religious education homework ideas

Big Ideas for Religious Education

Curriculum design for a 21 st century education in religion and worldviews, what are big ideas.

About Big Ideas for RE

How are children and young people going to successfully navigate this complex world in which we live?

How are they going to make the best of their lives through the joys and sorrows that come to us all?

How are they going to engage sensitively and critically in the matters of religion, belief and identity which shape this world?

How are they going to interpret their own experience of life’s diversity and know how to weigh up the multitude of voices and values coming at them from all angles through different forms of media ?

We are curating a fantastic set of ideas, plans and resources built around six Big Ideas for RE .

Although the materials on this website do NOT constitute a complete syllabus, we do hope we are providing teachers and curriculum developers with the tools that are needed to build a coherent, progressive and highly effective programme of education in religion and worldviews .

Big Ideas for Religious Education:

• is an approach to curriculum, teaching and learning used around the world
• was a key influence on the development of the Commission on Religious Education (CoRE) national entitlement
• has been developed by RE professional s with many years of experience at local and national level.

This site includes:

• a full explanation of the Big Ideas , with key publications
• programmes of study for 5-18 year olds
• exemplar units of learning for 5-18 year olds
• a blog with news and guidance for SACREs, Agreed Syllabus conferences and teachers.

Let us know what you think, or send in your own ideas for resources and exemplar units of learning!

Big Ideas are generalised summaries of what we want students to understand through their study of religion and worldviews from 5 – 18 years. The Big Ideas are common destinations , which can be reached by many alternative routes. Because Big Ideas describe what we want students to understand, they frame the questions that lead to that understanding. Click here to see our  Six Big Ideas for RE.

Our Programme of Study for a well-rounded education in Religion and Worldviews describes the learning that children and young people need to gain real depth in their understanding of what really matters in the world today.

The Programme includes statements relating to each of the Big Ideas for each age-range: 5-7; 7-11; 11-14 and 14-18. To go with these statements of content, we have prepared Medium-terms plans for each age-range that bring the Big Ideas to life.

And to illustrate each set of these, we are building a comprehensive set of exemplar units of learning : detailed lessons plans and resources ready to use!

This is where you will find links to exemplars of short term planning for a complete term’s work that relates to the Big Ideas for each age-group. They were written by a  team of teachers and advisers  and are being tested in the classroom.

Over time we will have at least one exemplar for each Big Idea in each age group.

If you would like to submit an idea for a new unit please let us know via the Contact Us  button. We are also interested to hear about your experience of teaching the units. Please do  Contact Us  with your feedback!

BI 6: THE BIG PICTURE: AGE-RELATED BIG IDEA FOR AGES 3-5

by WebzangAdminBI4RE | Sep 27, 2023 | Ages 3-5 , Big Idea 6 The Big Picture , Programmes of Study , Topic-Related Questions and Learning Objectives , Transferable questions

BRINGING BIG IDEAS TO LIFE: MEDIUM TERM PLANNING The bridge between the Big Idea and the substantive knowledge for pre-school children is the...

BI 5: INFLUENCE AND POWER: AGE-RELATED BIG IDEA FOR AGES 3-5

by WebzangAdminBI4RE | Sep 27, 2023 | Ages 3-5 , Big Idea 5 Influence and Power , Programmes of Study , Topic-Related Questions and Learning Objectives , Transferable questions

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Key Stage 3

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Resource 1 A piece of home learning looking at 2 questions: 'why do people disagree so much about whether God is real and what God is like?'. For pupils in KS3 (11-14 year olds). Download

Resource 2 A piece of home learning using NATRE's annual Spirited Arts & Poetry competition for pupils in KS3 (11-14 year olds). Download

Resource 3 A piece of home learning about Easter for pupils in KS3 (11-14 year olds). Download

Resource 4 A piece of home learning about Religion and Science for pupils in KS3 (11-14 year olds). Download

Resource 5 A work plan for enabling pupils to progress from Y6 to Y7 through collaboration across primary and secondary RE, with a baseline assessment approach. Download

Resource 6 A resource introducing key tenets of the Sikh faith, including Guru Nanak, the gurudwara and the Mool Mantar prayer. Download

Resource 7 A piece of home learning about evaluative essay-writing for pupils in KS3 (11-14 year olds). Download

Resource 8 A piece of home learning using 'Africa United' for pupils in KS3 (11-14 year olds). Download

Resource 9 A piece of home learning using 'Room' and 'The LEGO Movie' for pupils in KS3 (11-14 year olds). Download

Resource 10 A piece of home learning using 'Adjustment Bureau' for pupils in KS3 (11-14 year olds). Download

Resource 11 26 pieces of home learning using the BBC 'A-Z of Religion and Beliefs' set of films, including an introduction from Lat Blaylock. Download .

Resource 12 A piece of home learning using 'Noah' for pupils in KS3 (11-14 year olds). Download

Resource 13 **NEW** A PowerPoint containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip on Muslim identity. (8-13 year olds). Download

Resource 14 **NEW** A PowerPoint containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip as an introduction to Christianity as a religious worldview. (8-13 year olds). Download

Resource 15 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip on prayer in Christianity. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 16 **NEW** A PowerPoint containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip as an introduction to two young Hindus and worship at home and in the mandir. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 17 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip on worship looking at different types of worship and reasons for worship. (8-13 year olds) Download Resource 18 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip on Hindus looking at sacred places and pilgrimage. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 19 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip introducing Simran a Sikh living in Birmingham. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 20 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip looking at the importance of the Bible to Christians, and supporting thinking about how Christians use the Bible in their everyday lives. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 21 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip looking at the importance of the festival of Easter to Christians, and supporting thinking about how Easter is celebrated in different ways. (8-13 year olds) Download

Member Resources

Resource 1 **NEW** A PowerPoint containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip as an introduction to Islam as a religious worldview. (8-13 year olds). Download

Resource 2 **NEW** A PowerPoint containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip on Hajj. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 3 **NEW** A PowerPoint containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip as an introduction to a Christian boy, his beliefs and the church he belongs to. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 4 **NEW** A PowerPoint containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip on the Muslim sacred text the Qur’an. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 5 **NEW** A PowerPoint containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip looking at the celebration of Raksha Bandhan and the value of generosity (8-13 year olds) Download Resource 6 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip on Holy Communion looking at what it means to Catholic and Anglican Christians. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 7 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip looking at Hindu weddings. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 8 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip introducing The Guru Granth Sahib is explored and explained. The Guru Granth Sahib is not just a book to Sikhs: it is seen and treated as a living Guru. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 9 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip looking at the importance of baptism. The film explains how baptism is different for different types of Christians. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 10 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip introducing Charlie, a young Jewish boy. The film explores what Charlie is interested in and looks at the mezuzah. (8-13 year olds) Download

Resource 11 **NEW** A PowerPoint for home learning containing several pupil tasks based on a short BBC Clip ‘What is Judaism?’. The clip introduces some key points about the Jewish religion; its history, traditions and beliefs. (8-13 year olds) Download

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Celebrating RE: Lesson ideas

This page captures some of the events that took place and also offers a range of useful and inspiring resources, which although written with March 2011 in mind can be modified and adapted for any time. On this resources page, you will find RE ideas for working with pupils:

• in the early years
• at primary level
• at secondary level
• with special educational needs or who are gifted and talented.

In addition, there are ideas and activities for groups and organisations such as SACREs, museums and libraries and others.

Download The Religion Teacher’s Guide to Lesson Planning with 250 activity ideas here . 

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The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education

First Communion Activities

09/17/2013 By Jared Dees

I’m very excited to be teaching second grade this year! I will be helping young people prepare for their First Communion and First Reconciliation. Since I’m new to this age level, I’ll be collecting as many First Communion activities and ideas as I can throughout the year and adding my own contributions I create them for my class. If you are teaching second grade or preparing children for their First Communions and Reconciliations this year, I hope you will check back here for more activities or send me your ideas and experiences with what worked best for you and your students.

Collections of First Communion Activities

Catholic Mass Activities (The Religion Teacher)

The Religion Teacher’s Catholic Mass Worksheets (The Religion Teacher)

A Collection of First Communion Activities by Laura Grace  (The Catholic Toolbox)

Lacy’s  First Communion Ideas  (Catholic Icing)

First Communion Resources  (Many Little Blessings)

Popular First Communion Activities to Use Throughout the Year

First Communion Journal (Catholic Icing)

Sacrament of Holy Eucharist File Folder Game (The Catholic Toolbox)

First Holy Communion Preparation and Printable Patters eBook  (Many Little Blessings)

Catholic Mass PowerPoint Game (The Religion Teacher)

Parts of the Mass Video (The Religion Teacher Members)

Sacrament of the Eucharist Symbols Video (The Religion Teacher Members)

Sacrament of the Eucharist Effects Video (The Religion Teacher Members)

First Communion Crafts

First Communion and First Reconciliation Crafts (Catholic Inspired)

Make a First Communion Banner (Catholic Icing)

Catholic Crafts for First Communion (eHow)

Host and Chalice Craft (Catholic Icing)

True Presence and the Eucharist Printable Craft (Catholic Icing)

Homemade First Communion Cakes (Many Little Blessings)

Jesus and the Eucharist Catholic Art Project  (Catholic Inspired)

First Communion Worksheets

Holy Communion Crossword Puzzle (Catholic Mothers Online)

Holy Communion and Reconciliation Worksheet and Activity Pack (Many Little Blessings)

First Communion Coloring Page (Edupics)

First Communion Printable (Catholic Icing)

The Body and Blood of Christ Worksheet (The Religion Teacher Members)

First Communion Banner Ideas

First Communion Banners  (Catholic Icing)

How to Make a First Communion Banner  (Many Little Blessings)

First Communion Banner #1 (Catholic Inspired)

First Communion Banner #2 (Catholic Inspired)

First Communion Banner #3 (Catholic Inspired)

First Communion Books

Children Discover the Mass  (Amazon.com)

A Child’s Guide to First Holy Communion  (Amazon.com)

First Communion Preparation and Printable Pattern eBook  (Many Little Blessings)

Take and Eat: Bible Stories for Kids about the Eucharist by Jared Dees (Amazon.com)

(photo credit: Marcin Bajer )

About Jared Dees

Jared Dees is the creator of The Religion Teacher and the author of 31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator , Beatitales , Christ in the Classroom , and The Gospel According to Video Games .

Reader Interactions

Free ebook on lesson planning.

Have you signed up to receive the free eBook, The Religion Teacher’s Guide to Lesson Planning . Whether you are a veteran teacher or in your first year, this guide provides a step by step process to effective lesson planning and provides 250 suggestions for activities and teaching strategies

09/17/2013 at 1:14 pm

Thank you for being so generous with your linking to my site! I really appreciate it. I’m happy to be in the company of so many fabulous sites that are also in the list.

01/23/2014 at 8:10 pm

I would like to receive activities for teenagers who are preparing for the Sacraments of Baptism and First Communion. Thank you!

About the Founder, Jared Dees

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Religious Studies worksheets collection

Subject: Religious education

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

18 August 2022

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A collection of 30 worksheets, lessons and activities that are ready to print off, adapt if necessary, and use. Use the information sheets to enrich lessons, encourage debate or as homework tasks. Some worksheets refer to textbooks or film so you may need to adapt them to your setting and SOW. Topics include:

• Science and Religion
• General worksheets on World Religions (Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism)
• Symbols in Religion
• Rites of Passage
• Religious text

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