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.
AFTERLIFE. CONTRASTING CHRISTIAN BELIEFS ABOUT RESURRECTION, JUDGEMENT AND AFTERLIFE. 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, 1 and 2 mk questions
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):
Recall contrasting Christian beliefs about resurrection, judgement, and the afterlife
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
14 X SINGLE LESSONS + QUOTE SHEET + KEY TERM SHEET FOR BOOKS + END OF TOPIC TEST AND ANSWERS + SCHEME OF LEARNING
CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM, BUDDHISM AND HUMANISM. VARIETY OF TASKS, MULTI-MEDIA & GAMES. #ENGAGE. CHECK UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS
MINIMAL PRINTING, CONCISE. DATE ON SLIDE UPDATES AUTOMATICALLY. EASY TO FOLLOW SUITABLE FOR SPECIALISTS AND NON-SPECIALISTS.
PEDAGOGY:
• Check understanding and address misconceptions throughout
• Reduce cognitive overload
• I do, we do, you do
• Emphasis on Exam Skills: A01 and A02
• Sacred Writing
• Whole Class assessment and extra challenges throughout.
LESSONS INCLUDED:
DESIGN ARGUMENT
EVALUATE DESIGN ARGUMENT
FIRST CAUSE ARGUMENT
FIRST CAUSE ARGUMENT EVALUATION
ARGUMENTS AGAINST EXISTENCE OF GOD: EVIL
THEISTS RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM OF EVIL
ARGUMENTS AGAINST EXISTENCE OF GOD: SCIENCE AND THEIST RESPONSES
THE MIRACLES ARGUMENT FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
THE MIRACLES ARGUMENT EVALUATION
SPECIAL REVELATION AS A SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE DIVINE OR ULTIMATE REALITY AND HOLY FIGURES
EVALUATE SPECIAL REVELATION
GENERAL REVELATION
EVALUATE GENERAL REVELATION
KNOWLEDGE OF ULITMATE REALITY: BUDDHISM AND ISLAM
I hope you enjoy teaching this bundle. Your feedback is most welcome.
SEXUAL ETHICS: CHRISTIANITY. LESSON 1 OF OCR A2 SEXUAL ETHICS. 100 MINUTE LESSON. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. CHALLENGE AND MASTERY FOCUSED.
• Assessment (planned no hands up questioning) and extra challenges throughout.
• Minimal printing, concise and easy to follow. Date on slide updates automatically
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
Explain contrasting Christian views on types of sexual relationships with reference to sources of authority.
Evaluate whether the Bible is a reliable source of authority on sexual relationships.
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
Sunni and Shia Islam key beliefs. Six articles of faith and five roots. This lesson enables learners to: recall and explain both the six articles and five roots. #engage, check understanding, correct misconceptions, differentiate, reduce cognitive overload.
TWO SINGLE LESSONS. CHUNKED WITH FREQUENT WHOLE CLASS ASSESSMENT.
AS THIS IS A CONTENT HEAVY SUBTOPIC WITH ARABIC TERMS AS WELL AS BELIEFS OF BOTH DENOMINATIONS TO REMEMBER I HAVE CHUNKED CONTENT AND INCLUDED FREQUENT WHOLE CLASS FEEDBACK. ACRONYMS ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO AID RECALL.
LESSON INCLUDES INFORMATION SHEETS.
Lesson one focuses on the similarities eg tawhid and prophethood with some differences eg imamate in shia islam and sunni beliefs in angels and holy books. This will prepare them well for lesson to which begins with recall of these key beliefs and then proceeds to deliver the remaining key beliefs of shia and sunni. This has proven very effective with my students in terms of recalling the six articles and five roots and explaining these with reference to scripture.
TEACH AS PART OF GCSE. AQA ISLAM BELIEFS OR AS A STAND-ALONE LESSON
PRIOR LEARNING: Students should have some knowledge of Tawhid, imamate and knowledge of the Shia/Sunni divide following death of Prophet Muhammed.
**PEDAGOGY FEATURES: **
• Exam skills – development
• Recap (activate prior knowledge)
• 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
Concise, comprehensive and challenging exam-focused lesson. Date on slide updates automatically.
Resource light & easy to follow
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
THEME B. RELIGION AND LIFE: ORIGINS OF UNIVERSE AND LIFE (ISLAM/CHRISTIANITY/HUMANISM)
**
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):**
With reference to sources of authority:
• Explain two similar religious views about the origins of life and the universe. 5 marks
• The Bible tells Christians all they need to know about creation. Evaluate. 12 marks
Activities include:
Paired Reading log activity, exam questions with model answers. Video task to enrich learning and give writing hands a rest! / structured discussion / self/peer assessment with success criteria.
INCARNATION. 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 throughout
Minimal printing. Concise and easy to follow. Suitable for specialists and non-specialists. Date on slide updates automatically. Customisable Do Now task.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCES OF AUTHORITY):
Explain Christian beliefs about the person of Jesus including the annunciation and incarnation
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is welcome.
CREATION (ORIGINS OF UNIVERSE. AQA THEME B) LESSON ENABLES LEARNERS TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL CONTRASTING VIEWS WITHIN AND BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM AND HUMANISM ABOUT THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. #ENGAGE, CHECK UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, DIFFERENTIATE, CHALLENGE.
SINGLE LESSON
TEACH AS PART OF GCSE. AQA THEME B RELIGION & LIFE
OR AS A STAND-ALONE LESSON
PRIOR LEARNING: HOLY BOOKS OF ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY. SOME KNOWLEDGE OF SCIENTIFIC/GENESIS ACCOUNT OF CREATION USEFUL BUT NOT ESSENTIAL
INCLUDES RELIGIONS/PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
Christianity: creationists and liberals
Islam: creationists and liberals
Humanism / Science
**RESOURCES INCLUDED: **
Slides
Target Grade descriptors for 12 mk question
Model Answer
Paired ‘we do’ task
Quotes/Key term bank
**ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: **
• Customisable Do Now followed by a short engaging starter considering both the start and the end (big freeze) of the universe according to science.
• Interactive reading of a model answer with planned questioning
• Partners complete short work sheet based on the model answer to prepare them to later write their own independently
• whole class assessment (planned questioning) to check for misconceptions before the end task
• End Task: students work independently in silence to write a response to a 12 mark question using success criteria
**PEDAGOGY FEATURES: **
• Exam skills
• Recap
• Planned questioning
• Check whole class understanding.
• Address misconceptions
• Peer learning
• Reduce cognitive overload
• End task assessment
• Differentiation
• Challenge
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
PLATO’S SUBSTANCE DUALISM & VIEW OF THE SOUL + EVALUATION
#FUN LESSONS. OCR - SOUL, MIND AND BODY. Concise, easy to follow and comprehensive, ‘MASTERY’ and exam-focused lesson.
MINIMAL PRINTING
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
A LEVEL: SOUL, MIND AND BODY CAN BE ADAPTED FOR VARIOUS EXAM BOARDS
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
Explain strengths and weaknesses of Plato’s substance dualism
*Answer 40 mk exam question: Evaluate whether Plato’s belief in a separate body and soul is convincing.
Activities include:
Customisable recap starter (just add two questions). Tasks to link to prior learning. Analysis of Plato’s main claims with paired discussion on strengths and weaknesses, frequent mini-plenaries, reading and writing tasks. Analysis of model answer with success criteria provided. Culminating in a written 40 mk question activity, model answer & student friendly success criteria provided.
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
CHRISTIAN MORAL ACTION BONHOEFFER LESSON 1. OCR AS DCT. 100 MINUTES. FUN AND ENGAGING MULTI-MEDIA LESSON WITH A VARIETY OF TASKS AND GAMES TO STIMULATE LEARNING. CHALLENGE AND MASTERY FOCUSED.
LESSON 1 (OF 3) INCLUDES:
• Customisable recap ‘do now’ task
• Scholar quotes
• Sources of Wisdom: Bible and Barman Declaration
• Assessment and extra challenges throughout.
• Minimal printing, concise and easy to follow. Date on slide updates automatically
• Information provided (not dependent on a textbook)
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
Explain with reference to scripture Christian teachings about duty to the state
Explain how Bonhoeffer demonstrated allegiance to God over the state
Evaluate whether Christians should put God before the state
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
AFTERLIFE. CHRISTIANITY CONTRASTING VIEWS will spark students’ curiosity and critical thinking. It’s engaging, scaffolded for accessibility and challenging for academic rigour. It is easy to deliver for specialists and non-specialists alike and requires minimal printing and preparation.
YOUR STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
Explain contrasting Christian beliefs about the afterlife including:
• Resurrection
• Heaven and hell
• Personal and Last judgement
• Catholic, Protestant and Universalist perspectives
CONTAINS ALL THE FEATURES OF AN EXCELLENT LESSON:
Do Now retrieval of critical content for this lesson
Tasks broken down to prevent cognitive overload
Checks whole class understanding using miniboards or cold call
Extra challenges throughout
SEN/LA support sheet to promote independence.
Independent practice task:
• Past exam question `
• Clear success criteria
• Writing frames
• Relevant sacred writing
• Key Vocabulary
I hope you enjoy delivering this lesson. Feedback is welcome.
Find more Religious Studies resources and bundles for ALL KEY STAGES at my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Examined_Life
‘Christian Beliefs – Revision lesson’ is a concise and easy to follow. It is a fun lesson to recap on the content. Students should be learning without realising it!
Date on slide updates automatically / Resource light / Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
Christian Beliefs
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Engage in lots of fun game to revise for test. To prepare and present multiple views on a variety of statements with a strong religious reference.
**
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!) and peer assessment
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S EXISTENCE. REVISION. (DEVELOPMENTS IN CHRISTIAN THOUGHT). OCR A LEVEL. ENGAGING LESSON. VARIETY OF TASKS TO STIMULATE LEARNING. CHALLENGING, MASTERY AND EXAM SKILLS FOCUSED. This lesson summarises the whole topic in 100 minutes and is aimed to offer clarity on a complex topic.
• Modelling, Assessment and extra challenges throughout.
• Minimal printing, concise and easy to follow. Date on slide updates automatically
RESOURCES INCLUDED:
Info sheet - Types of revelation
Model answer: To what extent can God be known through the natural world?
Slides that cover the whole topic in 100 minutes
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCE OF AUTHORITY):
EVALUATE THE EXTENT GOD CAN BE KNOWN THROUGH NATURAL REVELATION.
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM: BELIEFS & PRACTICES. REVISION. COMPLETE SET OF EFFECTIVE REVISION LESSONS FOR AQA RELIGIOUS COMPONENT. IDEAL FOR RUN UP TO EXAMS.
AIM: Recall ALL key terms and points for ALL 5mk & 12 mk Questions. To improve skills of development and writing conclusions.
HOW: students identify gaps through a knowledge audit. Students fill gaps in knowledge and create revision resource EG flash cards to aid recall.
DIFFERENTIATION: By time: depending on number of gaps students work independently over 1 or more lessons on each of the 4 topics. By Task: depending on predicted grade EG. U-4 no quotes needed 7+ 4 quotes in 12mk questions.
TIMING: 1-2 revision lessons for each of the 4 topics.
RESOURCES INCLUDED:
• Comprehensive key term knowledge audit
• Complete set of 5mk and 12 mk questions
• Complete set of Quotes from sacred writing
• Models: flash cards, development & conclusion
• student progress check list
• Instruction slides
YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE:
• Either flash cards OR if on low budget A4 paper cut in half
• Envelopes/wallets for them to keep cards organised
• A complete set of mark schemes is included for Christian Practices but for Christian beliefs and Islam beliefs and practices you’ll need to provide INFORMATION to answer questions EG revision guides/their books/your support.
BUDDHISM INTRODUCTION KS3 LESSON. FUN AND ENGAGING LESSON. VARIETY OF TASKS, MULTI-MEDIA AND GAMES TO STIMULATE LEARNING. CHALLENGING, MASTERY AND EXAM SKILLS FOCUSED.
SUITABLE FOR SPECIALISTS AND NON-SPECIALISTS.
• Emphasis on exam skills: Modelling, Assessment and extra challenges throughout.
• No printing, concise and easy to follow. Date on slide updates automatically
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO (WITH REFERENCE TO SOURCE OF AUTHORITY):
Describe key events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama
Explain truths that the Buddha learned through his enlightenment
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
This intervention session focuses on recap and mastery of skills such as strong religious reference and writing a strong conclusion.
There is minimal preparation (see below)
The topics covered are:
Christian Beliefs and Practices
Islam Beliefs and Practices
Relationships
Existence of God (Theme C)
Religion and Life
Human Rights
RESOURCES CAN BE ADAPTED TO SUIT THE TOPICS THAT YOU TEACH
Tasks involve:
Games for recap of key beliefs and quotes (matching, sorting etc.)
Mastery instruction with model answers, exam board and student friendly success criteria and paired discussion.
Applying mastered skills to answering a choice of 12 mark questions
Preparation involves
cutting up one set of cards that are distributed to the class
printing the worksheet - one per student
print Questions - 1 copy
print answers - 1 copy
Concise, comprehensive and** challenging exam-focused lesson** Date on slide updates automatically.
*Resource light & easy to follow *
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
THEME B. RELIGION AND LIFE: LIFE AFTER DEATH (ISLAM/CHRISTIANITY/HUMANISM)
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Explain how belief in the afterlife influences believers
• Evaluate whether it is reasonable to believe in life after death
Activities include:
Paired Reading log activity, exam questions with model answers. Video task to enrich learning and give writing hands a rest! / structured discussion / self/peer assessment with success criteria.
Person of Jesus: Resurrection and Ascension / CHRISTIAN BELIEFS / AQA
#FUN LESSONS. A concise and 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. Mini plenary’s and extra challenges throughout
Date on slide updates automatically / Resource light / Easy to follow & Suitable for non-specialists
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
Resurrection and Ascension: Person of Jesus / Christian Beliefs
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Explain evidence for the resurrection
• Explain ways the resurrection influences Christians today with reference to scripture
Activities include:
Customisable recap do-now starter, a variety of tasks to learn about:
artwork analysis of resurrection
Nicene Creed annotation
Primary sources: the four gospels - comparative analysis
Exam skills: 5 mark answer with model answer full self-assessment
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS A MADE UP STORY - Video and debate
ranking evidence for and against
Secular arguments e.g. Sigmund Freud wish fulfilment theory
The influence of the resurrection on Christians today
The ascension and its importance
Philosophical problems with bodily and spiritual resurrection
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
PRISONS. FUN AND ENGAGING. VARIETY OF TASKS AND MULTI-MEDIA 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
No 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 advantages and disadvantages of prisons in meeting the aims of punishment
• Explain religious attitudes to the use of prison
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.
CHRISTIANITY. AQA. QUIZ is ideal for last day of term. Includes a 35 minute quiz (presentation) with time left to peer assess. Variety of questions to test knowledge of key Christian beliefs and Practices. Music round, picture round, anagrams, key terms, and quotes. Quiz sheet and answer sheet provided. Have fun!
EASY TO DELIVER
• Accessible for specialists and non-specialist teachers.
• 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