Related links
Year 7 Curriculum Guide
Religious Studies
The intention of Religious Studies at Key Stage 3 is to build on students' personal, spiritual and religious experiences. It seeks to contribute to the development of their own beliefs and values, and deepen and broaden knowledge and understanding of religion.
In the first term students will study a unit with the key theme focusing on "Beliefs and Concepts". Key ideas and questions of meaning in religions and beliefs include issues related to God, truth, the world, human life and life after death.
The second term gives students the opportunity to learn about human spirituality and how it is expressed through the creative arts. Examples are taken from Christianity, Sikhism and Buddhism. Students will build on their understanding of symbolism to interpret artistic representations of beliefs, ideas and aspects of spirituality and at the same time will reflect on their own spirituality and consider ways of expressing it graphically.
The final unit in this year begins by looking at "The United Nations Declaration of Human rights" and explores the rights and responsibilities we have as humans. This unit then focuses on justice and the work of religious people putting their faith into action.
Throughout Key Stage 3 students are taught in mixed ability groups with the use of differentiated tasks and materials to ensure the particular physical, emotional and intellectual needs of the students are met.
A wide variety of different learning activities are adopted during the year, including drama, art and craft, reflective/creative writing, small and whole group discussions, learning through games and experiential activities such as guided fantasies and periods of stillness for personal reflection.
Homework tasks reflect the differentiated approach to teaching Religious Studies. Tasks include multimedia research which requires the use of local newspapers/adverts, display boards, TV, internet and radio. Students of all abilities are encouraged to develop appropriate research skills so that they can contribute to class activities and further extend their knowledge on particular topics.
Key Text Books
- Large, C., This is RE! Book 1. ISBN 07195 7439 0
- Palmer, M. and Bisset, E., Worlds of Difference. ISBN 0216 91666 6
- Penney, S., Discovering Religions: Sikhism. ISBN 043530305 8
- Thurley, S., Sikhism in Words and Pictures ISBN 0 08 035102 6
- Mercier, S.L. with Fajeant, J., Skills in Religious Studies, Book 1. ISBN 0435 30200 0
- Mercier, S.L. with Fajeant, J., Skills in Religious Studies, Book 2. ISBN 0435 30201 9
- Mercier, S.L. with Fajeant, J., Skills in Religious Studies, Book 3. ISBN 0435 30202 7
- Living Faiths. The Chalkface Project ISBN 186025 1382
- Wright, C., Jesus for Today. ISBN 0 19 917239 0
Page updated Wednesday, May 15, 2013