Year 6: In what way is life like a journey?
Christianity – Church: What do we commit ourselves to on our journey?
Key objectives as questions
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What did you learn in
RE last time?
What do you already
know about
Christianity?
What do you want to
improve in your
knowledge of this
religion?
Central questionWhat do we commit
ourselves to on a
journey?
For Christians
Baptism is a
commitment to God
and the Christian
community
When a Christian is
baptised their life
changes and they end
their old life to start a
new one
Key Skills that can be
covered
I can explain the
significance of some
religious beliefs, teachings
and events for members
of faith communities.
I can explain how some
beliefs and teachings are
shared by different
religions.
I can explain how beliefs
and teachings are shared
by different religions.
I can explain the practices
and lifestyles involved in
belonging to a faith
community.
I can explain how religious
life and practices affect
the lives of individuals
and communities.
Possible activities including use of Computing and Technology
Discuss journeys which the children have made.
Where did they go? Who accompanied them? Who decided upon the
destination and for what reason? Best / worst moments?
Physical journey versus life/ experiences as a journey- What kind of
experiences/periods in your life could you consider a journey? Give
examples
HA- Discuss and write about your journey through a difficult time in
your life.
MA/LA- Discuss and write about a journey you have made.
Looking at what Baptism means.
Part 1- What a Baptism means
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zxd2hyc
Why do you think people get Baptised? Has anyone in the class been
Baptised?
Can you remember when it happened/who went/who the Godparents
are/gifts they received?
Part 2- http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zcb9jxs
Look at the symbolic behaviour in the Baptism ceremony- making
sign of cross, marking baby’s head with water in shape of cross.
HA- Think about Christian behaviours- create own symbol to
illustrate a Christian belief or value and share it with the class.
MA/LA- Create a cross like the one made by the Vicar in the clip and
cover with notes about Baptism.
Possible misconceptions- What is the difference between a baptism
Outcomes/Evidence that
teaching has taken place
Written evidence in books.
Children will have discussed
and written about a journey
they have made
and a christening? (No difference)
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Christians who have
shown commitment
Athletes who have
shown commitment
I can explain some of the
differing ways that
believers show their
beliefs, ideas and
teachings.
I can explain, using the
correct terminology, how
religious beliefs and ideas
can be shown in many
different ways.
Living life’s journey in a Christian way.
What commitments do Christians make when they choose to live the
rest of their lives this way?
Posters to be stuck in RE
books or displayed on class RE
board.
Can you think of any non-religious examples of people who commit to
living their lives in a certain way? (Vegetarians, certain jobs, musicians,
athletes)
Homework- Children to
research Darren Campbell’s
life or other athlete who has
shown great commitment and
dedication to achieving
success.
Link to Brazil/OlympicsWhat kind of commitments/sacrifices do athletes make when they
decide on this career? How do they have to live their lives? Share story
of athletes who have shown great commitment (eg Darren Campbell)
All groups- Make a poster to show what makes a successful athlete.
Prepare for class discussion below.
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Believer’s Baptism
(CLEO site)- the way a
Christian lives their
life reflects the
commitments they
made at Baptism
Do I agree with idea
of Baptism? Why?
I can explain my own
ideas and beliefs about
ultimate questions.
Class discussion- Share posters. Would you be willing to do these
things to be an athlete? Consider the trade-off. What things would you
have to sacrifice? Would it be worth it? Why? Why not?
Show Part 2 video from last session, to refresh on an Infant Baptism.
Think about:
• Who makes the decision for that child to be Baptised?
• Any problems with this? (Children are not making own
decision, do they understand the commitment they are
making, are they old enough to follow a Christian lifestyle etc)
• Or is it ok for the parents to just state a wish for their child to
live this way and be brought up in this way?
• Is the Baptism a positive thing- parents showing their good
intentions for how their child will be brought up?
Then look at video clips of a ‘Believer’s Baptism’- showing an adult man
being Baptised.
http://www.cleo.net.uk/consultants_resources/re/allB/OpenHere.html
Discuss key features of Believer’s Baptism and what they symbolises.
These are often referred to as ‘Adult Baptisms’ although this is wrong-
Children can decide ‘Yes’ or
‘no’ and sit on different sides
of the classroom. Children to
debate the question, standing
up to make a point, then take
a vote at the end.
Photographic evidence of
debate taking place.
a child can be baptised in this way, but only if they are considered old
enough to earnestly profess their faith and commitment, and show
understanding of what is involved.
Class debate- Should there be a minimum age for Baptism?
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What rights and
privileges do adults
have that we don’t?
What commitments
do we have at school?
I ask questions about
matters of right and
wrong and suggest
answers which show I
have an understanding of
moral and religious
teachings.
Recap on ‘Believer’s Baptism’ and Infant Baptism. Think about the
commitments made by Christians who are Baptised.
I can express my own
values.
I can respond to the
values and commitments
of others.
Quick table discussions and feedback to class- What is the point of
school? How much are the teachers in control of what you do at
school? What kind of commitment do you have to make to take
responsibility for your time at school? Does this change as you get
older and move up through the school?
What other things can adults do that children aren’t allowed to do?
Brainstorm on whiteboards in pairs.
Trumacar Pledges can be
displayed or used in books as
evidence.
I can explain
What things do children have to do that adults don’t?
HA- Write a Trumacar Pledge of commitments for your time at school. I
promise that I will commit to…. Think about personal commitments,
your own areas of weakness. Share with class.
MA/LA- As above but children will possibly focus more along the lines
of school rules and behaviours.
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Who or what do I
think is worth
committing to? Why?
Will I always be
committed to the
same things in life?
Why?
I can express my own
values.
I can respond to the
values and commitments
of others.
Plenary- Thinking about the commitments made by Olympic athletes.
Do you agree with expectations made of athletes who are
professionals/who are living their lives in the public eye? Is the level of
commitment required fair? Is it necessary?
Intro-Discussion about commitment:
Brainstorm or class discuss- What kind of a commitment can you make
to another person? Family, marriage, house, friendships, teachers
How might your commitments change as you get older?
Perseverance versus breaking a commitment. At what cost should
Assessment of writing.
Children should have
demonstrated their level of
understanding of the process
of Baptism and also the
commitments/lifestyle
implications. Class discussions
commitments be maintained? When should you possible break a
commitment? How could you make this decision?
Recap on the unit and discuss Baptism and the points below. Re-watch
videos to refresh children if needed.
All groups (Differentiation by outcome and support. LA may need more
support in discussing/processing/organising their ideas for writing)
Produce a short piece of writing explaining what you have learned
about Christian Baptism. Include:
• What happens during a Baptism
• Why Christians get Baptised
• The commitments they make
• How life as Christian is a journey
• Difficulties people could face in keeping their commitment to
the Christian lifestyle.
• Whether you think a religion is something worth committing
to? Why/why not?
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throughout unit to link to own
experiences.
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What did you learn
during this topic?
What questions are
still unanswered?
How do you feel the
topic went?