Download RE Newsletter Primary Issue 5

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Medway SACRE RE Newsletter for schools
Primary Issue 5
July 2014
Welcome to this fifth edition of the RE
newsletter from Medway Council's Standing
Advisory Council on Religious Education
(SACRE).
Local RE news
Some thoughts on RE and Literacy
Ofsted on literacy
Promoting pupils' literacy skills remains
central to the work of schools. Few would
disagree that the key skills of speaking,
listening, reading and writing are rightly seen
as basic skills as they are essential tools for
learning. Many would also agree that they
should be developed across different
subjects. However, Ofsted reports, when
highlighting areas for improvement,
repeatedly point that these skills are not
always developed as well as they could be
across different subjects. They have also
often mentioned that:
 pupils are too often expected to listen to
the teacher talking for too long. As a
result, there are too few opportunities for
them to speak and listen to each other or
to read and write on their own without
adult support
 outside literacy slots, pupils are given too
few opportunities for extended writing.
Literacy in RE
RE is a key subject where pupils' literacy skills
can be further promoted for the subject can
provide:
 a different context for pupils to apply,
practise and reinforce their skills
 opportunities to develop pupils'
vocabulary by using a range of common
and general religious words (see the list
later on pages 3 to 6) some of which can
be used in other subjects .
However, when literacy work is taking place
in an RE lesson, the prime aim should be to
develop RE knowledge and skills, but at the
same time promoting pupils’ literacy skills.
RE textbooks
RE has traditionally placed an emphasis on
‘learning through talk’, i.e. speaking and
listening, but this has often meant that there
have been too few opportunities for reading
and writing. Some schools have too few RE
text books for pupils to read. It is worth
noting that:
 tasks in RE textbooks are not always
sufficiently demanding or wide ranging
 many of the words used in the study of
religions are likely to be unfamiliar to
many pupils as so many families in Great
Britain today have little contact with
religious institutions and so of the
religious language used.
Some questions
It is worth asking:
 Does the school’s literacy policy require
the development of literacy skills in
different subjects?
 Does the school’s RE policy require the
development of pupils' literacy skills?
 Is it clear in an RE scheme of work where
the promotion of literacy skills can take
place?
A glossary of common and general
words in RE
See pages 3-6 of this newsletter.
Reviews of RE in Medway Schools
SACRE is continuing to arrange day reviews
of RE to take place in Medway primary and
secondary schools (both local authority
maintained schools) so that it can gain some
first-hand information about the state of RE
in the locality as well as providing some
direct support to schools. They have resulted
in a written report for each school on the
strengths of the provision and suggested
areas for development.
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Schools who would be interested in Ian
Hartland undertaking a day review of RE
should contact the SACRE Chairman Cllr
Trevor Clarke. There is no charge to
schools for these days.
Contacts
The Medway SACRE website address:
A range of publications can now be accessed
at: http://www.medway.gov.uk/sacre
Cllr Trevor Clarke (SACRE chairman)
email address:
[email protected]
Ian Hartland, Medway RE Consultant
email address:
[email protected]
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A Glossary of common and general words in RE
This glossary lists a number of common words such as ‘belief’ and general religious terms such as ‘sacred’, which are
often used in RE. It does not list words that are distinctive of a particular religion such as Trinity in Christianity or
mosque in Islam. Explanations of the meaning of many distinctive religious terms can be found in the SCAA Glossary
of religious terms (1994) which can be found on some RE websites. It may be found under the heading - Religious
Education: glossary of terms.
The numbers in the KS column below give the views of some Medway teachers about whether this word should be
known and understood by pupils at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The meaning of the words in the
Explanation column seek to be simple and straightforward but are primarily aimed at teachers so they can explain the
term more accurately to pupils. More detailed and nuanced explanations of many of these terms may be found in
academic works and more specialist dictionaries such as:
Bowker J
2000
Oxford concise dictionary of world religions
Oxford
Greaves R
2002
Continuum glossary of religious terms
Continuum
Hinnells JR Ed.
2001
Penguin dictionary of religions
Penguin
KS
Key word
A
2
AD
2
Agnosticism
Agnostic
1
Amen
1
Angel
2
2
Atheism
Atheist
B
BC
2
BCE
2
Belief
Believer
1/2
Blessing
2
Burial
1
C
Calendar
2
CE
1
Celebration
Celebrate
Conscience
2
1
Creation
Creator
Explanation
A
Stands for the Latin phrase, Anno Domini, meaning ‘in the year of Our Lord.’ It refers to
dating of the Western calendar which starts with the birth of Jesus. It is used alongside the
letters BC (before Christ). It has been replaced in many circles by the letters CE (common
era).
From the Greek meaning ‘not knowing’. The term can mean being open-minded or doubtful
as to the truth of claims made for the reality or existence of God or any supernatural realm.
For some it is the claim that we cannot know whether there is a God as there is no
conclusive proof.
From the Hebrew meaning literally, ‘it is trustworthy’. Often recited after a prayer or
blessing. In popular usage sometimes used to signal agreement with an assertion.
From the Greek for a messenger. Believed to be supernatural beings created by God who
are sometimes used to convey messages to humans. Recognised by Jews, Christians and
Muslims.
Belief that there is no God or gods, as it is claimed the belief lacks good reasons or
convincing evidence to support it. It is the denial of the existence of God.
B
From the Latin for ‘before Christ’. It is used alongside the letters AD for the dating of the
Western calendar from the assumed birth of Christ. It has been replaced in some circles by
the letters BCE.
Before the Common Era. Often used in Religious Studies to avoid assumptions about the
significance of Jesus as the Christ or Messiah.
Acceptance of claim as true, which goes beyond intellectual proof or when the evidence falls
short of a claim to knowledge. There can be degrees of belief ranging from suspicion or
surmise to sure conviction. Religious belief may entail a belief in someone or something
resulting in a basic trust and a belief that a statement is true.
The expression of a wish or request over a person or an object, that good may come about,
or the benefit which flows from such a request. When a prayer it may also be called a
benediction. May also be a prayer before a meal which is a form of thanksgiving.
One of the traditional way to dispose of the dead by placing them in the ground or some
other place, e.g. in a tomb.
C
System of marking the passage of time by dividing the year into periods of days, weeks or
months. Lunar calendar is based on cycles of the moon. Solar calendar based on the
rotation of the earth around the sun. May include a list of special days or seasons
commemorating people or events.
Means Common Era and is used to avoid using the letters A.D. (Anno Domini), which might
involve the recognition of Jesus as Lord and so divine.
An activity, usually a corporate and an enjoyable one to mark a time or event such as
marriage or spring festival.
An inner faculty or ability for making moral judgements, which brings about both a sense of
guilt and a sense of duty or what ought to be done. For some religious people it is the voice
of God acting to guide a person.
Term usually implies belief in a Creator, i.e. the universe derives from a source beyond and
greater than itself, usually believed to be God. Sometimes, the idea of creation is mistakenly
contrasted with an evolutionary view suggesting that religion and science are bound to be in
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2
Cult
1
Devil
2
Devotion
1
Disciple
E
Eternity
Eternal
D
2
F
1
Faith
2
Fasting
Fast
1
Feast
1
Festival
2
Forgiveness
2
Founder
1
Funeral
Funerary
G
God
1
1
gods,
goddesses
1
H
Heaven
2
Hell
2
Holy
Holiness
2
I
Idol
Idolatry
conflict.
Term can describe (a) a sub-set of beliefs and practices in a religion, often directed towards
a particular figure or object, e.g. the Hindu cult devoted to Shiva, and (b) a smaller group
which may be regarded by those outside it as strange or as imposing excessive control over
its members.
D
Describes a ‘bad ‘ or ‘fallen angel, or supernatural creature or more especially their chief,
who may also be known as Satan or Lucifer. Believed by some to be capable of affecting
humans. A belief of a number of religions.
Reverent and respectful attitudes and actions towards the divine, but not always God or the
gods. Can be towards a saint or spiritual person, ancestors, or objects, e.g. relics, places
and objects. Often expressed in worship, prayer and meditation but also through social
action. Term ‘devotions’ can mean saying prayers.
Can be used broadly to mean a follower of a person or belief, or an adherent to a religion.
E
Means going on forever, what is beyond and outside time. It refer to (a) God as everlasting
and who always existed and will always exist, (b) both everlasting life after death and a
quality of life as in the Christian use of the term ‘eternal life’.
F
Can mean: (a) a religion, e.g. the Muslim or Christian faith, (b) the attitude of a believer
towards the object of their belief, e.g. an act of trust and belief in God, or gods which may
lead to the response of devotion and dependence.
Voluntary abstinence, from eating and/or drinking usually for a set period, e.g. a day, in
obedience to religious rules or as a spiritual discipline. It is often undertaken as a
preparation for a special ceremony.
A large meal often to celebrate and event. Can be used to describe an annual religious
festival, e.g. in Christianity a day dedicated to a saint.
Special day (or days), which may recall and celebrate historical events, a myth or legend
which is important for a particular community. It often involves shared ritual acts.
To stop feeling resentful, bitter or angry towards someone for an offence or mistake. May
involve the expression of such feeling to the person who caused the offence. Can refer to
God’ s attitude to humans, which may require the prior expression of sorrow and guilt for
mistakes. Its goal is to achieve reconciliation and re-establish good relations between
separated parties.
Key person who has usually undergone a profound experience that gives rise to a religious
tradition. The significance of the founder differs from one religion to another and the term
should not be used for all spiritual leaders, e.g. Muslims do not describe the Prophet
Muhammad as the founder of Islam.
Funerary practices involve the ritual disposing of the dead, which permit expressions of
sadness and sorrow but may also reflect a belief in life after death.
G
A word used to denote a Supreme Being and supernatural power that is considered by most
religions as the source and sustainer of the universe. Different terms are used for God in
different religious traditions such as Allah in Islam or Waheguru in Sikhism. Also varied
views about God’s attributes and character.
Belief in a number of deities, which may be male or female. In some traditions they are
believed to be capable of influencing people and events on earth. May also involve worship
or veneration of images of gods in an attempt to influence them.
H
The ‘dwelling place’ of God and also the ‘place’ where the good are destined to go after their
death to be united with God. Believed to be beyond our imagination to conceive.
Traditionally a place of suffering after death, often symbolised as a place of burning and
torment, for those who are evil, or who deny God. Different views about (a) whether
experience of hell lasts for ever or is only a temporary state and (b) if people are sent to
hell or they ‘send themselves’ because of the sort of person they have become.
Means ‘set apart’. Can mean: 1. Something set apart for sacred purposes, e.g. bread and
wine for holy communion in Christianity, 2. When describing a person, one who
possesses a particular quality which conveys a special religious sense, e.g. of closeness to
God, 3. When describing a religious experience which may bring a sense of awe, mystery
and ‘other-ness’. Some would say only God should be described as holy. Similar to word
sacred.
I
1. An image or a representation of a god used as an object of worship. 2. An object of
adulation, e.g. a soccer or pop idol. Idolatry is the worship of idols and is sometimes used in
a pejorative sense for those who seem to ‘worship’ wealth, possessions, power or status.
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2
Initiation
Initiate
2
Inspiration
Inspire
2
2
2
J
Judgement
Justice
Just
L
Legend
Legendary
1
M
Marriage
2
Meditation
1
Miracle
Miraculous
2
Mission
Missionary
2
2
2
Monotheism
Monotheist
Morality
Moral
Mysticism
Mystical
Mystic
Myth
Mythological
mythology
N
O
P
Pantheism
1
2
Parable
Pilgrimage
Pilgrim
1
Prayer
1
Priest
2
Prophecy
Prophet
2
Prostration
Prostrate
Purity
2
Procedure or ceremony for inducting new members into an organisation, faith community or
into adulthood, e.g. the rite of joining the Khalsa in Sikhism, the Christian rite of baptism or
Jewish rite of circumcision.
Can mean a powerful sense of creativity. In religion it often refers to the belief that God
influences people to speak or act or to write. So sacred writings may be believed to be
written under divine inspiration.
J
In religions it usually means a time after death when each person’s life is judged by God. It
may result in them going to heaven or hell.
In religions an ethical term to describe what is fair and morally right or what is deserved. It
is a key moral category in many religions.
L
A traditional story which may contain some elements of historical truth, e.g. applied by
Christians to some parts of their Old Testament. Should be distinguished from the term
myth.
M
The creation of a union between a man and a woman often through a ceremony involving
making promises. The creation of a bond, a contract and a committed relationship. It is a
universal cultural institution
Thinking about something deeply, often in the light of an ultimate reference point and thus
prayerful reflection. It may involve special techniques to achieve a meditative state.
Describes an extraordinary occurrence. Traditionally seen as an event which transcends or
suspends the ‘laws of nature’ brought about by a special act of God. Today there are
different views amongst religious believers about the ‘laws of nature, whether miracles
occur and how unusual and extraordinary events should be interpreted.
The attempt to win new adherents to a religion. A feature of a number of religions, notable
Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. It may be based on the belief that the religion possesses
a unique revelation which must be shared with others. Today there is an awareness that it
may involve exporting a culture as well as a faith.
Belief that there is only one God or Divine Being.
Treated by many as an equivalent to ethics and ethical. May be a part of a study of theology
(moral theology) or philosophy (moral philosophy). In popular usage terms moral/morality
are often narrowly associated with issues surrounding sexual behaviour.
Mystic is one engaged in the spiritual quest for, direct experience of God or one who
claims to have attained this goal. Mysticism concentrates typically on the disciplines of
prayer, meditation and contemplation and is the study associated with this quest.
Traditional stories often involving supernatural agencies involving gods and their relations
with humans or explanations of physical phenomena. May convey insights about life,
death, and the universe. Myths not usually understood as historically or literally true.
N
O
P
The idea that God and nature or the universe are one or that the universe is a manifestation
of God.
Simple and short story used to illustrate a religious, spiritual or moral lesson.
A journey, which traditionally may be difficult, to a special place or sacred site for a religious
purpose or to secure religious benefits. May be used of the journey of life itself as the long
search for meaning, purpose and union with God.
Request for help for self or others, the expression of sorrow, praise, adoration or thanks
directed towards God or gods. May involve set forms of words or be spontaneous and
unplanned, may be vocal or silent, may take place with others or when alone.
Official who performs religious ceremonies. In Christianity a term for ordained ministers in
the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox churches who are authorized to perform certain
ceremonies, especially the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Popular meaning is ability to predict the future, but more accurate religious meaning is
speaking on behalf of God and especially interpreting the ‘signs of the times’ and offering a
vision of how God would like things to be. A prophet is one who claims to speak on behalf of
God.
Show devotion by lying stretched out, faced down on the ground.
In religious terms may mean a state of inner health, moral goodness, or innocence. For
some a religious goal is to achieve ‘purity of mind, heart and will.’ In some religious
traditions outward purity is also important. This may involve avoiding contact with particular
objects, food and creatures and cleansing might be achieved through ritual washing.
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R
Rebirth
2
Reincarnation
2
Religion
2
Repentance
1
Resurrection
2
2
Rite
Ritual
2
Rites of passage
2
Sacred
1
Sacrifice
2
Sanctify
Scripture
2
Shrine
2
Sin
2
Soul
2
Spirit
Spiritual
Spirituality
1
Symbol
Symbolism
S
2
T
Tradition
2
U
Ultimate
questions
V
Values
2
Vow
1
W
Worship
2
R
Buddhists prefer the term rebirth rather than the term reincarnation as this suggests an
immortal soul which is a Hindu notion and not a Buddhist one.
Belief that after bodily death some aspect of the self or the soul (of human or animal
reborn in a new body. Process may be repeated many times. Fundamental belief of
number of Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
Can have different meanings but often means a particular way of life based on a
system of beliefs and practices, e.g. Islam.
Can mean a ‘turning‘, with an intense feeling of remorse at failings in the past and the
resolution to embark on a new way of life. In religious terms can mean ‘a turning from sin
back to God’.
Mainly Jewish, Christian and Muslim belief in the re-animation or restoration of a person
after death not on earth but in another realm. Not seen as a natural process but state
brought about by God.
A solemn or religious ceremony.
A solemn or religious ceremony which involves a series of actions e.g. using the body or
with special objects, performed according to a set order. Often an aspect of worship.
Ceremonies associated with major moments of transition in a person’s life such as birth,
naming, initiation, puberty and taking on adult responsibilities, marriage and death.
S
Being set apart and deserving of respect and reverence or veneration. Similar in meaning to
holy. May be contrasted with term profane or secular.
In religion, the offering or surrender of something of value often to God e.g. in a life of
service to God. May mean the killing of animals or the offering of food or objects to the
gods to please them, seek their favour. Offer thanksgiving in order to maintain good
relations with them.
To set apart, consecrate or make holy.
From the Latin for writing. A written work held to be authoritative by a religious tradition.
Often used as the basis of its faith. Origins may be attributed to special revelation
from God to humans. Interpretation undertaken often by a class of religious scholars.
Place regarded as holy because of its associations with a god, spiritual leader or sacred
person. May contain relics or religious objects e.g. statues. May also be a place set apart in
the home, e.g. as in Hinduism
Understood differently in various religious traditions. May mean rebellion against the will of
God, failure to adhere to divine laws or a ‘turning away’ from God. May describe specific
acts such as greed or cruelty.
In religious terms may mean 1. The core of the personality, the life force that animates
living beings, which is invisible and spiritual. 2. The self or mind. 3. The divine element
within a person.
Diverse and elusive meanings. May mean: 1. The non-physical power which energises,
animates and directs a person. 2. Power which proceeds from God, 3. Non-material beings,
i.e. ‘spirits’ who exert influence on the world. Term spirituality also has different meanings,
e.g. a study of the inner life and disciplines of prayer. Should be distinguished from
spiritualism.
Thing which represents or stands for something else , especially a material object which
represents something abstract e.g. the Seder plate in Judaism. May convey deep
meaning and evoke strong emotions, e.g. a national flag or the Cross in Christianity.
T
In religious terms the transmission of beliefs and customs passed on through the
generations which may be held to originate in the teachings and practices of a founder.
May be seen as authoritative. Sometimes used to complement the term scripture.
U
‘Highest’, ‘deepest’, or most searching and far-reaching, questions about the meaning and
purpose of life. May also be called fundamental questions.
V
In moral and religious terms, means worthy moral principles or standards which motivate or
direct a person and lead to a certain code of behaviour.
Solemn and voluntary promise and personal commitment made to something held to be
sacred such as God or the crown. Vows are directed towards the future and a commitment
to a course of action or mode of behaviour, e.g. in marriage or the monastic life.
W
The expression, often in rites and ceremonies, of reverence and veneration
towards a God or gods often in acts of adoration, confession, petition,
intercession and thanksgiving.