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The Good Shepherd
Catholic Primary School
“I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own and my own know me”. John 10:14"
Branch 6 Dialogue & Encounter
In this unit of study, Year 3 will explore the connections between the Jewish celebration of Passover and the Last Supper, examining the links between Exodus and the teachings of Jesus.
Pupils will learn about the significance of the Passover in Jewish tradition today, using religious vocabulary to describe the symbols and actions involved in the meal. They will also explore Islamic beliefs and practices, particularly focusing on the concept of one God, the significance of Muhammad, and the importance of God's will in daily life. Through discussion and reflection, pupils will consider how these faiths shape the lives of their followers.
The Catholic Social Teaching focus for this unit will be on Human Dignity, where students will examine how Jesus' teachings challenged the social norms of the Roman Empire, promoting the inherent dignity of every person. This will link to their history topic on the Romans, where they will investigate how Christian principles contrasted with Roman social structures.
Judaism Workshop
Year 3 learned about Jewish culture through an engaging assembly and workshop. In the assembly, they explored the significance of the Torah, the central religious text in Judaism, and examined key symbols such as the Star of David and the Menorah. The assembly also highlighted the shared values across different religions, focusing on compassion and justice. In the workshop, pupils heard the story of Moses and the Exodus, learning about the celebration of Passover and its meaning. They discovered the symbolism behind traditional foods like matzah, bitter herbs, charoset, and lamb shank, gaining a deeper understanding of Jewish traditions and the cultural significance of Passover.
How is Passover Celebrated Today?
The children learned about the Seder meal and how Passover is celebrated in Britain today. We began by exploring the story of the Exodus. The children then learned how Jesus celebrated the Last Supper during Passover, renewing God's covenant.
They discovered the symbolism of each item on the Seder plate and discussed how these help Jewish families remember the story of their ancestors’ freedom. The children then created their own Seder plates and explained the meaning behind each part.
Matzah (unleavened bread) – reminds Jewish people that they had to leave Egypt in a hurry and didn’t have time for their bread to rise.
Maror (bitter herbs) – symbolises the bitterness of slavery.
Charoset (sweet paste of apples, nuts, and wine) – represents the mortar used by the Israelites to build in Egypt.
Herbs dipped in salt water - the tears shed in slavery.
Zeroa (lamb bone) – a reminder of the lamb sacrificed on the night of the first Passover
Egg – symbolises the hope for new life.