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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.
The Five Pillars of Islam
We explored the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the core beliefs and practices that guide Muslims in their daily lives. The children learned what each pillar represents and discussed how Muslims live out these beliefs today.
To help us reflect on the meaning of each pillar, the children created and decorated their own representations of the Five Pillars:
- Shahada (Faith): Believing in one God (Allah).
- Salah (Prayer): Praying five times a day to stay close to God.
- Zakat (Charity): Giving to those in need and helping the poor.
- Sawm (Fasting): Fasting during the month of Ramadan to grow in self-discipline and thankfulness.
- Hajj (Pilgrimage): Making a journey to the holy city of Mecca at least once, if able.
Each pillar was decorated to show what it means to Muslims in the modern world – from prayer and charity to fasting and pilgrimage.
Learning about Islam
The children explored some of the special objects and traditions linked to Muslim prayer and worship. They had the opportunity to see and handle a prayer mat, a copy of the Qur'an, and examples of Islamic art found in mosques.
The children learned how Muslims use a prayer mat during Salah (prayer), and they discovered the small compass often built into the mat to help Muslims face Mecca when they pray. They also had a chance to try on a hijab.
They were fascinated to see the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, and treated it with great care and respect. Looking at examples of Islamic art, the children noticed the patterns, symmetry, and Arabic calligraphy often used in mosques to decorate the space.
Islamic Art (Arabesque Designs)
The children explored Islamic art, which is often used to decorate mosques and prayer spaces in a meaningful and respectful way. First, they learned about arabesque designs – flowing patterns of leaves, vines, and flowers that represent the beauty of nature and God's creation. The children created their own arabesque tiles out of clay, carefully pressing in swirling patterns and flowy patterns to represent the beauty of nature.
Islamic Art (Calligraphy)
Next, children looked at Islamic calligraphy, a special form of writing used to show important words and verses from the Qur’an in a beautiful way. Because pictures of people or God are not used in mosques, calligraphy becomes a powerful way to express faith. The children created their own paintings inspired by Islamic calligraphy.
Islamic Art (Geometric Patterns)
Children also explored geometric patterns, which are a big part of Islamic art. These repeating shapes and symmetrical designs are used to show the idea of infinity and the greatness of God. The children had the opportunity to practise drawing their own geometric patterns, using rulers and templates to help them create precise and eye-catching designs.
Learning from Others
We had the opportunity to learn more about Islam through a visit from Yasmin, who is a practicing Muslim.
Before Yasmin arrived, the children worked together to come up with questions about her faith, daily practices, and what it means to be a Muslim. Yasmin kindly answered each one, helping us understand the similarities and differences between Islam and our own Catholic faith. The children were especially curious about the city of Mecca and its importance in Islam, as well as the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Yasmin also brought along some items to share with us, including a prayer mat, a copy of the Qur’an, and some hijabs that we were invited to try on. Some of these items, including the beautiful dresses she showed us, came from Arabia and Morocco, which made it even more special to see and learn about them firsthand.
We are very grateful to Yasmin for taking the time to visit us and for sharing her faith and culture!
Learning about Judaism with Mr. Frumkin
Mr. Frumkin (Erica's father) came in to teach us more about Judaism. We learned about famous Jewish figures, such as Moses and King David. We also explored Jewish holidays. We tasted apple and honey, which are eaten during Rosh Hashanah. The apple represents the cycle of the year, and the honey symbolises the hope for a sweet new year. We also tried matzo, the flatbread eaten during Passover. Finally, we played dreidel, a traditional game played by Jewish people to celebrate Hanukkah.