Year 4 RE

This lesson asks children to discuss what they already know about Buddhism. It goes on to clearly explain the central ideas and practices of the religion; children will then consider how Buddhism differs from other religions they have studied. Read More

Your children will find out about the ways in which 'Buddha's Birthday' is celebrated around the world, then read the story of the Buddha's enlightenment - a key moment in his life which is celebrated during Vesak. Read More

In this lesson, children will learn all about the ways in which this festival is celebrated and how Buddhists are reminded of the teachings of the Buddha during this event. It includes a set of Ploughing Festival cards to assist children with putting... Read More

With beautiful photographs to study and discuss as well as the option to make a floating basket like those made during the festival, this lesson has everything needed to engage children and teach them all about this very special Buddhist festival. Read More

Teach your children all about the ways in which the Buddhist festival of Songkran is celebrated in Thailand. The slides include beautiful photographs of the annual rituals and celebrations that take place around the country for children to analyse an... Read More

The first lesson in this Christmas Journeys series starts in Bethlehem, the setting for this centuries-old story, and investigates what a pilgrimage is and why many Christians choose to make a pilgrimage to Bethlehem today. Your class will also think... Read More

This Christmas Story KS2 lesson for Year 4 looks at the first part of the nativity story. Your children will discover why Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem from Nazareth, and look at how far the journey would have been. The emphasis is on ho... Read More

Your Year 4 class will be introduced the shepherds of the nativity in this lesson as they continue to read the Christmas story from the point of view of different characters. In the last lesson, they explored how Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehe... Read More

This Three Wise Men lesson for Year 4 explores the role of the three wise men in the nativity story, and looks at how these characters have been represented in music and art across the centuries. Children will read the story of the visit of the wise ... Read More

The final lesson in this Christmas Journeys series explores the role of King Herod in the nativity story and explores the emotions behind this hated character. It then looks at Jesus, Mary and Joseph's long journey into Egypt, and how this young fami... Read More

This first lesson explains what the Hindu aum symbol is and how it symbolises central Hindu beliefs about God, using a story to help illustrate the ideas. Read More

Learn all about a number of Hindu gods and goddesses and the aspects of Hindu belief they each represent. Using the detailed, differentiated resources included, children may then go on to prepare a presentation about what they have learned, or produc... Read More

Everyone has a special place they like to go for peace and quiet. This lesson explains why a shrine is that place for Hindus and how shrines are used in worship. Read More

This lesson looks at offerings in Hinduism, particularly puja. It examines the items on the puja tray and gives your class the chance to discuss why each item is an important part of worship. Read More

Step into the mandir and explore how Hindus worship in these Hindu temples. This lesson introduces your class to some technical terms relating to Hindu worship at the mandir. Read More

This final lesson gives your class the chance to reflect on everything they have learnt throughout the course of the module and to find out the answers to any questions they still have about Hindu worship. Read More

In this lesson, children will consider the factors which contribute to their overall sense of who they are. The slides include questions which challenge children to consider the impact of the shared identities of the groups and communities they belon... Read More

How do you see yourself? How do you think others see you? Starting with considering these questions, children will go on to learn about how identity is expressed in a way that can be seen by others through actions, focussing on the actions that membe... Read More

In this lesson, children will learn all about diversity, focussing on the range of faiths represented in the United Kingdom. The slides include questions which challenge them to consider some of the difficulties faced by members of smaller religious ... Read More

Where do I belong? What do I like about the place where I belong? Challenge your children to consider these questions before going on to think about what it might be like for refugees having to leave their homes behind, and how newcomers can be made ... Read More

What is a global community? What does it mean to be a global citizen? Children will learn all about their rights and responsibilities as global citizens, with the option to debate their ideas regarding global issues or explore different religious per... Read More

This last lesson focuses on the things we share as members of the global community, and the responsibilities we have to help those less well-off. The detailed lesson plan includes a choice of activities where children can consider religious perspecti... Read More

This first lesson introduces your class to Islam and what the Five Pillars of Islam are. Children will learn about where Muslim communities are around the world and why it can be important to be a part of a community or faith. Read More

This lesson explores what happens when a new baby is born into a Muslim family. Your class will learn about where names come from and make inferences about their own name. Children will explore some Islamic names and what they represent. Read More

This lesson teaches your class about the steps involved in a Muslim marriage. They will learn about the traditions and customs for both the bride and the groom. Children will also find out about engagement ceremonies and what Mendhi is. Read More

This lesson explains to children what happens when a Muslim person dies and the emotions people feel when attending a funeral. Children will learn how Muslim's prepare the body for burial and how they comfort family members experiencing loss. Read More

This lesson explains how the Hajj is one of the most important rites of passage in a Muslim person's life. Your class will learn about what a pilgrimage is, what happens on the Hajj and why this pilgrimage is so important to Islamic believers. Read More

Starting way back with Abraham, your class will find out about a promise from God that led to the formation of a nation known as the Israelites. They will read the story of how Jacob’s name changed to ‘Israel’ and learn about his family tree, i... Read More

After recapping Jacob’s family tree, your class will read the story of Joseph up to the point when he is put in prison by Potiphar. They will consider how Joseph might have been feeling at this point and think about how Joseph’s experiences were ... Read More

Continuing with the story of Joseph, this lesson focuses on the role of Joseph as a dream interpreter. They will find out how and why Joseph came to interpret two bad dreams Pharaoh had had, and how this led to Joseph becoming the second most powerfu... Read More

Children will continue the story of Joseph by finding out what happened when the famine hit Egypt and when Joseph’s brothers travelled to Egypt to find food. They will find out that Jacob moved his whole family to Egypt after Joseph had revealed hi... Read More

Children will start by considering what it might be like to live in a foreign country. They will then go on to think about what life was like for the Israelites while they were in Egypt and discover how and why their status changed there. They will c... Read More

The final lesson in this series looks at how the Israelites became slaves in Egypt until they were finally led out of slavery (and Egypt) by Moses. They will think back to the promise God made to Abraham hundreds of years previously and what the even... Read More

Teach children basic facts about Sikhism and share the story of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. In this, the first of five complete lessons in 'Sikh Rites of Passage' for lower KS2, children will learn about the fundamental principles and origin... Read More

Discover how Sikh girls and boys are given their names in the traditional naming ceremony: Naam Karan. In this, the second of five lessons in 'Sikh Rites of Passage' for lower KS2, children will learn all about one of the first rituals young Sikh bo... Read More

Teach children about the Amrit 'baptism' ceremony and how the first Amrit Sanchar (sometimes called Khande di Pahul) was done by the Guru Gobind Singh and his disciples. This is the third of five lessons in 'Sikh Rites of Passage' for lower Key Stag... Read More

Teach children all about Anand Karaj—the Sikh marriage ceremony—and the traditions and customs surrounding it. Enjoy a Sikh wedding with this ready to teach lesson planning pack! Your pupils will find out about the ceremony itself as wel... Read More

Teach children all about the Sikh funeral rites of Antam Sanskar, and discover what Sikhs believe about birth, death and how the two are closely associated. In this, the final lesson in 'Sikh Rites of Passage' for lower KS2 pupils, children will fin... Read More

This scheme of work starts off by asking children to consider their favourite foods and foods they aren’t allowed to eat for any reason. They will then go on to look at some of the rules and restrictions regarding food in the six main world religio... Read More

Starting by challenging children to describe what it feels like to be hungry, this lesson goes on to explore what fasting is and investigate why people of different faiths decide, or are required, to fast. They will look particularly at the 25-hour f... Read More

Leading on from the previous lesson, children will find out how periods of fasting are often ended with special foods or festivals, such as Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan. They will have the chance to explore how different religions use a range of... Read More

This lesson starts by recapping briefly what Judaism is and what Jews believe. They will then read the story of the exodus from slavery in Egypt and be introduced to the festival of Passover. They will look at the foods on the seder plate, what they ... Read More

During the final lesson in this series, your class will read the story of the Last Supper and think about the important symbolism of bread and wine to those of the Christian faith. They will find out how different churches remember Jesus sharing brea... Read More

The children will discover the way religion was structured and organised at the beginning of the Tudor period. They explore the monarch’s role in religion and the practices and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church. The children are given the chance... Read More

Introduce your class to the historical figure Martin Luther and discuss how his actions changed religion in Britain. Find out who he was and his reasons behind wanting to change the way in which the church was run. In this lesson the children will ha... Read More

Was Henry VIII right to separate the Church of England from the Roman Catholic church? Allow your class to investigate Henry VIII’s beliefs about this major change to English religion and the many reasons behind his actions. Then give the children ... Read More

Introduce your class to Edward VI and the beginning of more changes to religion in England when he became king. Reflect back on the beliefs of Martin Luther and the changes that had already been made to England’s religion. The children then use wha... Read More

Reflect on the changes that were made to religion during the Tudor period and how they have changed society today. Discover what role the Church of England has in modern society and how modern Christians uphold or change their beliefs today. Create a... Read More

Have you ever felt the electric atmosphere of a procession or carnival? Take your class back to Jerusalem as they find out about the reception Jesus received when he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and why Christians celebrate with palm crosses today... Read More

Find out how Jesus spent his last meal with his disciples and how he used the bread and wine to explain to his friends what was going to happen to him and to demonstrate that he was their servant king. Your class will then find out how Christians rem... Read More

This lesson teaches your class about the events leading up to Jesus' arrest and looks at how Jesus was let down by his disciples in his time of need in the Garden of Gethsemane. Your children can then consider how different characters in the story mi... Read More

Your class will learn about Jesus' meeting with Pilate and the events surrounding his crucifixion in this lesson as they find out how and where Jesus was put to death. They can then study some different paintings portraying the crucifixion and discus... Read More

This lesson tells the story of Jesus' burial and resurrection and investigates the emotions of Jesus' friends and family when they realise he was raised from the dead. It also challenges children to consider their own ideas about what happens when so... Read More

The final lesson in this series looks at the meaning of the word 'Messiah' and Christian beliefs about Jesus as the Messiah, reading the story of Mary Magdalene as an example. They will then be given the chance to consolidate what they have learnt ab... Read More