RE   Year 7

Unit 7B Creation Stories

 

 

 

Last modified 29/07/02

by P Clark

About the unit

 

In this unit pupils learn about the use of religious myth in an explanation of the origins of the universe. They will consider the role of Religion as an answer to questions particularly ultimate questions. They will also have the opportunity to compare their learning about Religious stories with the attempts of Science to explain the universe and humanity.

 

Where the unit fits in

This unit is an introduction to the concept of myth and ultimate questions. It will lead in to work in year 8 about Stone age religion, Year 9 about God and the GCSE unit Religion and Science.

 

 

Expectations

 

At the end of this unit

 

all pupils will: be able to explain the way Religion van answer important questions; be able to explain what a myth is  and give an example of a myth; be able to creatively formulate their own creation myth; reach their own conclusions about the origins of the universe.

 

most pupils will: be able to explain the meaning of all of the creation myths studied; be able to recognise the context in which the myths were written and recognise the effect that less scientific knowledge had on early beliefs.

 

some pupils will have progressed further and will: be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific accounts of creation; recognise the role that religion still plays today in answering ultimate questions; reach their own conclusions about whether science can really offer an ultimate answer in the search for meaning in life.

Language for learning

 

Through the activities in this unit pupils will be able to understand, use and spell correctly words relating to the study of:

Religion, eg myth, ultimate questions, evolution, creation, big bang

Speaking and Listening—through the activities pupils could:

·                               Answer questions using relevant evidence or reasons

·                               Present information in small groups

Writing—through the activities pupils could:

·                               Plan and develop ideas and lines of thinking in continuous text

·                              Create and explain stories and myths

 

 

Prior Learning

It is helpful is pupils have some basic knowledge about scientific views on creation and have learnt about some religious stories with meanings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creation Stories

 

 

 

Learning Objectives

Pupils should learn:

Possible teaching activities

Learning outcomes

Pupils:

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

 

1. Asking questions about the world

·  That the existence of the world and the universe raises questions

·  That science may attempt to provide some answers but that they are not always enough

·  That the existence of God can explain the universe

·  Brainstorm where do we come from. Keep taking students back further and further.

·  Discus what theories people may have as to the existence of the universe.

·  Teacher acting as Devil’s advocate push students to fully explain their answers. Often they will accept a theory without thinking it through

·  Write down the key questions we would all like to know the answers to

·  Written work ‘I think the world came from….’

·  Understand that there are no easy answers to questions about existence

·  Verbalise their own opinions on the existence of the universe

·  Can record these opinions in words

·  Homework research task, find out about the Genesis creation story or another religious creation story (lead in to next lesson)

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2. Genesis

·  The key events of the genesis creation story

·  The significance of myth in religion

·  The effect the story may have on a believer

·  Read through the account from the bible

·  Talk through the events of each day

·  On the Genesis 1 worksheet draw pictures for each day

·  Identify the early ideas of man regarding creation

·  Are aware that the existence of the world is a major reason for some people’s belief in God

·  Possible homework ‘What happened to Adam & Eve?’

·  Bibles

·  Creation worksheet

3. Pan Ku

·  The story of Pan Ku

·  The significance of the myth

·  To compare this story with Genesis

·  Read through the story

·  Class discussion

·  Answer the questions on the sheet

·  Can compare this story with Genesis

·  Can retell the story

·  Show understanding of a world without the benefit of our scientific knowledge

·  Homework, complete sheet

·  Pan Ku worksheet

4. The scientific account of creation

·  A basic account of the scientific view of creation

·  That ultimate questions about the origins of the universe are not answered yet.

·  Following on from lesson one, class discuss how they understand the beginnings of the universe. Encourage pupils to explain the what they mean by the term Big Bang.

·  Read through the work sheet

·  Answer the questions

·  Understand that Religious faith is appropriate in the light of creation, where science does not provide us with all of the answers.

·  Understand the basic science of creation

·  An aim of this lesson is to challenge the view  that Religion has been replaced by science

·  Science and creation worksheet

5. My creation story

·  To empathise with pre-scientific man and to give an account of creation that would explain why things are as they are

·  Briefly discuss stories of creation

·  Written task ‘My account of creation’

·  Use their imagination

·  Show understanding of Myth

·  Learn from Religious views and apply this to their work

·  This could take 2 lessons

·  Homework to continue the task (write up in best)

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           BUXTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION