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.
TEN OBLIGATORY ACTS. ISLAM PRACTICES. AQA. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. #CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. 50 MIN LESSON
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
Explain the Ten Obligations of Shia Islam with reference to scripture
PEDAGOGY FEATURES:
• Customisable Do Now
• Whole Class assessment
• Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
• Reduce cognitive overload
• I do, we do, you do
• Exam skills: Strong religious reference and development
• Extra Challenges
PRIOR LEARNING: FIVE PILLARS, ALMS GIVING, JIHAD
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Date on slide updates automatically.
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson.
Your feedback is welcome.
THE PROBLEM OF EVIL ENABLES LEARNERS TO: Explain the evidential and logical problem of evil and HOW this challenges arguments for God’s existence
#ENGAGE, CHECK UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, DIFFERENTIATE, CHALLENGE.
50 MINUTE LESSON
GCSE. AQA. THEME: C
INCLUDES RELIGIONS/PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
Christianity (Bible)
Humanism
Mackie
Elie Wiesel (Holocaust survivor)
**RESOURCES INCLUDED: **
• Key terms for reference (one per group)
• Slides
• Support resource (info sheet)
• Exam question success criteria for each target grade (differentiate)
**ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: **
Presentation of argument
Match/Sort activity
Self-assessment
Discussion
Planned questioning to check whole class understanding.
Exam Question: Explain
**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
SCIENCE AND GOD. SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTS AGAINST GOD’S EXISTENCE AND THEIST RESPONSES. THIS LESSON ENABLES LEARNERS TO: Explain scientific arguments for the creation of the world and life and theist responses. Explain differences within and between religions with reference to sacred writing
#ENGAGE, CHECK UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, DIFFERENTIATE, CHALLENGE.
50 MINUTE LESSON
GCSE. AQA. THEME: C
INCLUDES RELIGIONS/PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
Science
Humanism
Islam
Christianity
**RESOURCES INCLUDED: **
Slides
Key terms support resource
Science timeline
**ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: **
Presentation
Video note taking
Answer questions
Discussion (role play)
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
Concise, comprehensive and **challenging exam-focused lesson. **
**Resource light & easy to follow **
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
THEME A - RELATIONSHIPS: NATURE, PURPOSE & IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE + COHABITATION (ISLAM/CHRISTIANITY)
Students will be able to:
• Explain the nature, purpose and importance of marriage in Islam and Christianity
• Evaluate with reference to scripture whether marriage is important in the modern world.
Activities include:
Reading log activity, exam questions with model answers. Optional video task to enrich learning and give writing hands a rest! / discussion / self/peer assessment with success criteria.
Concise, comprehensive. RECAP & ‘MASTERY’ exam-focused lesson.
Date on slide updates automatically
DOUBLE LESSON EASILY DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS
Timers included on every task
Resource light – one resource to print
Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists (notes on slides)
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA RS CHRISTIAN & ISLAM PRACTICES: Revision of all Practices and linked quotes
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• RECAP ON ALL BELIEFS & LINKED QUOTES
• MASTER strong religious reference
• MASTER strong conclusions
• Evaluate whether the Shahada is the most important Muslim duty
• Evaluate whether the sacraments are the most important Christian practice
Activities include:
Recap starter, mastery of content (partnered teaching), Skills mastery: strong religious reference and persuasive conclusions. Plan and write a 12-mark answer. Model answer analysis, exam question with peer assessment & student friendly success criteria.
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
Concise, comprehensive. ‘MASTERY’ and exam-focused lesson.
Date on slide updates automatically
Resource light
Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists (notes on slides)
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA RS ISLAM PRACTICES: Zakat and Ramadan (Pillars 3-4)
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Explain two Muslim beliefs about Zakat
• Evaluate whether Ramadan is the most important Pillar in Islam
Activities include:
Recap starter, reading and question task, ‘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.
Concise, comprehensive. ‘MASTERY’ and exam-focused lesson.
Date on slide updates automatically
Resource light
Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists (notes on slides)
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA THEME C SPECIAL REVELATIONS (Christianity)
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Define Special Revelation
• Explain examples of Special Revelations in Christianity
• Evaluate the statement: Special Revelations prove that God and holy figures exist using developed points.
Activities include:
Recap starter, reading and question task, ‘depth and mastery’ (partnered discussion), debate, ‘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.
Concise, easy to follow and comprehensive, ‘MASTERY’ and **exam-focused lesson. **
Date on slide updates automatically
**Resource light **
Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists (notes on slides)
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA RS ISLAM PRACTICES: HAJJ – What? Who, Where, When, Why and How?
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Describe the events of Hajj
• Explain the importance of Hajj
• Evaluate whether Hajj is the most important of the five pillars
Activities include:
Customisable recap starter (just add two questions), reading and question task, mini-plenary quiz with ‘stretch and challenge’ questions, ‘depth and mastery’ (partnered discussion), debate, ‘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.
The scheme of learning is for the The Christian Beliefs bundle of 9 lessons.
For each lesson it contains:
Lesson title
Objectives
Activities
Differentiation
Assessment
Homework
It also contains a handout for the last piece of homework (for end of topic revision)
‘Worship: Christian Practices’ is a concise and easy to follow, ‘MASTERY’ ‘and EXAM SKILLS focused lesson. There will be an emphasis (and modelling) of key skills needed in evaluation questions. Mini plenary’s and extra challenges throughout
Date on slide updates automatically / Resource light / Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
Worship: Christian Practices’ AQA
Students will be able to
• Explain different types of Christian worship and the denominations that use them
• Evaluate (strengths and weaknesses) of these forms of worship
Activities include:
Customisable recap do-now starter, a variety of tasks to learn about:
• Learning from popular TV series (videos) differences between Liturgical non liturgical, informal and charismatic forms of worship
• Matching activity to pair forms of worship with their advantages and disadvantages
• Venn diagram to illustrate similarities and differences between each type of worship
• Drama activity: students role play a type of worship the rest of the class guess which type of worship it is.
• debates regarding which is the most respectable form of worship
• Exam 4 mark question with scaffolding, model answer and peer assessment
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
Mission & Evangelism, Discipleship CHRISTIAN PRACTICES (# FUN LESSONS) A fun and engaging lesson with a variety of games, tasks and use of multimedia to stimulate learning. It is ‘MASTERY’ ‘and EXAM SKILLS focused. You’ll find it concise and easy to follow making it suitable for specialists and non-specialists alike. It covers GCSE content as well as dipping into some linked A Level material to stretch and challenge.
There will be an emphasis (and modelling) of key skills needed in exam questions. Assessment and extra challenges throughout
Date on slide updates automatically / Resource light / Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
Mission &Evangelism - Christian Practices AQA
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
Explain the Christian duty of discipleship
Explain the difference between evangelism and missionary work using examples of each.
Evaluate which is the most important Christian duty discipleship or charity
Activities/resources include:
Customisable recap do-now starter
a variety of tasks e.g. Carousel, video, debate, group planning and exam questions. To gain an in-depth understanding of:
• The Great Commission and duty of discipleship
• Examples of evangelism / missionary work and the difference between these
• Exclusivist, pluralist views
• An evaluation of whether the duty of discipleship is more important than the duty of charity
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
Sacraments: Infant and Believers Baptism - Christian Practices. #FUN LESSONS. A fun and engaging lesson by employing use of popular media and games. It does not lack academic challenge it is ‘MASTERY’ ‘and EXAM SKILLS focused. This is concise and easy to follow making it suitable for specialists and non-specialists alike.
You can use props for the main activity e.g. doll, water – but I often ask the kids to improvise and this often makes it even more fun.
There will be an emphasis (and modelling) of key skills needed in evaluation questions. Mini plenary’s and extra challenges throughout
Date on slide updates automatically / Resource light / Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
‘Sacraments: Believers and Infant Baptism’ Christian Practices AQA
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Explain the meaning and significance of sacraments
• Explain the difference between a believer’s baptism and Infant baptism and evaluate which type is most important
Activities/resources include:
Customisable recap do-now starter
a variety of tasks to gain an in-depth understanding of:
• the meaning and significance of sacraments
• Denominational differences regarding the sacraments
• purpose of baptism
• believers and infant baptism differences
• evaluate which is most important believers or infant baptism
• Key term bingo
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION. 50 MINUTES. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. WHOLE CLASS ASSESSMENT. PLANNED QUESTIONING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS. I DO, WE DO, YOU DO. DIFFERENTIATED.
PEDAGOGY FOCUS:
Check whole class understanding / address misconceptions (e.g. mini boards/cold call)
I do, we do, you do
Differentiated Tasks
Extra challenges
Scaffolding
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:
• Explain freedom of religion (article 18)
• Everyone should have freedom of religion. Evaluate. Show differences within and between: Christianity, Islam, and humanism. Refer to sacred writing
TEACH AS A STAND-ALONE LESSON OR
PART OF THEME F: RELIGION, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. AQA GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
CHRISTIAN BELIEFS REVISION IDEAL FOR PRE EXAM REVISION
AIM: create effective flash cards recall key terms and points for 5mk & 12 mk Q’s
HOW: students work independently using a 9 step progress sheet to identify and fill gaps in knowledge.
DIFFERENTIATION: By time: depending on number of gaps students work independently over 1 or more lessons. By Task: some steps are different depending on predicted grade EG. U-3 no quotes needed 7+ 4 quotes in 12mk questions.
RESOURCES INCLUDED:
Instruction slides
Model of flash cards, development and conclusion
9 step student progress check list
Key term knowledge audit
5mk and 12 mk questions corresponding to key term knowledge audit
Quotes for all sub-topics
YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE:
Either flash cards OR if on low budget A4 paper cut in half to create two cards
Envelopes/wallets for them to keep cards organised
INFORMATION to answer questions EG revision guides/their books/your support .
Concise, easy to follow and comprehensive, ‘MASTERY’ and exam-focused lesson.
Date on slide updates automatically
Resource light
Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists (notes on slides)
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA RS ISLAM PRACTICES: Festivals: Id-ul-Fitr (Eid) and Ashura
**
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Describe origins of Eid and Ashura
• Explain two ways Shia Muslims commemorate Ashura
• Explain two ways Muslims celebrate Id-ul-Fitr 5 marks
• Evaluate which is the most important festival in Islam
Activities include:
Customisable recap starter (just add two questions), reading and question task, mini-plenary quiz with ‘stretch and challenge’ questions, ‘depth and mastery’ (partnered discussion), debate, ‘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.
Person of Jesus: Incarnation - God in the flesh. CHRISTIAN BELIEFS/AQA/#FUN LESSONS. Concise & easy to follow, ‘MASTERY’ and EXAM SKILLS focused lesson. Students will learn the GCSE content plus be challenged by dipping into some relevant A Level material. There will be an emphasis (and modelling) of key skills needed in evaluation questions. Frequent mini plenary’s for assessment.
Date on slide updates automatically / Resource light / Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
Person of Jesus: The Incarnation
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Explain Christian beliefs about the incarnation and reasons why God would choose to incarnate
• Evaluate was Jesus: mad, bad or God?
Activities include:
Customisable recap do-now starter, a variety of tasks to learn about
Four Gospels and their historicity (annotation), Analyse symbolism of Christmas cards, Analyse Annunciation artwork throughout history, To develop the point The Gospel writers show that Jesus was no ordinary person…. (using key terms and quotes), Video activity on why God became flesh. Exam skills practise of five mark question. Video activity followed by discussion: Was Jesus: Mad, Bad or God?
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
Concise and easy to follow, ‘MASTERY’ and EXAM SKILLS focused lesson. Students will learn the GCSE content plus dip into some relevant A Level material. There will be an emphasis (and modelling) of key skills needed in 12 mk questions.
Date on slide updates automatically
Resource light
Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA RS CHRISTIAN BELIEFS: Nature of God
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Explain Christian beliefs about the nature of God
• Evaluate the extent to which these are philosophically problematic (evidential and logical problem of evil plus A LEVEL omnipotence paradox)
Activities include:
Customisable recap do-now starter, a variety of tasks to learn:
varieties of problem of evil plus theodicies, maximal/total power. Augustine, Swinburne and Descartes. Video, Key term and quote matching, extra challenge activities, Discussion and debate. Writing task that focuses on essay intro and strong religious reference with modelling.
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
Christian Festivals: Christmas/Easter #FUN LESSONS. A fun and engaging lesson with a variety of games, tasks and use of multimedia to stimulate learning. It is ‘MASTERY’ ‘and EXAM SKILLS focused. You’ll find it concise and easy to follow making it suitable for specialists and non-specialists alike.
There will be an emphasis (and modelling) of key skills needed in exam questions. Assessment and extra challenges throughout
Date on slide updates automatically / Resource light / Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
‘Christian Festivals: Christmas/Easter’ – Christian Practices’
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Explain how and why Christians celebrate the festivals of Christmas and Easter
• Evaluate which festival is the most important
Activities/resources include:
Recap do-now starter – Dobble
a variety of tasks e.g. Easter Egg (info) hunt, nativity plays, sorting games, model answers. To gain an in-depth understanding of:
• The events of the incarnation
• The events of the incarnation
• Bible quotes references to incarnation/resurrection
• How Christmas/Easter is celebrated
• The Symbolism of Christmas and Easter celebrations
• evaluating which is the most important
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
EVALUATING REVEALED THEOLOGY: KNOW. OF GOD’S EXISTENCE (DCT). #FUN LESSONS. A fun and engaging lesson with a variety of tasks, games and multi-media 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 REVEALED THEOLOGY
Fully resourced activities include:
Customisable recap starter, Discussion: why might we agree/disagree with Karl Barth? Video and List reasons why the Bible might be reliable/unreliable, self-assessment (answer on slide), video learning: list Bible contradictions, Peer discuss The difference between propositional revelation and non-propositional revelation (liberal view) and how the latter avoids the problem of biblical contradictions. Essay planning mind-map task. A02 writing task: God is ultimately revealed through Jesus Christ in the Bible.” EVALUATE BARTH’S STATEMENT
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
ISLAM PRACTICES REVISION # FUN LESSONS. A Fun lesson to recap and master content. Students should be learning without realising it!
• Date on slide updates automatically / Resource light
• Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Engage in lots of fun game to revise for test.
• Prepare and present multiple views on a variety of statements with a strong religious reference **(sources of authority) **
INCLUDES AN EXAM-FOCUSED HOME-LEARNING TASK WITH RESOURCE
**
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: (FULLY RESOURCED)
• Articulate game
• Quotes master game (sorting)
• Presentation game: students are required to give reasons for and against variety of statements and include a strong religious reference
• Pub quiz (without the beer!)
• Peer assessment
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson.
Your feedback is most welcome.