Year 7 Syllabus

2. SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

Aims:

Beginning with pupils' own experience, to cultivate an understanding of symbolic modes of expression. To gain knowledge and understanding of some simple religious symbols and the ideas they seek to convey.

'Implicit' Ideas:

Symbolism; communicating and expressing ideas - especially spiritual; community; expressing the inexpressible; some questions of ultimate concern.

Concepts:

Implicit: The main concept is, of course, symbolism - keep coming back to the question "What is a symbol?" Others include meaning, mystery and transcendence, interpretation, destiny.
Explicit concepts may include God, Trinity, samsara, sin, sacrifice, afterlife, atonement, eternity, meditation, buddha, nirvana and so on, depending on symbols covered.

Content and Suggestions:

Use 'Symbols' booklets as a project guide. This includes work on signs and symbols in everyday life, Christian symbols, symbols of God and Jesus Christ, symbols of other religions (especially Islam, Sikhism and Buddhism), symbolic objects and actions. Some preliminary ideas can be investigated here concerning beliefs in the religions studied - e.g. the Trinity, Allah's 99 names and the use of calligraphy, samsara etc. Could work in groups for a wall display or, better, individually to produce project booklets. A final piece of work could be for pupils to design their own religious symbol to represent what they believe.

Time:

About 6 weeks.

Resources:


Symbols					FitzWimarc booklet
Book of World Religions			Books (Old - limited use)
Symbols					Slides (various)
Symbols					OHP slides
Symbols of Religion			Some posters
Boxes of books for each religion: Islam; Buddhism; Sikhism suitable for variety of abilities.

Assessment:

Ability to recognise, select and identify appropriate symbols
Understanding the use of religious symbolism to express important ideas and beliefs.
Ability to interpret this symbolism
Ability to express own ideas and beliefs in a symbolic way
Generally - refer to KS3 statements in R.E. Department Handbook.

G. Jones:
The FitzWimarc School, Rayleigh, Essex