Learning Management System

Using Inquiry Learning

Religious Education Context

This unit of work has been designed for a Year 3 class who are engaged in the Religious Education module Exploring the Text. The learning activities that are presented focus on the Infancy Narratives, and they support the following learning outcomes: S2.1 Students examine the textual features of text types to communicate information and ideas about scriptural texts.S3.1 Students explore textual features common to familiar text types to make meaning of scriptural texts.

The Infancy Narrative activities are part of a broader unit that seeks to engage students in a range of Scriptural texts. The skills and understandings that students will develop through engagement with the Infancy Narratives include:• Examining some textual features of the Gospel stories

(e.g. characterisation, vocabulary, events, imagery) • Retrieving contextual information from written and

digital texts to identify some aspects of the cultural contexts in which the Gospels were written

• Beginning to analyse gospel stories by drawing on a growing knowledge of the context in which the story was written in order to communicate thinking and understandings about the life of Jesus

Learning Context

Within the classroom, teachers and students can engage with the Infancy Narratives activities in a variety of ways. The tasks draw upon an inquiry model of learning, and thus students move from launching activities through to demonstrating activities and reflection at the completion of the unit. If access to technology is an issue then the tasks can be completed in small groups with the support of a teacher or teacher aide. Students could also complete the tasks as part of a longer rotational sequence, incorporating other texts from the module Exploring the Texts, and with a sharing of learning (Expo style) at the completion of the unit.

The activities are therefore designed to be accessed independently by students, with teacher or teacher aide instruction at the beginning of each task for students that need support. Texts that are more difficult to access have been included as voice tracks so that all students have access to the information. Activities such as the blogs and conversations could also be accessed by students at any time of day, beyond the classroom, and with parent interaction and support.

The demonstrating activity would allow students to share their knowledge through a wide variety of visual and digital tools. The written elements of the task could be scaffolded and adapted to suit the learners’ needs, and the task could encourage peer to peer interaction and reflection. Overall the activities are designed to support a range of learners in the Year 3 classroom and to engage them in interactive learning experiences. Activities can be modelled, adapted and re-designed to support other Scripture passages that can deepen students’ understanding of biblical texts.

It's now time to become a Bible detective and discover what we know about Jesus' birth. To find out the real story, follow the steps below: 1. Make a group of 4 and watch the clip "Retooning the Nativity"2. Talk together about what you heard in the clip: What didn't you know about the story? What did you already know about the story?

3. Choose one Gospel for each person to read (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

4. Click on the Gospel writers' names in the box below to hear the stories read aloud.

5. When you have finished reading, work together to fill in the information on your Group Task Sheet TheStoryofJesus.docx

www.vocaroo.com