Key Questions |
In this unit pupils find out about a place of worship and the role it plays in a religious community. Pupils develop their understanding of how religious beliefs are expressed in practice through studying the features of the place of worship and the activities, including worship, that take place inside it. Pupils become aware of the diversity within the religion by comparing textbook and virtual tour examples of places of worship explored in the classroom with those explored through a visit. They evaluate the importance of a place of worship to believers today. They learn from the visit the significance of the place of worship for the faith community and local people. Pupils reflect on places that have significance for them in the local community. They explore ways in which places in their local community might have significance for them.
This unit is expected to take approximately 7 hours.
This unit builds on work completed on a place of worship in unit 6A ‘Worship and community’ and unit 6E ‘What can we learn from Christian religious buildings?’ in the key stage 2 scheme of work, as well as any work undertaken on the chosen religion.
At key stage 3 pupils should be given more opportunity than at key stage 2 to explore in greater detail the religious beliefs distinctive of a religion through an understanding of its place of worship. The unit should also build on earlier thinking about the nature of God as well as raising ultimate questions.
The unit prepares pupils for evaluative work for GCSE RE/RS.
At the end of this unit
most pupils will: explain with understanding how some of the key beliefs of the religion explored are expressed in the building, in worship and in the wider life of the faith community, including the ideas about God/gods; show understanding of what it means to be a religious believer in today’s world, appreciating that there are differences within this religion, as well as overriding similarities between different communities; reflect on the special qualities of places of worship and describe places of local or community significance in their own lives; develop their own responses to the beliefs and ideas distinctive to the religion studied
some pupils will not have made so much progress and will: describe a place of worship using some correct terms and explain what it is used for; know what this religion believes about God/gods, and express their own ideas about God in response; talk about local places which are special to them
some pupils will have progressed further and will: compare in detail similarities and differences between places of worship within a religious tradition as well as identifying similarities and differences across other religions they have studied; explain how beliefs affect the life of individuals and the religious community; evaluate religious and secular responses to questions of meaning and purpose using appropriate evidence and examples; explain in depth their own views
It is helpful if pupils have:
Through the activities in this unit pupils will be able to understand, use and spell correctly words relating to:
Speaking and listening – through the activities pupils could:
Writing – through the activities pupils could:
Resources include:
Pupils could:
Pupils could go on to: