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.

This lesson has been a long one in the making. Having found resources from all over the web, edited my own video compiling footage from 9.11 and interviews from Geroge Bush and Osama Bin Laden, this lesson aims to give as an impartial view of 9.11 as possible. It includes neo-conservative explanations for 9.11, to Noam CHomsky esque critique of American Foreign Policy that Michael Moore would be proud of, and even allows al-Qaeda to explain their opinion. Obviously it makes explicit that targetting civilians is never, under any circumstances, acceptable, but tries to explain that 9.11 was a complicated event with historical, cultural, social and religious causes using a redacted and edited document which summarises complicated historical commentary into a digestible PDF. It even includes a brief mention of conspiracy theories for those more inquisitive students. Above all, it encourages critical thought and human compassion. A wide range of differentiated and extension activities here. Learning Questions: What was 9/11? How did it cause a war? Why did the the USA and al-Qaeda say it happened? Ext: Why do you think it happened? Independent, group and whole class activities included to bolster engagement and learning. There’s enough for at least 2 lessons here. But I’m selling it as one, because I’m nice like that.

A lesson that explores the learning questions: What causes war? Is war ever justified? Using a game students explore in teams of 6 the possible causes of war, and evaluate if they are worthwhile. Differentiated learning outcomes and links to youtube videos included, this lesson has been tweaked over a course of 5 years into something that works for me in the classroom. It includes guided discussion and debate topics, as well as some religious opinions in the form of Augustine’s just war theory. Any necessary instructions included in the powerpoint notes.

This lesson explores Nuclear war: the affects of nuclear weapons, if they can ever be justified, if there are any specific examples students know of, and how Christians might respond to the idea of nuclear war using the just war theory. SEND worksheet included, and a variety of extension activities (including how to make a peace crane) are included. As well as this, youtube videos and plenty of discussion activities, as well as an online ‘nuke map’ which explains how a nuke would affect the area you are, anywhere in the world. I know, right? An amazing resource. Learning Questions: What do Nuclear weapons do? Can Nuclear War ever be just? Are there any examples you know? How may Christians respond to Nuclear war?

A lesson for KS3 students to get their heads around the Big Bang and if it is compatible with religious beliefs. Can one believe in God and the Big Bang? This includes videos about the big bang, the size of the universe and a short powerpoint with pictures of earth to play while students enter to create that SMSC 'awe and wonder' feeling. Also included are instructions in the PPT on how to teach and youtube links. Learning Questions: What is the Big Bang theory? What is my opinion about how the universe was created? Is it possible to believe in religion AND science? Great for SMSC, Religious Studies, and Science and Religion modules.

A powerpoint, with flash embedded slides that narrate the creation story and youtube videos discussing different opinions on the creation story. This lesson aims to encourage debate and students to explore their own opinions on creation, evolution and if the two theories could be compatible. An SEND alternative included here too. Learning Questions and Objectives: Comparing the Big Bang and Christian ideas of Creation (Level 3-4 Commmunicate) With scientific understanding of the Big Bang, is it still possible to think of a creator God? (level 4-5 Enquire) Why is there something rather than nothing? (level 5 Evaluate)

This lesson explores surrogacy: what it is, the issues it raises, look at specific case studies and explore religious responses. It includes a moving article about an infertile woman, as well as 3 real life case studies of people who have gone through surrogacy. Plenary, starter and differentiated task included. Some printing is needed here to get the best out of the lesson, but not 100% necessary. Learning Objectives are: To know what surrogacy is and the issues it raises To debate the ethics of specific case studies To evaluate religious arguments about surrogacy

This is a lesson that focusses on the FBV of tolerance and mutual respect. It looks at worldwide variations in family structures, gender and religion. It encourages students to see their ideas of ‘normal’ (i.e. in France they drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road) as simply another way to do things. Hopefully without slipping into complete relativism, students are encouraged to question, develop and refine their opinions rather than give any opinions up all together. Learning objectives include: Does culture affect what is ‘normal’? How and why does culture affect religion, gender and family? Extension: Does the information in this lesson change how you think about your own norms and values? Tasks are differentiated by outcome, with group learning carousel, whole class discussion, and individual tasks all incuded. Questions become increasingly high level as they go on. Suitable for KS3-5. With some simplification it could work with KS2, but it would take some work to do so. It includes in the powerpoint slides to print out with the information on the case studies and a document about the many different forms of Islam in the world, and how culture affects religion. (As an aside, I could have chosen any religion. Christianity has 40 000 types!)

This lesson aims to cover 3 objectives, and is lesson 4 in a series about Judaism and the key beliefs, symbols and practices within it. It is part of a Judaism booklet project. These objectives are: To know what the Passover is, and understand the importance of it for Jewish people. To prepare for Project – chapter 4 (of a booklet) To reflect on the value of freedom. Differentiation by task (comprehension questions), video links embedded, and team work tasks (T-P-S) are all included, as well as a cover lesson with a couple of options for the cover teacher. The presentation itself is in a prezi, the link for which can be found in the lesson plan, which is also included. The video clips are from the Disney film: the prince of Egypt, and students always enjoy this zooming presentation. The presentation can be downloaded onto your hard drive if you wish to.

A 7 lesson Scheme of work on Poverty in the UK, including powerpoints, youtube clips, images, worksheets, booklets, and revision resources to help for KS3 or 4 work. Designed around the AQA Religious Studies B Spec. 1) What is Wealth and Poverty 2) Religious Attitudes to Wealth and Poverty 3) How do people get rich or poor 4) Poverty in the UK 5) Charitable Solutions to Poverty 6) Poverty: Solutions and Responsibility for Poverty 7) Revision/Consolidation lesson (with a 20 question competitive comprehension activity)

A lesson to help students understand and develop their relationship with their own values. It includes activities, youtube videos and some disciplinary literacy around the word value, and where it comes from. A must for any PHSE, citizenship or relationships teacher trying to help students get a grip on their own values in a world which is changing at an increasing pace.

A lesson that explores what Humanism is, including descriptions, embedded videos, exploration of controversy surrounding Richard Dawkins and independent learning activities and discussions. Also, for the creatives out there, an extension which involves writing a rap. Learning questions include: What is Humanism? What do Humanists believe? What are the challenges of believing in Humanism? Extension: Is Humanism a religion? This is intended to help students explore and think with nuance about Humanism, the role of religion in the modern world (if indeed it has any), and is differentiated in its tasks: each question gets increasingly difficult and there are differentiated targets for video clips and activities.

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 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.

What is a drug? What are the categories of drugs? What do religious believers believe about drugs? At least 2 lessons of work here about Drugs, Alcohol and Religious Attitudes to Substance abuse to help students understand the dangers of substance abuse. The Powerpoints include an embedded video from Teacher TV about alcohol abuse (which is really good!) and there's plenty of activities to explore with them. A bonus lesson here too debating legalisation and decriminalisation of cannabis.

This lesson is an introduction to global citizenship, part of a module on Global citizenship, that begins with a personal look at the individual. It includes youtube videos, mindmaps, one print out and structured questions to help students understand their own biases and the biases of the class they are in. It is a powerful step forward for self reflective learners, uses PELTS well, and incorporates SMSC, Ethics, PHSE, Citizenship and geography into one topic. Tasks are differentiated, with questions going from easy to more difficult. Ideal for KS3-4 (11-16yr olds). Learning Questions include: What is global citizenship? What is my own personal, social, historical and economic background? How might my background affect how I see the world?

A PPT with a variety of extensions to give students an idea about what all the fuss is about. The PPT itself is pretty self explanatory, and contains links to a variety of youtube videos (some are animations) as well as the Specials 'Free Nelson Mandela&' single. What a legend!

A brief overview of what an election is, what a hung parliament is, and a debate about if 16 year olds should be able to vote. A chance for your students to make their own parties, too, and vote for them. WARNING: the youtube clip from the first slide has some mild obscenity in it (it's a humorous video by a made up party called the CBA party: intended to get students 'onside' - but not suitable for primary).

An attempt to help students understand how we might move past the viciousness of violence and extremism using the examples of the truth and reconciliation commission and Desmond Tutu.