Download Key Stage 3 - Buddha

Topic Title: Buddha
Religion/s: Buddhism
Key Stage: 3
Aspects of the Range Covered
Origin and purpose of life
Authority & Influence


Natural world and living things

Relationships & responsibilities
Human Identity

Journey of life
Meaning &purpose of life

Non material/ spiritual

Knowledge & experience of non-material/
spiritual

Belonging
Religious Education: Scheme of Work for Secondary Schools
Key Stage: 3
Learning objectives
To explore the story of the
life of the Buddha
Title of Unit: The Buddha
Key Questions
Why is the
Buddha important
for Buddhists?
Religion/s: Buddhism
Suggested Learning Activities
Card sorting activity. Arrange the story of the life
of the Buddha into a sensible sequence. In what
way is it a life-changing story?
Resources
Sorting cards - life of
Buddha
Quick off the draw activity. In groups of 4 each
pupil reads a different resource telling the story of
the Buddha’s life. By pooling information the
groups then race to answer 10 questions in the
quickest time.
Quick off the draw –
information sheets &
questions
Watch a video/DVD e.g. ‘The Little Buddha’
(edited to only include the scenes of the life of
the Buddha, in particular the 4 sights). Formulate
a series of questions that Siddhartha Gautama
(Buddha) would want to ask father on his return.
Video / DVD – e.g.
‘The Little Buddha’
As the Buddha on his
deathbed, write a
letter to his wife &
son
Compile a fact-file of the life of the Buddha
To explore the causes of
suffering
Freeze-frame – 5 events from the life of the
Buddha
What is suffering? Snowball activity to create a Venn diagram/table
to explore the cause of suffering, under the
What causes
headings: human, natural & both. Begin in pairs,
suffering?
join others to make a group of 4, then discuss as
a class.
Group discussion of the 3 universal truths using
Assessment
Imagine you are the
Buddha returning
from your chariot
ride. Write a short
conversation with
your father
beginning:
Father: What’s
happened? You look
dreadful
Buddha: Why did you
keep the truth from
me?
Cards on 3 universal
To investigate Buddha’s
remedy for suffering
cards to stimulate discussion (truth on 1 side &
question on reverse)
Card 1: Anicca
Think of some aspects of the world that appear
permanent. How are they changing? (e.g.
mountains, sea, rivers)
Card 2: Anatta
Give 5 examples of how you’ve changed in the
last 7 years (e.g. appearance, favourite foods)
Card 3: Dukkha
Is the Buddha right? Is suffering caused by
selfishness and craving?
How can suffering Sorting activity. Recap previous learning on 4
be overcome?
Noble Truths by placing them in order.
Look at a diagram of the 8-fold path. Pupils to
discuss in pairs what right speech/ action/
livelihood would mean to them.
truths
The Buddhist
Experience p.12
This Is RE Book 3
p.62-63 - pictures of
suffering
Design a poster
entitled ‘The Real
Me’ to show the
Buddhist idea
that we are always
changing.
“Humans cause their
own misery” Do you
agree?
Sorting Cards or use
Interactive
Whiteboard
Diagram of 8 fold
path
Continuum line activity. Pupils place in order the
5 precepts into those that cause most suffering to
those that cause least suffering. Explain how
each one causes suffering & how this suffering
can be avoided e.g. complete chart on bad habits
and how to change
This is RE Book 1
p.79
The Buddhist
Experience p.48
Meditation activity. Metta bhavana meditation
where pupils will contemplate loving-kindness
being generated within themselves; given to
friends, strangers, enemies and the whole world.
This Is RE Book 1
p.81
Describe their
experiences & draw
how they picture the
loving kindness
To reflect on ways that
suffering can be eased
How can humans
help to ease
suffering?
Spider diagram activity. Pupils to show 5 ways
individuals/groups can ease the suffering of
others.
Is charity work
important?
ICT activity. Pupils to research websites of
various charities e.g. Christian Aid, World Vision,
“Money for Madagascar” charity (Swansea & W.
Wales), Comic Relief etc.
Produce a PowerPoint outlining 5 practical ways
in which the charity eases suffering
Key Words
Anicca, anatta, dukkha, Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, Four noble truths,Eight fold path, suffering, Metta bhavana
Promotional leaflet or
T shirt for a charity
working to reduce
suffering