Transforming the RE curriculum at Acklam Grange School
The Educational Recording Agency (ERA) supports Religious Education (RE) through its vast streaming platform, featuring digital resources from the BBC and Channel 4. ERA’s extensive collection offers high-quality educational content, enabling teachers to deliver engaging and up-to-date lessons. By incorporating real-life examples and interactive media, ERA enhances the teaching of diverse religious practices and beliefs, making learning more accessible and enriching for students across the UK.
Teacher Testimonial:
Jennifer Surtees, an RE and PSHE teacher at Acklam Grange School, discussed with us how ERA has enriched her curriculum. She frequently uses the “My Life My Religion” series to provide real-life examples that enhance her lessons on diverse faiths. “The site allows us to use up-to-date, real-life examples which enrich the Religious Studies and PSHE curriculums at our school. We have used the My Life My Religion series a lot this year.”
Jennifer also appreciates the ad-free nature of ERA’s platform, which ensures an uninterrupted and safe viewing experience for students
"There are no adverts, which means no disruption or inappropriate content linked to what we are watching," she says.
Reliability is another key benefit highlighted by Jennifer. ERA’s consistent service means that videos are always available when needed, without the risk of them moving or disappearing. “You offer a reliable service; the videos don’t just move or vanish,” she adds
Impact on Teaching and Learning:
Jennifer provides concrete examples of how ERA has impacted her teaching. In her RE classes, she has utilised the My Life My Religion series to support lessons on religious diversity and understanding. Each episode offers a personal insight into different faiths, providing students with a deeper, more empathetic understanding of religious practices and beliefs. These resources are particularly useful for facilitating discussions and encouraging students to share their own perspectives.
Lesson Plan Examples:
- Understanding Diverse Faiths – Focus on Judaism
Subject: Religious Education
Key Stage: KS3
Resource: My Life, My Religion – Judaism
- Pre-Class Activity:
– Homework Assignment: Students will watch the “Judaism” episode of My Life, My Religion. The episode explores the experiences of Jewish children, including the celebration of a Bat Mitzvah and Passover.
- In-Class Activity:
– Class Discussion:
– Discussion Points: Facilitate a discussion focusing on key themes from the episode such as the significance of the Bat Mitzvah, the meaning of Passover, and everyday life as a Jewish person.
– Personal Reflection: Encourage students to relate these practices to their own experiences and understanding of diverse faiths, discussing similarities and differences.
– Critical Thinking: Ask students to reflect on the role of traditions and rituals in shaping cultural and religious identity.
- Follow-up Activity:
– Group Presentations: Divide students into groups and assign each group a different aspect of Jewish religious practices or beliefs (e.g., Sabbath, dietary laws, festivals).
– Research and Preparation: Students will use additional ERA resources and other educational materials to research their assigned topic:
Example:
- Jewish traditions | Belief File (era.org.uk)
- Islamic-Jewish Relations | The Life of Muhammad (era.org.uk)
- Hanukkah and contemporary Jewish identity | Christmas Voices (era.org.uk)
- Death and mourning in Judaism | Being… (era.org.uk)
- Rosh Hashanah | Belief File (era.org.uk)
- Yom Kippur | Belief File (era.org.uk)
- Birth rituals in Judaism | Being… (era.org.uk)
- Judaism Archives – The Jewish Museum London
– Presentation: Each group will present their findings to the class, highlighting how these practices are observed and their significance within the Jewish faith.
- Extension Activity (Optional):
– Creative Project: Students can create a visual or multimedia project (e.g., posters, videos) to represent what they learned about Jewish culture and religious practices.
This plan aims to deepen students’ understanding of Judaism and encourage an appreciation of religious diversity.
Analysis and Conclusion:
Jennifer’s use of ERA resources highlights the platform’s effectiveness in supporting Religious Education. With its extensive range of content, including series like “My Life My Religion,” ERA provides current and real-life examples that help teachers explore complex topics such as religious diversity. The digital and interactive nature of ERA’s resources enhances lesson delivery, making them more engaging for students. ERA’s high-quality, advert-free content offers a reliable and invaluable tool for communicating complex concepts contained in the Religious Studies curriculum, as evidenced by Jennifer’s positive experience.