly received, as always! :)

A resource which is intended to run over 4 lessons: independent study with some introduction and video clips which can be uploaded to your server, and students can access them in their own time using headphones. Great for independent study, differentiation, SMSC, PHSE, Religious Studies and Citizenship, as well as General Studies, this resource stimulates outrage, insight and curiosity. It also includes historical and cultural insights, like the Ecuadorian Government signing in the rights of nature into law.

A powerpoint with embedded documentary about Alcohol use which is really good. It also has a venn diagram which compares Christian and Muslim attitudes to alcohol and drug use. Finishing with a discussion based plenary, this is an engaging, differentiated by activity and outcome lesson that explores the tricky world of drug and alcohol use. Objectives explored include What is a drug? Is alcohol a drug and what are its effects? What do Muslims and Christians believe about drugs? What is your opinion on drugs?

This lesson is designed to be adaptable to the needs of your class. It can build on previous knowledge of Gandhi, and works best if that is the case, but can also be used as an introduction to Gandhi’s teaching and life. (To this end, I’ve included a link of him burning the passes and his famous non violence speech that followed it, which are both short and excellent insights into his teaching and philosophy. On non violence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKzKj_8CO2g Burning of the passes (ahimsa):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50gNryy9JnA) It includes extension tasks for able and talented, and differentiated activities including ethical dilemmas, youtube videos, group discussions, treasure hunts as well as written tasks. A broad range of activities, in my experience, always bosters engagement. (there is a need to print 10 slides here) The lesson aims to remind students’ of Gandhi’s teachings and inform them of the Caste system. There is also a short video about Narayanan Krishnan, an inspirational Hindu who has disregarded his Brahmin caste to help untouchables or down and outs in Indian Society. 2 differently worded Learning Objectives here for lower and higher ability or age groups: To remember who Gandhi was. to explain what the caste system was. To know Gandhi’s opinion of the untouchables. To develop and evaluate my own opinion about the caste system. To empathise with people who are in the caste system. Or, for KS4, All will be able to explain what the caste system was, and why Gandhi was against it. Most will be able to relate the situation to contemporary issues re: jobs and status. Some will be able to explain why the caste system became a source of prejudice and discrimination.

This assessment aims to be a creative one, where students research a war and try to apply the just war theory, jihad, religious attitudes, the approach of a peace making organisation and their opinion to it. It is an attempt to have students using their critical thinking skills in a project that fosters analytic, creative and original thought. I know. I’m an optimist. Sarcasm aside, I think our students are getting smarter all the time: they are exposed to more information than any preceding generation and deserve the opportunity to show off and really apply themselves.

Chandra Bose has been likened to Malcolm X in comparison to MLK, but when compared with Gandhi. He led a profoundly effective campaign at forcing the British out of India through armed resistance, but is greatly neglected by a narrative that prefers non-violent protest. Key question: Is violence justified when fighting injustice?

A couple of revision booklets for units 3 and 4, missing the topics of poverty in the UK and religion and science.

There is a prezi that comes with this lesson plan, the link for which can be found as a hyperlink in the lesson plan itself. Or copy and paste: http://prezi.com/m8egb_g7wt1d/religious-revolutionaries/ Religious leaders often seem able to draw on a well of internal strength that allows them to fight for - and sometimes die for - social justice. This resource is designed with an independent study phase so students can choose who they wish to study, which can be found in the PDF file. Enjoy!