BRINGING BIG IDEAS TO LIFE: MEDIUM TERM PLANNING
The bridge between the Big Idea and the substantive knowledge is the topic-related question.
Schools should interpret the following ‘pupils know and understand’ sections in relation to the religions / worldviews they have chosen to teach for this age-group. These decisions will reflect the national legal requirement and any local or denominational requirements.
Topic-related Questions and Learning Objectives for Ages 11-14
BI 6: THE BIG PICTURE: AGE-RELATED BIG IDEA FOR AGES 11-14
Many religions / worldviews provide a coherent account of what the universe is like and why it is as it is. These accounts may be called ‘grand narratives’. For many religious people the most important source of their big picture of the world is found in sacred texts, often believed to have been divinely inspired. Many people identify with narratives that deny the existence of any divine beings or predetermined purpose in life. Other people believe that science and reason can explain everything and that there is no need for religious explanations.
| Topic-related question | Pupils know and understand: |
| 1. What is a ‘grand narrative’? | i. the nature of a grand narrative ii. the ‘big story’ of the religions / worldviews studied iii. the names of sacred texts of the world faiths and the names of some highly influential non-religious texts iv. how smaller narratives of a religion / worldview relate to its overall ‘big story’ v. why people from the same religion / worldview interpret and apply narratives differently. |
| 2. Why do some people deny the existence of any divine being or that there is any predetermined purpose in life? | i. the meaning of the terms ‘atheist’ and ‘agnostic’ ii. the arguments put forward against the existence of a divine being and against the need for religious grand narratives iii. that not all religions are based on the existence of a divine being and why they are considered religions e.g. Buddhism, Jainism. |
| 3. What are some of the non-religious explanations about the origin, meaning and purpose of life? | i. explanations of the meaning and purpose of life without a divine being (e.g. Humanism, scientific explanations). |
EXEMPLAR(S) OF THIS MEDIUM TERM PLAN
(Word Download) Exemplar coming soon…
TRANSFERABLE QUESTIONS
Does God exist?
Does life have a purpose?