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.
ORIGIN OF DIVERSITY IN ISLAM 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 the origins of diversity within in Islam (Sunni and Shia Muslims)
• Explain why the imamate is important and Shia Islam
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
Independent practice task:
• Clear success criteria
• Writing frames
• 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
IMAMATE (SHIA ISLAM) 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 why the imamate is important and Shia Islam
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
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
SUNNI & SHIA (SHARED) KEY BELIEFS ISLAM 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.
Sunni and Shia beliefs are complex so in this first of a two part lesson, students begin by identifying similarites between them EG Tawhid. The second part of this lesson is available in my shop and students then identify differences EG Imamate.
YOUR STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
• Compare similar Sunni and Shia key beliefs
• Evaluate whether following the Six Articles of faith is the best way to please Allah
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
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
SUNNI AND SHIA (DIFFERENT) KEY BELIEFS 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.
Sunni and Shia beliefs are complex in lesson Part one (available on my shop) students learn similarities between them EG Tawhid. In this lesson they learn differences between the key beliefs EG imamate.
YOUR STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
• Recall Six Articles of Faith and five roots.
• Explain why these are important beliefs
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
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
ISLAM: CRIME AND THE LAW will spark students’ curiosity and critical thinking. It’s engaging, scaffolded and challenging for academic rigour. It is easy to deliver for specialists and non-specialists alike. Requires minimal printing and preparation.
YOUR STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER EXAM QUESTIONS ON:
AQA THEME: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Explain Muslim beliefs (with reference to sacred writing) about:
• Shariah Law and State Law
• Unjust Laws
• Fitrah
• Murder, theft and hate crime
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
The Crucifixion (Gospel Accounts) will spark your 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 Gospel accounts of the crucifixion and how these show Jesus was divine
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
RESURRECTION OF JESUS will spark your 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 Gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection
Explain reasons for the resurrection
Evaluate whether the resurrection is a made-up story
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
RESURRECTION (INFLUENCE) 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 ways the resurrection of Jesus influences Christians today
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
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
‘Crucifixion (reasons why Jesus was crucified)’ will spark your 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 the ‘earthly’ and ‘spiritual’ reason for Jesus’ crucifixion with reference to sacred writing. They will know that Jesus was arrested for blasphemy (earthly reason) and that God planned Jesus’ death to serve as atonement for human sin (Spiritual reason)
CONTAINS ALL THE FEATURES OF AN EXCELLENT LESSON:
Tasks broken down to prevent cognitive overload
Do Now retrieval of critical content for this lesson.
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
NATURE OF GOD (CHRISTIAN BELIEFS) will spark your 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:
• Define 7 key terms used to define God
• Explain these Christian beliefs about the nature of God with reference to sacred writing.
• Evaluate whether a God with these attributes exists
CONTAINS ALL THE FEATURES OF AN EXCELLENT LESSON:
Tasks broken down to prevent cognitive overload
Do Now retrieval of critical content for this lesson.
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
EUTHANASIA: CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM & HUMANISM: AQA THEME B 'RELIGION AND LIFE. Concise, comprehensive and challenging exam-focused lesson. **Resource light & easy to follow.
** Suitable for delivering:
AQA Religious Studies: Theme B: EUTHANASIA
Students will be able to:
• Define different types of euthanasia
• Explain UK law on euthanasia
• Discuss case study from the media
• Evaluate with reference to scripture: ‘Everyone should have the right to die’
Activities include:
Reading log activity, exam questions with model answers. Videos / discussion Peer assessment.
Concise, comprehensive and challenging exam-focused lesson.
Date on slide updates automatically.
Resource free** (no printing required)**
Easy to follow (non-specialist friendly, with notes)
SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING:
AQA RELIGIOUS STUDIES: RELATIONSHIPS: FAMILY TYPES AND ROLES (Humanism/Islam/Christianity)
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• Define different types of families and state which are legal in the UK
• What is the nature of the family
• What is the role of parents and children
• Evaluate whether the nuclear family is the ideal family type
Activities include:
Recap starter, mastery through structured partnered discussion, videos to enrich learning and give writing hands a rest, model answer analysis, exam question with self/peer assessment & student friendly success criteria.
*I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.
*
SANCTITY VERSUS QUALITY OF LIFE. ABORTION/EUTHANASIA. AQA THEME B: RELIGION AND LIFE. Concise, comprehensive and challenging exam-focused lesson. Resource light & easy to follow.
Suitable for delivering:
AQA Religious Studies: Theme B: SANCITY OF LIFE V QUALITY OF LIFE
Students will be able to:
• the sanctity of life and quality of life debate
• apply concepts of sanctity of life and quality of life to issues of abortion and euthanasia
• Evaluate which is most important Sanctity or Quality of Life
Activities include:
Reading log activity, exam questions with model answers. Videos / discussion Peer assessment.
SAWM LESSON ENABLES LEARNERS TO: Explain how, when and why Muslims do ‘Sawm’ (fasting) with reference to scripture. #ENGAGE, DIFFERENTIATE, CHECK UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, REDUCE COGNITIVE OVERLOAD.
SINGLE LESSON
TEACH AS PART OF GCSE. AQA ISLAM PRACTICES
OR AS A STAND-ALONE LESSON
PRIOR LEARNING: Students may know some religious teachings about the Night of Power and origins of the Five Pillars. However this will be revisited in this lesson.
**TASKS INCLUDE: **
Do Now (recap to activate relevant prior knowledge)
Planned questioning.
Chunked activities to prevent cognitive overload
Whole class assessment to check understanding
End task Writing task with sentence starters, key term and quote banks
**PEDAGOGY FEATURES: **
• Recap (activate prior knowledge)
• Exam skills: Independent Practice
• Planned questioning.
• Check whole class understanding.
• Address misconceptions
• Reduce cognitive overload
• Differentiation by extra challenges and scaffolding
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 QUALITY RESOURCES VISIT 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.
Trinity and Oneness of God - AQA RS CHRISTIAN BELIEFS #FUN LESSONS.
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: Trinity and Oneness of God
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• To analyse key Christian creeds and explain the doctrinal concept of the trinity, Homoousios and hypostatic union.
• Evaluate whether God can be both immanent and transcendent
Activities include:
Customisable recap do-now starter, a variety of tasks to learn:
The Nicene creed and how it demonstrates that God is three persons in one, the roles of the three persons of the trinity, the Christian concepts of Homoousios and hypostatic union. How the trinity and beliefs of omnipotence and omnipresence can be used to argue that God is both transcendent and immanent. Writing task that focuses on skills of justification and strong religious reference with modelling.
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.
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.
Person of Jesus: Crucifixion / CHRISTIAN BELIEFS/AQA/ 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:
Crucifixion: Person of Jesus / Christian Beliefs
Students will be able to (with reference to source of authority):
• To explain Christian beliefs about the earthly and spiritual reasons for Jesus crucifixion.
Activities include:
Customisable recap do-now starter, a variety of tasks to learn about:
Sinful nature of human beings
The nature of atonement and Jesus role in this
The Four Gospel accounts: comparative analysis
Spiritual and earthly reasons for his death
Time line from arrest to death
Non-Christian sources of the Crucifixion
Exam skills: 5 mark answer with model answer full self-assessment
I hope you enjoy teaching this lesson. Your feedback is most welcome.