Using Inquiry Learning
Learning Management System
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 redesigned 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