RE   Year 9

Unit 9B Rites of Passage

Last modified 24/08/02

by P Clark

About the unit

 

In this unit pupils discover how three of the world’s religions mark special occasions in human life. Pupils develop their understanding of how religious beliefs are expressed in practice through ceremonies. They compare and contrast the practices they discover in the different religions, and evaluate their importance to the lives of believers. They study and examine the concept of commitment and reflect on their own commitments. Teachers may decide to take one or two religions that are covered in this unit and study them in greater detail, rather than looking at all three, or substitute other religions. This unit may link with work in PSHE and citizenship.

 

Where the unit fits in

This unit follows on from work about specific religions in year 7 and 8 (life of Jesus and Muhammad + Sikhism). It will inform students about religious motive and affect which will be important in GCSE R.E.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expectations

At the end of this unit

 

all pupils will: show that they know and understand some Jewish, Christian, Sikh and Muslim rites of passage; understand how belonging to a particular religion affects people’s lives at certain times; make informed responses to religious ceremonies, explaining their importance to a believer; articulate their own views about how the ceremonies are similar or different; reflect on the nature of commitment and think about their own individual commitments

 

most pupils will: compare and contrast the ceremonies of the three religions, understanding the main beliefs that these practices reveal; articulate their own views clearly and weigh up those of others, giving clear reasons for their conclusions; reflect on what it means to believe and be committed to a faith, and reflect on their own beliefs and experiences in the light of this

 

some pupils will have progressed further and will: articulate their own views fully and evaluate those of others, drawing well-reasoned conclusions; reflect on what it means to be committed to a faith, and reflect on their own beliefs and experiences in the light of this

 

 

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 monotheism, polytheism, ceremony, rite of passage, baptism, christening, confirmation, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Aquiqah, Shahadah

 

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

·                organize content into complete text with the relationship between points/paragraphs clearly signaled, eg therefore, nevertheless

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Prior Learning

 

It is helpful if pupils have:

·       learnt to use technical terminology within the study of religion

·       learnt to interpret source materials from inside faith communities, taking account of different perspectives

·       had opportunities to develop skills of empathy and attitudes of sensitivity and respect

·       had opportunities to agree and disagree with others in a constructive way

·       learnt how to consider and evaluate different practices within a number of religions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rites of Passage

 

Learning Objectives

Pupils should learn:

Possible teaching activities

Learning outcomes

Pupils:

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

 

1. Introduction (What is a Rite of Passage?)

·       That a Rite of passage is a ceremony that marks the passing between stages in life.

·       That through their own life and other’s lives there are key moments which define a stage of life

·       Brainstorm ‘When do you stop being a child?’

·       Draw out in discussion that often there is not one moment, however there are sometimes things that identify movement

·       Groups working together list as many stages of life that they can

·       Feedback discuss what defines a stage in life.

·       Group discussion ceremonies to mark the passage

·       Introduce the term ‘Rite of Passage’

·       Lead on to Lesson 2

·       Can repeat the definition of a Rite of passage.

·       Can identify the key stages in people's lives

·       Can identify the significant moments and ceremonies which mark the passage

·       Lesson 1 and 2 will link closely lesson 2 possibly starting in lesson 1

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2. My Path of Life

·       To predict the important stages in their future lives

·       the significance of Rites of Passage

·       The significance of an afterlife for believe.

·       Brainstorm key moments (1st words, school, football, drink etc)

·       Produce ‘My path of life’ highlighting their past and future key moments.

·       Plenary: Use Path of life worksheet to examine the different emphasis on Religious believers who believe in Reincarnation and Heaven.

·       Can identify the key stages in their own life

·       Reflect on their progress through life

·       Understand the affect religious belief may have on their path of life

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·                Big pieces of paper

·                Felt tip pens

3. Muslim Birth Rites

·       About Muslim birth rites

·       That Muslims use symbolism in their birth ceremony

·       That a Muslim Birth ceremony reflects significant beliefs of Muslims

·       Refer to Muslim Beliefs lesson Unit 1. ‘What do Muslims believe?’

·       Read through ‘Muslim Birth’ sheet. Use focus questions to point towards the significance of each action

·       Discuss the individual aspects of the ceremony and the symbolism involved

·       Answer questions on the sheet

·       Can explain what Muslims do with a new born baby

·       Understand the symbolism involved in the rites of passage

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·                Muslim Birth worksheet

4. Comparison of Birth Rites

·       About Christian and Buddhist birth rites

·       That there are similarities between the birth rites of the three religions covered.

·       Brainstorm Christening

·       Explain Christening

·       Task in exactly 50 words explain Christening

·       Read through Buddhism sheet

·       Discuss significance of symbols

·       Plenary: Group work using Cards to highlight similarities

·       Can identify the key elements of Buddhist and Christian R of P

·       Can compare and contrast the 3 religions studied

·       Can recognise the significance of symbolism in R of P

·       A very pacey lesson timing is essential

·                Cards

5. My Birth Rite of Passage

·       Further about the symbolism involved in Rites of passage

·       From previous lesson use card game as a starter

·       Discuss the symbols (Honey, water, thread)

·       Pupils produce a leaflet for their own birth ceremony which may be religious or note. Leaflet includes the order of service and an explanation of the symbols used.

·       Learn from religion and apply this knowledge to their own R of P

·       Demonstrate an understanding of ritual symbolism

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·       A4 paper for leaflets

6. Sikh initiation (Entering the Khalsa)

·       About the commitment to Sikhism that entering the Khalsa involves.

·       Use cards from y7 to test knowledge of the 5 K’s

·       Read through information sheet about entering the Khalsa

·       Watch video

·       Use questions to produce notes

·       Q & A testing as a plenary

·       Identify the significant aspects of the R of P and the Symbolism involved.

·       Explain why a entering the Khalsa is important to a Sikh.

·       Hwk research Bar Mitvah for next lesson

·       Cards

·       Video

·       Worksheet

7. Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah

·       About the significance of Bar (& Bat) Mitzvah for Jews

·       Pupil group work to produce presentation on research from hwk (information supplied in lesson, sheets and books)

·       Presentations

·       Video

·       Quick Q&A test as plenary

·       Explain the Bar Mitzvah ceremony to others.

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·       Books and info for presentations

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8. Christian Marriage

·       About Christian marriage and it’s symbols

·       How marriage in a church would help a couple in their married life (preparation for GCSE)

·       Brainstorm the ceremony

·       Discuss the symbols

·       Watch a wedding video

·       Talk through Christian marriage worksheet

·       Draw pictures for each element of Christian marriage

·       Hold a mock wedding

·       Plenary preparation for homework class brainstorm, ‘How does a Christian wedding help a couple in their future married life?’

·       Understand the significance of a Christian wedding and it’s symbols

·       Recognise the affect a Christian wedding would have on believers

·       Hwk: Written piece, ‘How does a Christian wedding help a couple in their future married life?’

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9. Death Rites

·       To explore and compare funeral rites in 4 religions

·       To recognise the significance of death for religious people

·       Jigsaw lesson

·       Split into 4 groups each group focuses on 1 religion.

·       Answer key questions in research task

·       Regroup to groups of 4 share information and produce display work.

·       Use cards to test knowledge.

·       Can compare and contrast Death rites in four religions

·       Can present information about one rite of passage to a group

·       Speaking and listening links

·       Cards

10. Life after Death

·       About beliefs about life after death

·       That religious people believe that life does not end in death

·       Use cards to test from previous lessons

·       Brainstorm life after death

·       Read through life after death sheet using focusing questions

·       Answer questions

·       Plenary ‘What have we learnt in this unit’ Quiz.

·       Can identify different beliefs about life after death

·       Can state which beliefs are for which religion

·       Can describe how beliefs about life after death will affect the believer

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·       Cards

 

           BUXTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION