Church in Wales Primary School
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To learn about the site and materials the church is made of
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To understand why their local church is named
 To talk about the roles of people involved in the church
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To understand that a church is characterised by its sacraments and ministry
Aim: All children to be secure in Outcome 6 RE skills
Core Skills/A.f.L
Spiritual Development:
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Can begin to accept concept of faith--what one cannot see
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Can explore shared values personal identity a sense of belonging [Outcome 6 /Level 3 ]
Curriculum Cymreig:
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Can research and explain why we need to care for God’s world and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the local environment [ Outcome 6 ]
Thinking & problem solving:
 Can explore questions raised by their own experience and the world around them and give their own opinions [Outcome 6 ]
Links
(Values, S.E.A.L. and P.4.C)
Values:
Hope
Courage
Perseverance
Responsibility
SEAL:
Good
relationships
Elements: Literacy Numeracy Framework Elements:
Oracy – Developing and presenting information and ideas
Reading – Locating, selecting and using information. Responding to what has been read
Writing - Organising ideas and information. Writing accurately
Suggested Skill Development (including resources)
[Learning Activities]
To learn about the site and materials the church is made of
Before the church visit.
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Brainstorm special places and reflect on the fact that places of worship are sacred for the people who worship there. What does it mean for an object or place to be sacred/ holy? How should it be treated?
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Start a KWL grid about what they expect to see/do on their visit and what they would like to learn more about.
On a church visit. NB the interior and exterior features will vary depending on the design, location, age and tradition of the church. Enlist the help of the vicar, curate or parishioners to assist you in planning your visit and in gathering background information.
 Discuss when and how the church building was constructed. Who designed the church? Was it made of stone? Has the building been extended or changed over the years? Did it take a long time to build? Was there an earlier wooden construction on the site? How do buttresses work? How did the workmen get the bells into the tower? How is the church furnished? Who carved the wood or stone? Would the whole community have been involved in the building of the
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Church in Wales Primary School
.Communication:
 Can talk/write about values/rules we have at home/school and offer explanations of how these come from Jesus' example, how they apply these in their own lives e.g. respecting, praying, caring, behaving appropriately. Can use words such as respect, forgiveness, gratitude etc when discussing the above [Outcome 6  Level 4]
Personal, social and wellbeing:
 Can ask questions about world events and how world religions help people to cope with difficulty/unfairness [Outcome 6]
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Can give opinions on aspects of religion .[
Outcome 6 ]
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Can explore own feelings in a variety of situations. [ Outcome 6]
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Can begin to accept concept of faith--what one cannot see
[Outcome 6]
Curriculum Cymreig:
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Can research and explain why we need to care for God’s world and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the local environment [Outcome 6] church? From where did the stone come and how was it moved? How similar is the layout of the church to other church buildings (in the shape of the cross, the congregation face east)? Use interactive resources to compare various types of churches/ places of worship. Note the care taken by the craftsmen (i.e. carving carefully in the places which only God would see). Explain that the building of the church would have been a community effort to the glory of God.
 Spend time exploring and observing the exterior/interior of the building. How does it compare and contrast with another familiar building e.g. your school, your home, in size, shapes of windows and doors, roof, steeple/tower/spire.
There may also be special features e.g. lichgate, graveyard. Are there any features displayed on the exterior that identify this as a Christian building e.g. look for cross, notice board, statue of saint, stained glass window, altar. How can you tell this is a church?
 Small group tasks: each group focus on one interior/exterior features of the exterior and explore in greater depth. Draw it, photograph it, describe it, discover its use. What does it tell about the story of the church building and the beliefs of the people who worship there?
After the visit: Small groups share their findings to the rest of the class.
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Write a descriptive poem about the church
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Make an illustrated visitors’ guide for the church in book or electronic form
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Complete KWL grid
To understand why their local church is named
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Ask questions to the clergy/parishioner to find out the reason for the name of the church. Is it to do with location? History? Event? Saint?
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Research further the origin of the name and write a page for a church information booklet explaining the background.
To talk about the roles of people involved in the church
 Children to prepare questions regarding other Church/ministry activities – charity work, visiting home, links with other faiths and Christians around the
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Church in Wales Primary School world etc.
 Hot seat clergy/member of the Church to find out what they/parishioners do
 Reflect on a service they have attended - what jobs did they see people doing?
What did the priest do? What did the servers do?
 Plan, organise and take part in a simple service for members of the school/church/local worshipping community using these ideas. Include elements of prayer, song, readings/poems, reflection, fellowship (perhaps coffee morning/afternoon). Discuss the roles which different people have in the service.
To understand that a church is characterised by its sacraments and ministry
 What is a sacrament? What does it mean? What symbolism does it have?
What do people believe when participating in each sacrament?
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In small groups focus on one type of sacrament (marriage, baptism, confirmation, Eucharist) - research and create a poster explaining symbolism of sacrament, use ICT
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