The text books give a framework and ideas for the lesson but each lesson needs to be developed based upon the learning objectives, using the text as a resource but not as the lesson in itself.

Aim: To consider the difference between the things we want and the things we need.

Make a list of the five things you would take with you if you were to be stranded on a desert island (Given that you have food, water and the cloths you are wearing)

Look at OHP transparencies of disaster images (or use pictures on page 41 of Icons)

Illustrate with examples of the needs and wants of people in some parts of the developing world when compared to ours. (Education, Health etc.)

Lead Reflection/ Mediation on needs and wants: get them to think about the most in important thing(s) in their life, the things they need most.

On square of paper get pupils to made a ‘gift’ that opens up to reveal an explanation of their real needs (Refer back to Christmas) Colour and stick in book.

Aim: To explore the Christian belief that God is the true answer to all our needs.

Give an example of a time when someone was saved and how he or she was saved. (Dad – landmine)

Explore the belief that Jesus is our saviour – and that the name Jesus means saviour.

Aim: To begin to explore the life of Jesus as God’s response to our need – Jesus as saviour.

Aim: To explore how Christians can respond to the mission of Christ in their lives particularly in relation to lent and the preparation for Easter.

Note that one of the main reasons Jesus’ came to earth was allow people to make a new start like the other executed prisoner.

Reflect/ talk about the ideas surrounding lent and it’s purpose to help Christians to make a new start, to repent and believe.

Perhaps begin by eating some chocolate – how does is feel to go without? Why go without deliberately? Outline the reasons why people fats – self disciple etc.

Show image of someone in need - discuss why people give money to the needy – how can it help us make a new start?

Using the ideas we have looked at, design little reminder cards that could be given out at lent to remind people about making a new start and how they can do that. Colour and decorate.

Aim: To examine how the work of Christ continues today in the work of CAFOD To begin research (on the internet) for a project on the work of CAFOD

Link – Jesus save – this lesson we are going to look at a practical example of how Jesus, working through others can save people living in poverty.

Read account of a person living in the developing world and some of the difficulties they have to endure.

(Go through and take out all the things that a family living in poverty would not have.)

Look at the section on Cafod/ read through and do research work based upon it and any other resources you have.

Pupils could work in pairs or small groups to research the work of CAFOD with reference to a particular project they do – to present it in the form of a poster/ leaflet?

Aim: To consider the idea of sacrifice – people giving up something to help someone else.

(Find illustration more interesting than the one provided- unless you find county swimming championships thought provoking!)

Now look at the example of two Christians who have sacrificed their lives in amazing ways

Written work

Finish lesson with a prayer/ meditation linking this idea of sacrifice to lent and the time when we remember God’s ultimate sacrifice. Tell story of Deaf boy and the bus.

A Man is driving down a hill in a bus full of people, he sees a boy on the road in front but the breaks fail. He either has to go over the cliff and kill all the people in the bus or run the boy down. He knows the boy will not hear the horn, as the boy is deaf. He believes his only option is to run the boy down to save the lives of the others. The reason he knows the boy is deaf is because the boy is his son.

Outline the Christian belief that Jesus came to sacrifice his life on the cross and that at Easter we remember this fact.

Show clip from Jesus of Nazareth where Jesus enters Jerusalem - note that this is the beginning of Holy Week.

Draw a cartoon strip or set of words and symbols showing the events in Holy week before the last supper – this will be looked at in a subsequent lesson. (The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple etc)

Aim: To examine the important of Holy Thursday – Christ’s idea of service.

Get pupils to think about a time when they were really nervous/ scared – discuss the emotions and anxiety felt in those situations.

From ‘Taken on trust’ – Terry Waite was in his cell when one of his captors came in and told him her was going to die, TW said what her thought was a final prayer and waited to be shot. Instead the gun man just told him not today and left.’

Also account of Rwandan Priest who was captured and was on his knees about to be shot when one of the ‘soldiers’ recognised him as one of his old teachers and he was saved.

(Note – the last supper in itself will not be the focus but instead Maundy Thursday.)

Note down events on Maundy Thursday on board

Written work –discuss responses according to the ability of the group.

1. Explain what happened on the final evening of Jesus’ life on earth.

2. Explain how Catholics remember these events.

3. Explain the symbolism in the washing of the feet.

4. Explain how Christians could respond to Jesus’ command to ‘Love one another’.

Good Friday

Aim: To examine the importance of Good Friday – Christ’s saving act of love.

Show image of a cross – discuss the symbolism and meaning.

(Use images from the ‘Christ we share’ pack)

Read the crucifixion scene from one of the Gospels

Look at how Catholic remember this – give own experience of passion play.

Introduce the stations of the cross

Look at the sheet on the stations

Get pupils to use these images to cut and paste their own series of ‘Stations’ in their book with an account of each.

End with a reflection focusing on two or three of the stations.

Easter Vigil

Aim: To reflect of the importance of Easter – life ever lasting

Darken room – light candle

Spend some time in reflection looking at the candle – ask pupils to think about the symbolic imagery of the candle. Why is light important? Why is Jesus described as a light.

Describe the Easter vigil and the role of light.

Look at the other symbols and symbolic images used – the cross; the Pascal candle and its symbolism; Alpha and Omega.

Written work

Pupils are to design the front cover of an order of service for an Easter vigil – on the front cover the must include the following:

A Pascal candle (Or light)

Alpha and Omega

A cross

The prayer – ‘Christ yesterday and today …’ (Icons p.51)

The cover must include an explanation of the symbols used.

Recap

13. Key words recap lesson

Give sheet with key words on.

Other useful pages – Icons 15, 20, 27, 34, 40, 46, 52 .

Introduction – explain that before we move on to the next piece of work that we are going to have a recap of the key words that we have been doing so far this year.

Using flash cards, quiz pupils on their memory of some of the key words done over the year.

Give them the information sheet with all the year 7 key words plus the page references for the extra words shown in the Icons book.

Task

using the words, their definitions, symbols, pictures and lots of colour – design a Key Word fact sheet.

End of lesson – quick quiz on meanings of the key words

2C Living as Easter people Church

By the end of this section of work students should:

The Church’s role as witness to the resurrection of Jesus;
The Easter invitation to a new way of living.

Living as Easter people

Aim: To examine the meaning of the Baptismal vows

Recap on the symbolism and imagery of light and dark

Look at symbolism of light and darkness – goodness and evil

Brainstorm on the board examples in the world/ society/ people of ‘light’ (Goodness) & ‘darkness’ (Evil)

Now Read the Baptismal vows (page 53 Icons)

In pairs get pupils to consider in which ways the vows are getting Christians to reject evil. Get them to note down as many examples as they can.

Read John 8: 12

Do the ‘Jesus the light of the world’ activity worksheet

Witnesses

Aim: To consider how some of the disciples responded to the resurrection of Jesus.

Introduction

Recap on the idea of light & dark explored last lesson

Show image of the Turin Shroud

Tell the background to the shroud and the various pieces of evidence that may or may not make it genuine.

Expand the discussion on unusual events or occurrence’s

Read an account of the resurrection - then discuss the whole idea about rising from the dead and why this would be such an amazing occurrence. Explain that the Roman soldiers would have been forced to carry out the crucifixion diligently/ that Jesus would have been killed.

Now examine the idea of evidence.

Read the accounts in Icons page 55.

Written work.

Imagine that you are an investigator sent by the Roman authorities – using the Bible reference accounts on page 56 write a detailed report detailing the witnesses and what they say. Include the following: who they are/ background etc; their relationship to Jesus; what they saw and heard; your views/ conclusion.

Salt light

Introduction: Read the story without salt (page 31 from the teachers hand book)

Illustrate with own stories from Africa and the need for salt in a hot climate.

Read the passage from Matthew 5: 13-16

Discuss the meaning with the class.

Explain the aims of the lesson - to explore ways in which Christians can be ‘Salt’ and ‘light’ in the world.

Play the Banana game – information on page 31 of teachers book needed.

Draw out the idea that a way to be ‘salt and light’ is to have compassion and support the promotion of justice in the world. One way to do this is through fair trade.

Research/Homework activity

Give pupils research to do on fair trade to find out five facts from the fair trade web site and write those up in their books.

Go on to www.traidcraft.co.uk

Click on to ‘about fair trade’

Read the information

In about half a page, and in your own words, explain how fair trade helps those living in poverty in the developing world.

2D Called to Change Sacraments

By the end of this section of work students should:

The place of forgiveness in life and its power to bring about change;
How the church celebrates forgiveness.

Called to change

Aim: To begin to explore the concept of Christian forgiveness

Introduction.

Brainstorm – what is the worst thing anyone has ever done to you?

Give own relevant experience. Ask for theirs (No names to be mentioned!)

Look at the headlines.

Discuss and write about the questions posed.

Look at the power of forgiveness

Use story of someone to show how powerful forgiveness could be

Nelson Mandela, Gandhi.

Use relevant film clip (e.g. Gandhi) –

Discuss the significance of forgiveness in the story

Celebrating love and mercy

Aim: To explore the Christian belief that God is a Forgiving and loving God

Introduction:

Give scenario – someone does something wrong.

Use video clip or give example - E.g. a pupil sees a £5 note drop out of a pocket of a year 7 pupil. This person picks it up and without really thinking keeps it. They are then wracked with guilt. If they give it back they could be in trouble. Or they could just keep it.

What should they do? – discuss

Assuming that most say it should be given back! – Ask Q why.

Draw out the idea of guilt and conscience.

Why do we feel guilty.

Diagnostic assessment on confession - Brainstorm what they know about confession

Loot at some of the words involved: conversion, repentance etc.

Read through the story of the prodigal son – (Do as reflection – music etc.)

Look at the relationship of the sacrament to the story

Pair work – look at the story and answer the questions in the ‘talk about’.

Written work

Prepare for Sacrament of reconciliation activity on Iconstoo

Using the relevant information on pages 59 to 62……

Design a leaflet/booklet for children taking their first Confession.

Celebrating love and mercy II

Aim: To reflect upon God’s love and forgiveness

Recap on last lesson – from the story what was God the father like?

Pair work

Read psalm 103

Write down the words that tell us about God’s love, mercy and forgiveness

Liturgy

In Chapel –

Reading from Isaiah 53: 5

Give out pieces of paper

Lead meditation/ reflection

Think about the things you have done wrong: people you have hurt etc.

Imagine those things written on the paper

Lead prayer of sorrow– give them option to make the prayer their own

Then one by one to fold the paper up, tear in two and drop into basket.

End with a prayer about the belief that we are forgiven by God if we are truly sorry.

Written Work

Choose part of the psalm - write it out and illustrate.

Include a summary explanation at the end explaining the meaning of the psalm.

2/3E A place for prayer Prayer

By the end of this section of work students should:

The spiritual side of being human
The prayer Jesus taught his disciples and some catholic prayer traditions.

A Place for prayer

Aim: To consider the spiritual side of being human

· Show OHP picture of a snail, slug or other primitive organism.

Ask how we differ from this organism. (Draw out idea that we need relationships, friendship, love etc.)

· Now look at the scientific facts about what we are made from (See page 64 or do on OH transparency - bring some of the things into lesson)

Draw out idea that even though that is what we are made of – it is just our ‘material’ side – we also have a spiritual side, to be truly human we need more than just the basics of life, we are more than just water and carbon.

· Brainstorm all the other things that make us up apart from the material

Supplement their list with the following words and explain, give examples, anecdotes, etc:

Human spirit, creativity, imagination, inventiveness, a soul etc.

Explain that all these ideas contribute to our ‘spiritual’ side.

· Give pupils definition of the word ‘spiritual’ (Things that are not to do with the material world, that that are sacred, special or holy and only Human beings possess.)

· Draw a figure – on one side explain the ‘material’ substances from which we’re made, on the other explain the ‘spiritual’ of what people are.

Finish with a fantasy meditation – exploring the beauty of creation.

A place of prayer II

Aims: To explore the need for prayer n our lives

Resources: A4 paper, music for meditation, incense stick, candles, matches.

Discuss - what time of the day do you like the best and why?

In your life which days have or do you think will be the most special days?

Note that for Christians time is also very important because there are special or sacred times

In groups (give them sheet of A4 paper to write on) write down all the times

they can think of that are special for Christians

Brainstorm - pupils to add any extras to their lists

Write up in books

Intro – look at images of people at prayer (Use OHP images or Icons page 65)

Discuss pictures and draw out the meaning and purpose of prayer.

Practical example of a sacred time/ prayer - light candles - burn incense - prayer /meditation

In prayer look again at the ‘spiritual’ side of our selves

Explore the idea that prayer helps Christians to draw closer to God, to develop their ‘spirituality’.

Prayer of all disciples

Aim: Explore the meaning and purpose of the Our father

Play the CJM version of the Our father

Look at the three versions of the Our father

In Pairs discuss the ‘Think and talk’ work

Look at the ‘Classwork’ activity

Talk through each section in turn and do the written work

Prayer of the church

Aim:

Begin with Gregorian Chant –

Recap/ ask questions on the ideas looked at over the last few lessons – Spirituality & Prayer

Show picture of Monk or other religious – ask questions about who they are/ what they do – bring out the idea of church and prayer.

Look at the Psalms – what are they trying to say?

Look at how they are used in the church

Look at master copy 14

Prepare work for ICT activity on the Iconstoo site

Book of Hours

Using the preparation from last lesson use the ‘Prayer of the church’ activity on the Iconstoo site.

The Rosary

Aim: To explore the meaning and use of the Rosary in prayer.

Introduction:

Begin with prayer mediation/ reflection on a story from the gospels. (music in background – read or recount the story and evolve the reflection into a prayer)

Brainstorm on board – from what they know of the other parts of Jesus’ life– what were the happiest/ saddest times.

Explain that this lesson we are going to look at a special prayer that is based upon Jesus’ life.

Show the giant size rosary – use as discussion point.

What are the prayers said etc.

Explain the idea that the rosary is a meditation prayer - go over prayers said and how the rosary is used.

Give out Copy master sheet 13 and explain that although prayers like the Our father are said the person praying is actually thinking about the various events in Jesus’ life.

Put up OHP of the words: Joyful, Sorrowful & Glorious

Get pupils in pairs/ groups order the events into each category – pupils can highlight appropriately.

Written activity

Draw a diagram of the Rosary and label with the prayers said and the different mysteries.

E Other faiths: Hinduism

Note: There is not much on Hinduism in the Icons programme therefore some schools may want to expand this section with their own resources and themes.

1. Introduction to Hinduism

Aims: Crash course in Hinduism!

Brainstorm other religions that they have heard about.

Open up the idea that there are lots of different religions in the world and in the UK.

Look at the chart on page 70 and then convert it into a bar chart.

Look at Image/OHP of Ganesha

Tell story of Ganesha and introduce some ideas about Hinduism

Look at the map of where Hindus come from and where they live – discuss and identify the key areas.

Read account from a Hindu believer.

Look at the Hindu symbol ‘Om’

Draw the symbol in their books and explain significance and meaning.

End with a meditation - reflecting on the quietness around them/ their heart beat etc.

2. Hindu belief in Brahma

Introduce the belief in one God who can be spoken about in different ways.

Recap of story of Ganesha from last lesson

Show OHT of other God’s – explore some of the iconography and discuss the image of God being portrayed.

Research – using different text books on Hinduism – in groups get pupils to research information about different Hindu Gods.

They are to report back to the class with general information about the incarnation of God they have chosen and what he/she looks like.

Write up research

Extension activity – use the Hindu activity on Iconstoo.

Year & lessons plans

Unit 2

Example 1

Written work

Task

Introduction

Research/Homework activity

Written work

Written Work

Aim: To consider the spiritual side of being human

Aims: To explore the need for prayer n our lives

Written activity

E Other faiths: Hinduism