Religious and Values Education
Unit Planner
Title: Great Religious Figures who have made a difference.
Key Learning Area(s): World Religions
Year Level: Years 5-8
Teacher(s): Barbara Evans, Helen CrainWelsby, Jack Egan,
Kathy Morwitch, Rebecca Morris, Matthew Wills
Proposed duration:
8-10
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Outcomes / Objectives:
Introduce students to important figures from some of the major religious traditions – Islam, Buddhism, Judaism,
Hinduism & Christianity. ( e.g. The Patriarchs, Gandhi,
Desmond Tutu, Anne Frank, Dalai Lama, etc)
For students to be familiar with the historical and cultural
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 context of these figures.
For students to think about how these figures made a difference to peoples lives.
For students to think about how they can make a
 difference.
For students to recognize the humanity/frailty of religious heroes.
2.Resources:
The Bible-Hebrew Scriptures/Christian Scriptures/Koran/Vedas
Internet resources related to world religions http://re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk/re/main.html
NSW “Studies of Religion” text by Lovat
Library resources
Jewish bookshop http://www.yahoodi.com/famous/start.html
(list of Famous and influential Jews) http://www.ohr.org.il/ask/page/askrabbi.htm
(Ask a Rabbi) http://jeru.huji.ac.il/open_screen2.htm
(Explains the cultural context of Jewish stories)
Sites useful for study of people from eastern traditions; http://www.buddhanet.net/ (General site with information about influential
Buddhists) http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/contents1.htm
(The life of
Siddartha) http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/ (Gandi Peace institute) http://www.hindukids.org/ (Young but fun site about Hinduism)

3.Key Questions:
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Who were these people? (When & where did they
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 live?)
What did these people do that made a difference?
Did it involve leaving the good life behind? (personal sacrifices)
How did they respond to their situation?
Was greatness thrust on them?
How is their story relevant to my life?
How does my own cultural perspective influence my interpretation of the persons influence?
4. Activities:
 For students to consider someone who has made a difference in their life. eg think, pair, share.
 Brainstorm known religious figures who have made a difference.
 Look at the humanity and influence of the Patriarchs/Kings through the Biblical story. (eg Moses or David in the
Testament series)
 Look at the humanity of the one of the above figures through their own words and the words of others. Get students to investigate this by interviewing a Rabbi at the website called “Ask a Rabbi”. http://www.ohr.org.il/ask/page/askrabbi.htm
 Dramatize/ mime, interpret key elements of the story.
 Get students to address the question: “How would they live today and make a difference?” in an essay.
 Devise an interview with a person of your choice to highlight the cultural context. http://jeru.huji.ac.il/open_screen2.htm
(group work) Report back to class.
 Repeat the above focusing on a recent influential person from an eastern tradition; e.g. How would Gandhi deal with war today? http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/
 Reflective journal entry focusing on how you can make a difference-at home/at school/in your community
5. Assessment:
Interview

How would they live today essay.
Drama activity
6. Evaluation: