Watford Grammar School for Boys Philosophy, Religion and Ethics Scheme of Work
Title: Beliefs and teachings about meaning and purpose
Year group: 8
Term: Spring
Weeks: 12
Resources: Themes to inspire 2
Learning
Lesson content
objectives
Religion
vs. Are religion and science in conflict?
science – what
is the debate?
Possible activities



Where did life Understand the terms biogenesis
come from?
and abiogenesis



1
Class
questionnaire –
do you think
religion
and
science are in
conflict?
Read quotes of
page 32/33 – do
you agree or
disagree?
What is your
opinion?
Debate
Define the terms
biogenesis and
abiogenesis.
Which view do
Homework
ICT
SMRC
Literacy
Resources
Survey
5/6
people – do
they
think
that religion
and science
are
in
conflict?
Why?
Debate
Different
views
Questionnaire Pg 32/33
Your opinion
Key
words:
science,
religion,
independent,
conflict,
dialogue
Answer this Homework
question:
research
How
do
Muslims
Beginning
of life
Definitions
Pg 35/6
Key
terms:
biogenesis,
abiogenesis,
Genesis
How do Christians and Jews believe
that life was created?
Evolution
Assessment – start in lessons –
finish for homework.
Are humans What unique features do humans
special?
have?
What
does
the
Abrahamic
2
you agree with
most and why?
 Which view do
you dislike and
why?
 Silent debate
 Read the original
version
of
Genesis
 Debate:
is
Genesis right
 Drama
 Similarities and
differences
between Muslim
and
Judeo/Christian
views of how life
was created
Students
should
research evolution, the
big bang and what
different religions think
about evolution. They
should then produce a
newspaper report on
their
findings.
This
should be started in
class and finished at
home for homework.
 Brainstorm
–
what
unique
features
do
believe that
life
was
created?
life, beginning
Cartoon strip Cn has a Beginning
of Genesis
video
clip of life
that shows
Genesis
Drama
Bible
Key
words: Pg 36/7
Genesis, Bible,
Judeo
Christian, God,
6 days, rest
Assessment
Key
terms: Pg 38/9
evolution,
natural
selection,
Darwin,
science,
Big
Bang
Answer
knowledge
check
Assessment
Start of life
Humans as Key
terms: Pg 42 - 5
spiritual
morality,
and moral
spirituality,
faiths/Hinduism/Buddhism/Sikhism
teach about humans?
What is the What do you think is the purpose of
purpose
of life?
life?
Religious
What do the six major world faiths
views of the teach about the purpose of life
purpose
of
life`
What is death
3
What do we mean by life after
death?
Look at the Hindu and Buddhist
views of life after death
humans have?
 What
does
‘morality’
and
‘spirituality’
mean?
 How are we
different
to
chimps?
 Teach in groups
the
different
religious views
of how humans
are different
 Brainstorm
all
the purposes of
life.
 Human opinion
line – what is the
purpose of life
 Debate
Using the textbooks and
computers, in groups
research one religious
view of the purpose of
life,
research
and
present your findings to
the class
 Read the quotes
on pg 50 – what
are they saying
about death?
 Using the KS3
Buddhism and
questions pg
45
human,
unique
What is the
purpose
of
life?
Life
purpose
Key term: life, Pg 46
purpose,
humans
Summarize
Computer
the view of research
life
you
researched.
Life
purpose
Presentations Pg 46 - 9
Key
terms:
religion,
human, life,
purpose
Answer this Homework
question:
What do Jews
and
Christians
believe
Death
Explanation of
quotes
Key
terms:
life,
death,
Hindu,
samsara,
Pg 50/1
Flatliners
KS3
Buddhism
and
Hinduism
Assessment
Assessment
Hinduism books happens
find out about when we die?
the Hindu and
Buddhist views
of death
 What do you
think happens
when we die?
Divide the class into 6. Each group This lesson is the Assessment
should choose one of the 6 major research
and
world faiths. They should then each preparation lesson
research one of the following topics
from their specialist faith:
a) Where did life come from?
b) What do religious people
think about evolution?
c) What is death?
d) Are humans different from
animals?
e) Is there a purpose to life
f) What do religious people
believe about life after
death?
The findings should be presented in
a 5-7 minute presentation with
each group member getting a
grade.
Presentations from groups.
Assessment
Students should be marked
individually on their work
What is the What does the soul mean to you?
soul?
What do Jews and Hindus believe
4

do
Discuss in groups What
what the soul Christians
karma,
moksha,
Buddhist,
nirvana,
atman
textbooks
Homework
Opinions
Key
words: Pg 56/7
life, religion,
humans,
evolution
Assessment
What have Key
words: Pg 56/7
you
life, religion,
achieved?
humans,
evolution
Spiritual
Definitions
Pg 52/3
that the soul is?


What
is How do Buddhists, Hindus and
reincarnation? Sikhs interpret the idea of
reincarnation?
Do you agree with reincarnation?



5
means to you?
think that the
Define
key soul is?
terms: nephesh,
atman, soul
Research what
Hindus and Jews
believe that the
soul is
Read quotes on
pg 54 – what do
they mean?
Similarities and
differences
between
Hindu/Sikh/Bud
dhist views of
reincarnation?
Opinion line – do
you agree with
reincarnation?
Key
terms:
atman, soul,
nephesh,
death,
Judaism,
Hinduism
Spiritual
Key
terms: Pg 54/5
Buddhist,
Hindu, Sikh,
reincarnation,
rebirth
Understanding
quotes