BACKGROUND NOTES FOR TEACHERS ON THE LENT/EASTER THEME
These notes are written in order to support teachers’ own knowledge and understanding
and to help with the assessment task.
ABOUT THE THEME
Giving – Lent/Easter
In this theme the children learn about the season of Lent/Easter and how Christians live
their lives because of the beliefs held. It is the second of three themes that focus on
Christian Living.
Loving – Advent/Christmas
Giving – Lent/Easter
Serving - Pentecost
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent. It occurs 46 days (40 weekdays plus
6 Sundays) before Easter. According to the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent
40 days fasting in the desert, where he was tempted by Satan. Lent began as a mirroring of
this, fasting 40 days as preparation for Easter.
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches
blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday, and placing them in the sign of the cross on the
heads of people to the accompaniment of the words "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or
"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return". Catholics believe that they are
called to continuously ‘turn back’ to God and live a holy life. The symbol is a reminder that
this life is short and our real lives will begin when we are raised to New Life in the
Communion of Saints (those who have died and have gone to heaven).
Lent
Baptism is central to the Catholic understanding of Lent. Preparation for Baptism and for
renewing baptismal commitment lies at the heart of the season. It was a time in the early
church when people prepared themselves for Baptism at Easter and the community that
supported them on the journey would renew their own Baptismal promises at Easter
alongside the newly Baptised.
The three traditional practices of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Prayer:
Catholics believe that more time given to prayer during Lent will draw them closer to the
Lord.
Fasting:
Fasting is not just about developing self-control. It is often an aid to prayer, as the pangs of
hunger remind Catholics of their hunger for God. The prophet Isaiah insists that fasting with
action is needed. "The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and
the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and
open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear,
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and do not refuse to help your own relatives.” (Isaiah 58 6 – 7) Fasting should be linked to
concern for those who are forced to fast by their poverty, those who suffer from injustice
and, those who are in need for any reason. It is linked to living out baptismal promises. By
Baptism, Catholics are given the responsibility of showing Christ's love to the world,
especially to those in need. Abstaining from meat traditionally also linked Christians to the
poor, who could seldom afford meat for their meals.
Almsgiving:
This is linked to baptismal commitment in the same way. It is a sign of care for that in need
and an expression of gratitude for that entire God has given to us. Works of charity and the
promotion of justice are integral elements of the Christian way of life which is begun at
Baptism.
Holy Week
For the Church, Holy Week is the ‘greatest week’ during which the suffering, death and
resurrection of Jesus is remembered in special celebrations.
On Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord which is sometimes called Palm Sunday (because
we bless palms and we hear the reading of the passion of Jesus), Christians celebrate Jesus’
entrance into Jerusalem to face his suffering and death.
The Paschal or Easter Triduum
Begins on Holy Thursday when Jesus washes the disciples feet and ends on Easter Sunday in
the evening.
"Paschal Triduum" means "the Three Days of Passover". For the Jewish people, Passover
celebrates the great event when God delivered the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt to
freedom. The followers of Jesus proclaim that in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus,
God has freed and saved us.
When Lent ends, we stand in the centre of the Christian year. On the night between Holy
Saturday and Easter Sunday, we keep the Easter Vigil. We gather to light a fire and a
towering candle, to listen to our most treasured scriptures, to sing psalms and other songs.
Then we go to the waters and baptise those who have been preparing for new life in Christ.
The newly baptised are then anointed with fragrant oil and, at last, with these newly
baptised, we celebrate the Eucharist.
We prepare for this Vigil in the washing of feet on Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) and in
the veneration of the cross on Good Friday. We also prepare by fasting. The Church fasts –
from food, from entertainment, from chatter, from work – so that we have time to ponder
deeply the death and resurrection of the Lord, the mystery of faith that we will celebrate in
our Vigil.
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Easter Season
Begins on Easter Sunday and ends 50 days later on Pentecost Sunday.
Easter Sunday is the beginning of the Easter Season which lasts for 50 days. The Easter
season is to the year what Sunday is to the week. It is the heart of the Christian faith. St.
Paul writes that without a strong, unswerving belief in the resurrection of Christ, then,
“empty too is our preaching; empty too your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14.) We are an ‘Easter
People’ and make "Alleluia" our song because we delight to praise the Lord who is raised
from the dead and now shares his new life. The Paschal (Easter) candle, the giant candle
that is lighted during this season whenever we celebrate in church, shows that Jesus lives.
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EYFS - Growing
Task: Adapt Reception Focus Week 2, page 134, Adult Directed Group Activity, Activity 6
Scribe onto cut-out eggs ways in which the pupils have grown during Lent. Pupils can
decorate these and hang on the Lenten tree.
Supportive notes for the task
In Week 1 the children learned that Lent is a time when the family of Jesus try to grow in a
special way: to grow ‘inside’. They cannot see the growing happen, but it does. People grow
in love, goodness, kindness, helpfulness –this happens ‘inside’ them. Lent is also a special
time when the family of Jesus think about him and how he grew. They try to grow more like
him. They may also have drawn pictures to illustrate John 13: 34-35 - ‘I love you and I want
you to love one another’.
In the task encourage the children to think very practically – how do they grow and become
more like Jesus? You are looking for answers such as: tidying up at home or school, putting
the toys away as soon as the teacher asks, going to bed as soon as mummy asks….
If children say, ‘caring, sharing, being kind’ - you ask how???
This will give you evidence for the CD Area of Study ‘Life in Christ’ – ‘respect each other’.
Year 1 - Change
Task: To adapt Learning Focus 3, page 135, Activity 2
Having read/listened to God’s Story 2 (p.50) and discussed the two pictures, draw two
columns; one for times when they haven’t behaved as Jesus would want them to and the
second column showing ways in which they can make a new start – this can be evidenced
through words, pictures and/or annotated pictures.
Supportive notes for the task
The children will have learned that the cross with ashes is a reminder that Lent is a time for
remembering Jesus and growing into better people, a time to choose ways of growing. Lent
is a time to look at the ways in which we can change in a special way: change ‘inside’. People
can change and become more loving, kinder and more helpful – and all that happens
‘inside’ them. In Church’s Story 3 p66-67, they will have looked at pictures about how we
can give up food, help mum, tidy up etc. and think of something they might do in Lent.
For any child struggling to think of practical ways they might make a new start you could use
the pictures again and ask what they would be doing if they were behaving badly – e.g. the
opposite of what’s happening in the picture! So, the first column might be making a mess
and the second tidying up…the first column might be eating a huge meal and the second
bread and soup etc…
In order to achieve Level 2 the pupil would need to describe some new starts made in Lent
by describing the specific actions (e.g. Lent is a time for remembering Jesus and growing
into better people. During Lent I will try to change and be more like Jesus. I will help my
mum by keeping my room tidy…….).
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In Level 2 we are moving from labelling or naming to being more descriptive.
Year 2 – Opportunities
Task: Adapt Learning Focus 4, page 134, Activity 2
Pupils design a simple poster which illustrates and describes some of the ways in which
Christians serve and do things for other people in Lent.
Supportive notes for the task
In LF1-3 the children will have understood that Christians use the opportunities of Lent to
make a new start. Lent is the opportunity to pray, to give up things and to do more. They
may have made a promise to change. In Church’s Story 2 p66-67 they will have seen very
practical ways they could do this. In this learning focus they learn that on Maundy Thursday
during Holy Week a special Mass is celebrated and the priest washes people’s feet to remind
everyone that Jesus did that. Jesus wanted to show his friends how they must behave
towards each other – caring for and looking after each other.
The above activity is drawing upon some of the things they have already explored and
broadening it out.
Level 1 would simply be drawing and/or labelling ways in which Christians serve and do
things for other people in Lent.
Level 2 would indicate a move from simple labelling to being more descriptive (e.g. ‘Lent is
a time when we can take the opportunity to make a new start and try to change and be
more like Jesus. Christians might visit a lonely person in their street and/or do their
shopping’…..etc).
Level 3 would include reasons for actions e.g. ‘Lent is a time when we can take the
opportunity to make a new start and try to change and be more like Jesus. A Christian might
visit a lonely old person in their street or do their shopping. This would be following the
example of Jesus who washed his disciples’ feet as a sign of service and he told his followers
that they must do the same. In Lent one of the things we are asked to do is fast. Christians
might take the opportunity Lent provides to fast on family fast day…..etc
Creating a poster sometimes limits what children might write. If you think you have a child
who may want to describe or gives reasons it may be worth asking them to write a
commentary about their poster describing what is in it (Level 2) and why (Level 3).
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Year 3 – Giving All
Task: Adapt Learning Focus 1, page 139 Activity 2 (It may serve better to complete the task
after LF3 as the added input will lead to a richer response)
Following Learning Focus 3 pupils use Lenten signs and symbols to make a Lenten promise
and describe how they will achieve this. (Level 2)
Pupils write an additional paragraph, giving reasons for their actions. (Level 3)
Supportive notes for the task
In LF1, LF2 and LF3 the children will learn all about how to be giving especially during this
season of Lent and that Lent gives Christians the chance to think about how they are living
their daily lives.
Lent and Holy Week are times of giving in different ways and remembering the total giving
of Jesus.
Lent is the season when Christians practise both giving and giving-up, to identify with the
complete self-offering of Jesus which is remembered in the liturgy of Holy Week and the
Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil).
In his Gospel, Matthew makes it clear that in loving and caring for other people we are
loving and caring for Jesus.
Expectations within Levels 2 & 3
The pupil working at Level 2 would be capable of describing what each of the signs /
symbols represent (examples below) and how it is we can ‘live this out’ during Lent.
A pupil within Level 3 would give reasons for the certain actions – see below.
Sign / symbol of Lent
Our actions and example of a Reasons for these actions (L3)
possible promise (L2)
Ashes
Christians receive the ashes
on their foreheads in the
shape of a cross to mark the
beginning of Lent.
Hands joined together
The ashes we receive on our
forehead in the shape of a
cross remind us of God’s love
and the call to follow Jesus
and change our ways and be
I promise to wash up after more loving and giving. We
tea during Lent. This will help try to love as Jesus loved.
mum but will be hard as I will
have to change my ways. I
like watching TV after tea.
The symbol for praying – to The Stations of the Cross –is
pray more is a traditional a special way of praying
practice during Lent.
during Lent. This prayer
helps us reflect on the
I will pray the Stations of the suffering and death of Jesus
Cross every Friday in Lent.
and think about how much
he loves us. It helps us
prepare for Good Friday and
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Christians give money to
Charity/CAFOD box
people
who
are
less
fortunate than themselves
Out stretched hand with during Lent.
money
I will give some of my pocket
money each week to CAFOD
the Easter celebration.
Almsgiving is a traditional
practice during Lent. In
Matthew 25 it says ‘When I
was hungry you gave me to
eat; when I was thirsty…’
Whenever we help others
we are helping Jesus. Lent is
the season when Christians
practise both giving and
giving-up, to identify with
the complete self-offering of
Jesus which is remembered
in the liturgy of Holy Week
and the Easter Triduum (Holy
Thursday, Good Friday and
Easter Vigil).
Homeless person begging on Christians must be
the street.
prepared to notice what
others need and then see
what they can do to help.
Matthew 25:31-46 ‘I was
hungry and you gave me
food, I was thirsty and you
gave me drink, I was a
stranger and you welcomed
Lady pushing someone in a I will try to notice when me, 36 I was naked and you
wheelchair
anyone needs help..
clothed me..’ The Beatitudes
– ‘You will be blessed when
you share what you have
with other people’
Lent and Holy Week is a time
of giving in different ways
and remembering the total
giving of Jesus.
In his Gospel, Matthew
makes it clear that in loving
and caring for other people
we are loving and caring for
Jesus. The Beatitudes – ‘You
will be blessed when you are
gentle. When you treat
others with kindness and
patience’.
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Year 4 -Self-discipline
Task: Within Learning Focus 3 pupils learn about Living in God’s way.
(Adapt Learning Focus 3, page 149, Activity 2).
Invite the pupils to design an information sheet (could take the form of a table or series of
paragraphs) which outlines what Christians can learn about self-giving from what Jesus said
(Based on Luke 6:27-28, 32-36 Learning Focus 3, p.149 – refer to Scripture notes – Come and
See website) giving reasons for their actions.
Include ways in which we can live out this message at school, at home and with our friends.
Supportive notes for the task:
In LF1 and 2 the children will have heard that Lent is part of the Liturgical Year when people
unite themselves with Christ in order to grow in self-discipline through the practices of
prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We celebrate growth of new life in Christ, in preparation for
the feast of Easter.
Self-giving is essential if individuals and relationships are to grow and develop well. During
Lent it is an opportunity for Christians to practice both self-giving & giving -up, to identify
with the complete self-giving of Jesus which we remember at Easter.
Helping others and putting their needs first is the mark of a follower of Jesus. Children are
helped to recognise the importance of self-control, (not wanting everything for ourselves)
so that self-giving can occur. Lent is an opportunity to practice self-control and self-giving
through fasting, prayer and giving money to charity e.g. CAFOD, Mission Together.
Expectations within Levels 2 & 3
The pupil could complete a table based on the words of Luke 6: 27-28, 32-36 – see examples
below. You may have to introduce some of the extra scripture in the ‘reasons’ section as the
children may not be familiar with them….however, do see what reasons they can give you or
add…….
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Scripture
How we live this out? (L2)
Love your enemies; do good – forgiving those who may
to those who hate you
not be always nice to me
Inviting people who I don’t
particularly like to play with
me at home and at school.
Sharing my toys with people
who might have upset me in
the past.
Reasons for actions (L3)
On the cross Jesus said,
‘Father forgive them, they do
not know what they are
doing’ (LK 23:34). Jesus
taught us that ‘loving one
another’ (Jn 13: 34) is done
through our self – giving
(putting others first) e.g. the
foot washing Jn 13: 4-9, 1215.
Pray for those who treat you Say or write a prayer for This is why we: forgive –
badly
someone who has upset me. Jesus forgave the thief Lk 23:
39-43 . Matthew 6:9-13 - in
the Our Father we are asked
to forgive others. Matthew
5:34 says ‘Love your enemies
and pray for those who
persecute you’
Don’t retaliate when people Try to be calm when others Lent is a time to practice
are nasty to you
are not very nice to me. self-control. Self-control is
Don’t try to get my own one of the fruits of the Holy
back. If someone in the Spirit.
playground hits me, I won’t 1 Peter 3:9 ‘Do not repay evil
hit them back!
with evil or insult with insult’
Do to others as you would Show respect and love to Refer to Mark 12:31 ‘Love
have them to do you
others at home and at your neighbour as yourself’.
school.
Matthew 7:12 “So whatever
Obey my teacher and you wish that others would do
parents, let my friends play to you, do also to them, for this
is the Law and the Prophets”.
with me etc..
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Year 5 - Sacrifice
Task: Adapt Learning Focus 1 page 143, Activity 1.
Using Church’s Story 3 (pages 96 and 98) and the Background notes design a
guide/leaflet/information sheet entitled ‘Why Lent is important to Christians’, outlining
what we do during Lent, why we do this and why it is an important time for Christians.
Supportive notes for the task:
The focus of the lesson will be why Lent is important (Church’s Story 3 pages 96 and 98)
rather than too much emphasis on Jesus in the desert. The notes above in ‘About the
Theme’ will supplement ‘Church’s Story’.
The key very often to understanding the meaning of Lent lies within Baptism. Preparation
for Baptism and for renewing baptismal commitment lies at the heart of the season.
Our challenge is to renew our understanding of this important season of the Church year
and to see how we can aspire to live better lives.
Lent is the 40 days before Easter in which Catholics pray, fast, contemplate, and engage in
acts of spiritual self-discipline. Catholics do these things because Easter, which celebrates
the Resurrection of Christ, is the greatest holy day of the Christian year (even above
Christmas) and Catholics have recognised that it is appropriate to prepare for such a holy
day by engaging in such disciplines.
The reason Lent lasts 40 days is that 40 is the traditional number of judgment and spiritual
testing in the Bible (Gn 7:4, Ex 24:18, 34:28, Nm 13:25, 14:33, Jon 3:4). Lent relates also to
the 40 days Christ spent fasting in the desert before entering into his public ministry (Mt
4:1-11). Catholics imitate Christ by spending 40 days in spiritual discipline before the
celebration of Christ's triumph over sin and death.
Expectations within Level 3
The pupil would firstly outline why Lent is important to Christians, briefly outlining what
Lent is and that Lent is a time of giving in preparation for the celebration of the sacrifice of
Jesus.
They may then choose to design a table similar to the one below:
What we do during Lent (L1)
Receive ashes
Why we do this? (reason)(L3)
Ash Wednesday marks the
beginning of Lent for
Catholics. Catholics receive
ashes on our forehead to the
accompaniment
of
the
words "Repent, and believe
in
the
Gospel"
or
"Remember that you are
Use of other sources(Level 4)
Reference to Palm Sunday –
palms used on Palm Sunday
are burned and used for the
ashes.)
Prayer over the ashes
(Church’s Story 3 p98)
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Fasting
Almsgiving
dust, and to dust you shall
return". Catholics believe
that they are called to
continuously ‘turn back’ to
God and live a holy life. The
symbol is a reminder that
this life is short and our real
lives will begin when we are
raised to New Life in the
communion of Saints.
Fasting is one of the
traditional Lenten practices.
Exercising self-discipline; a
hunger for God (see notes at
the beginning on ‘About the
Theme’)
Almsgiving is one of the
traditional Lenten practices.
To become aware of the
needs of others and be
prepared to help others (see
notes at the beginning on
‘About the Theme’)
Giving and giving up
To identify with the selfoffering of Jesus
Making Lenten Promises
Catholics make sacrifices to
remember Jesus’ sacrifice
and suffering. Christians try
to make changes to
their lives in order to
become more like Jesus and
live a new life of Easter joy.
They search for ways
in which they can live “good”
lives and turn away
from what is not “right”.
What people do during
Lent helps them grow in
holiness; growing in
God’s way.
Children may be familiar
with a hymn with a Lenten
theme e.g. Freely, freely,
‘Come back to me, with all
your heart etc…
Matthew 4:2 Jesus fasting
for 40 days and nights
(Isaiah 58 6 – 7) fasting
linked to justice.
Matthew 25:35-40 When I
was hungry…
Hymn: ‘Whatsoever you do’
Supporting the work of
CAFOD, Mission Together or
other charities
Holy Thursday – the washing
of the feet and Good Friday
highlight the self-giving of
Jesus. The sacrifice of Jesus
Catholics celebrate at mass.
Hymn ‘This is my body,
broken for you’.
Commemorating
Jesus'
exodus into the desert
(Matthew4: 1-11).
Jesus’ death on the cross
which we remember on
Good Friday and at every
mass.
Catholics try to celebrate the
Sacrament of Reconciliation
during Lent to help them
grow in God’s way.
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Prayer and reflection
Prayer is one of the
traditional Lenten practices.
Christians prepare spiritually
(see notes at the beginning
on ‘About the Theme’)
‘Stations of the Cross’ is a
special prayerful liturgy
Catholics celebrate during
Lent.
Catholics might pray the
sorrowful mysteries of the
Rosary.
Some of the more able children may then use their table as a ‘plan’ to write up their
information sheet/guide.
Year 6 - Death & New Life
Task: Adapt Learning Focus 1 page 157/58 Activity 1.
Using Church’s Story 3 (pages 96 and 98) and the Background notes design a
guide/leaflet/information sheet entitled ‘Lent: a time to die in order to live new life’.
Supportive notes for the task:
Although the task refers to LF1 it may be better to complete it after the final Learning
Focus. At the end of the topic the pupils will provide a much richer response.
The notes at the beginning on ‘About the Theme’ will support Church’s Story 3
Expectations within Level 4
The pupil would firstly place the season of Lent within a context, briefly outlining what Lent
is and that the Lenten journey is one which takes us to the glory of Easter Sunday, from
death to new life.
The pupil could then devise a table similar to the one below which links scripture/belief to
other religious sources and how these can shape our lives. The table is a summary of the
work they have done in the topic.
Scripture/Belief
Lent as a time in the
Church’s year when the
Christian family remembers
the suffering and death of
Jesus. It is a penitential
season when Catholics,
repent, turn back to God and
try to follow God’s ways
Other religious sources
Ashes as a symbol of
repentance "Repent, and
believe in the Gospel" or
"Remember that you are
dust, and to dust you shall
return". The symbol is a
reminder that this life is
short and our real lives will
How this shapes life (Level 4)
During Lent, Christians try to
be like Jesus. They practise
‘dying’ in order to ‘live’ a
new life. Refer back to LF1
Prayer
Fasting
Almsgiving
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more closely.
begin when we are raised to (see notes at the beginning
New Life in the Communion on ‘About the Theme’)
of Saints.
Prayer over the ashes
(Church’s Story 3 p98)
Lenten Calendar/promises
Jesus the Bread of Life - John 6: Eucharist
35, 37, 51, 60, 67-68. Bread is
Doing something for those
who are without food –
the major source of food for Hymn: ‘I am the bread of giving up money for CAFOD.
many people and they might Life’
Remember LF2
die without it. Jesus was not
talking about that kind of ‘Bread of Life’ icon
bread but was saying that he
is like bread for life.
Our Father – ‘give us this
day…’
Unless A Grain of Wheat – Hymn: ‘Unless a grain of Refer to Lf3 and the ways in
John 12:24-25
wheat shall fall..’
which my life can be ‘fruitful’
for others.
Belief that we must ‘die to Creed
(Death
and
live’ . When we die to self Resurrection)
our life is fruitful for others.
Holy Week services
Stations of the Cross
Jesus died on the cross to Good Friday
show his love for us and that
we might have new life
Stations of the Cross
Identify with the self-offering
of Jesus when I die to
selfishness and do things for
others
Carel Weight – Crucifixion II
Crucifix
Hymn: When I survey the
wondrous cross’
John 20: 1-8 One story of The Easter Vigil in the Holy
Jesus resurrection from the Night takes place on Holy
dead.
Saturday night, as late as
possible. This is a celebration
of Jesus’ New Life, his
Resurrection from the dead
and it is a joyful occasion.
A belief in the resurrection
helps Christians to be
hopeful. If any situation is
sad or ‘dark’ it helps them to
live in a belief that in the end
everything will turn out for
the good. After darkness
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The priest wears white comes the light, after death
vestments as a sign of comes new life
celebration and joy.
The
Easter
candle
symbolising light in darkness
– out of death comes new
life.
The Easter fire
The Liturgy of Baptism: ‘That
all who have been buried
with Christ by Baptism into
death, may rise again to life
with him’.
An Easter garden
Glorious mysteries of the
Rosary
Hymns: John Burland – He Is
Risen Alleluia and He Lives;
The light of Christ;
Christ the Lord is Risen etc.
Art: The Light of the World –
William Holman Hunt
Some of the more able children may then use their table as a ‘plan’ to write up their
information sheet/guide.
A descriptive information sheet is evidence of L2.
A descriptive sheet which gives reasons for how we act is evidence of L3
A descriptive sheet which gives reasons for how we act and includes other religious sources
is evidence of L4
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