Raising the Standard, Flying the Flag - Challenging Activities for all in RE at Key Stage 3

Janet Orchard introduces some excerpts from her book, Raising the Standard. The book contains photocopiable worksheets and illustrations, so please note that many of the files are quite large.

Unit 1: Developing ICT skills: Why do people go on pilgrimage?

Janet writes:

This unit explores the theme of pilgrimage in its physical, literal sense. Project work seems appropriate to this topic which involves exploration and a personal search for meaning. This unit of work was also a journey of discovery for me. I have to confess to a wariness of project work. Students seem to spend an inordinate amount of time talking to each other about everything apart from their project.They copy rather than make notes when they have been told half a dozen times not to. Nevertheless, this frustration is part of a vicious study circle that needs to be broken, for at some point students really do need to experience working for themselves and, if necessary, learning from their mistakes.This was brought home to me many times as we tried this project with different groups of students.

Overview: Why do people go on pilgrimage?

The overview provides a list of the key questions and concepts in the unit, in the form of a suggested scheme of lessons. The published book has worksheets and other resources to help with all of these lessons, some of which are available online, as listed below. (pilgoverview.pdf, PDF, 335 KB)

Was this a pilgrimage?

What qualifies as a pilgrimage? Is it the journey, the experience, or the nature of the site visited? This exercise helps pupils to examine the concept of pilgrimage, and to explore what they think is at the heart of pilgrimage, through reading and written response. (pilgexercise.pdf, PDF, 398 KB)

Library research task

The library research task sheets provide a way to help pupils structure some individual research into pilgrimage before beginning on their projects. (pilglibrarytask.pdf, PDF, 349 KB)

The pilgrimage research project

The core of the pilgrimage unit is a research project, using ICT to find out and present the information. The book contains various worksheets to help guide pupils in their own independent work. Six of these are available online in the project file available here, including 'Where do I look on the Internet?' and 'Important advice before you interview someone'. Some of the sheets can be used or adapted to support the planning of project work on other topics. (pilgproject.pdf, PDF, 1,013 KB)

Unit 2: Learning from religion: How can we explore the journey of life?

Janet writes:

This unit features at the beginning of Year 9 in my school. It is an important balance to the ICT unit. A danger with ICT in RE is that it focuses so strongly on technical ability and research skills that it does not allow for appropriate reflection.The ICT takes over and the distinctive RE input can get lost.This scheme of work allows us to take the pilgrimage theme in a different direction, inside the subject and inside the students to provide balance and depth to the curriculum.

An issue for the department as we introduced this unit was 'How can we explore this subject without being too introspective?' We were concerned to ensure that in attempting to encourage students to reflect on their life stories we were sailing close to the boundaries of teaching and therapy. Obviously the latter is not an appropriate activity. It goes beyond both the role and function of the school and the role and qualifications of the teacher. Not all students wish to disclose personal information.We wanted to make the lessons feel 'safe', offering choices in the manner in which students responded.We offered opportunities for students to reflect on their own life values through an exploration of the lives of other people.

Unit overview

The suggested scheme of lessons for this unit, listing key concepts and topics. (lifeoverview.pdf, PDF, 349 KB)

Teacher's notes

The teacher's notes for this unit outline some of the issues to consider when using the worksheets for this unit, including the use of meditation and reflective work in the classroom. (lifeteacher.pdf, PDF, 364 KB)

A film of a lifetime

The assessment task for the unit, 'A film of a lifetime', encourages pupils to explore their own response to the concept of life as a journey, by devising a film of a lifetime - not necessarily their own lifetime! The worksheets examine elements such as cast, location and title. (lifefilmtask.pdf, PDF, 392 KB)

Life as seasons in the year

This exercise looks at the journey of life using the metaphor of seasons in the year - flashcards are provided to use in classwork. (lifeseasons.pdf, PDf, 463 KB)

Not just another brick in the wall

This sheet describes three reflective activities focusing on themes of community, self-worth and valuing others. (lifebrickideas.pdf, PDF, 372 KB)

Walking the walk

Activities involving movement and the senses, to further explore life's journey. (lifewalkideas.pdf, PDF, 367 KB)

Looking at your life as a tree / Your life map

This sheet outlines two solo activities to help pupils explore their hopes, values and expectations about their own journey through life. (lifetree.pdf, PDF, 357 KB)