Y6 Spring 3 / TITLE OF UNIT: The resurrection of Jesus
KEY THEME: Easter
KEY CONCEPT: Resrurrection
STRANDS /
FIELDS OF ENQUIRY: AT1: Beliefs, Teachings and Sources
AT2: Questions of Meaning
Purpose and Truth
AT 1 (See Local Agreed Syllabus)
AT 2
Learning outcomes
· Retell the key events in the story (sequence).
· Talk about the resurrection.
· Give reasons why Christians believe in life after death.
· Explain symbolism of cross and crucifix for Christians.
· Explain symbolism of the Paschal candle.
· Talk about responses of people involved and empathise with them.
· Say why Easter is important for Christians today.
· Talk about key characters, especially role of women.
· Attempt to explain the terms ‘suffering and sacrifice’ when related to Jesus.
· Explain how Christians celebrate Easter today.
· Be able to discuss the links with the creed and the Eucharist.
Expectations – levels of attainment (See Local Agreed Syllabus)
Nearly all can:- (LEVEL 2)
.
Many can:- (LEVEL 2/3)
Some children have progressed further and can:- (LEVEL 3)
Skills
· Reflection
· Communication / Expression
· Enquiry / Investigation
· Empathy
· Interpretation
· Reasoning
· Analysis
· Evaluation
Key attitudes and values
· Respect / Sensitivity for all
· Open mindedness
· Appreciation, Awe and Wonder
Opportunities for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
(See Local Agreed Syllabus)
e.g.
· Explore issues of life after death.
· Discuss the Christian Creed.
· Consider burial rites from different cultures and countries.
· Consider the emotions and feelings of the characters involved.
· Explore the role of the women in the story.
· Consider the role of Thomas and the concepts of doubt and incredulity.
Every child matters
Being Healthy
Enjoy and Achieve
Making a Positive Contribution
Staying Safe
Economic Well being / Cross curricular links
Art,
Music
Science
Biology
English / Social cohesion
Talk to Christians locally and find out their beliefs on the Resurrection
Find out what other Christians around the world believe about the resurrection and how they celebrate Easter
Prior learning
Year 3: Marriage Christian / Jewish
Artefacts for prayer and worship
Year 4: The Life of Jesus / Key vocabulary
Resurrection Shabbat
Crucifix Astonishment
Paschal Candle Incredulity
Emmaus
Key questions for enquiry
Possible teaching activities
Background information for the teacher
The word resurrection means to ‘exist again’ and in Christian terms it means Jesus coming back to life after three days. Each gospel tells us that the risen Jesus appeared to his friends. Matthew’s Gospel tells how when the women were visiting the tomb in which Jesus’ body had been placed there was a violent earthquake. They saw an angel who spoke to them and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead and that they should go and tell the other disciples.Later Jesus appeared to the disciples. (Matthew 28.)
Mark tells how when the women went to embalm the body they found the tomb empty and the stone rolled away. Inside they found a ‘young man’ wearing white who told them that Jesus had risen and that they should go and tell the others. He goes on to say how Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and then the other disciples. (Mark 16.)
Luke tells the story of how, when the women went to the tomb, they found it empty and the stone had been rolled away but this time it was two men in ‘bright shining clothes’ who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. He then goes on to tell of how Jesus later appeared to his friends on the road to Emmaus and then to the other disciples. (Luke 24.)
In John’s Gospel we not only have the story of Mary Magdalene, who mistook Jesus for the gardener, but also the story of Thomas who did not believe and how Jesus appeared to his friends in the upper room. Later John tells how Jesus appeared at Lake Tiberius when Peter and the other disciples were fishing. (John 20 and 21.)
All four gospels tell us that Jesus made several appearances before he finally left his earthly existence, but there is also reference to the resurrection in Acts 1 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-7 where Jesus is said to have appeared to over 500 of his followers.
There is no scientific evidence to prove that Jesus rose from the dead, but we know that what took place transformed the friends of Jesus from frightened bewildered mourners into powerful preachers. Indeed, many of them were prepared to die for this belief. We also know that the first qualification required to become an apostle was to have seen the risen Lord and to have been a witness of the resurrection.
Activity
Read the story of the resurrection in John 20:1–18. Discuss the pupils’ own and the views of others about the resurrection accounts and life after death. Consider the differences that a belief in the resurrection would mean for them and for others.
Explore what is happening in the picture. Who are the characters? Where did the artist get his inspiration for his painting?
The picture is based on the story from John’s Gospel where Mary meets the risen Jesus and mistakes Him for the gardener. Titian has painted Jesus holding a gardener’s hoe. It is called ‘Noli me Tangere’ (Do not touch me), Many artists have used further symbolism to try to explain the story of the resurrection.
Explore how the senses have been used in the Painting.
Sight
The veil wrapped around Jesus represents the veil that hides the dead from the living. The town on the right of the picture shows earthly life where people live and work. The sun is rising on the left to show the risen Christ in light, after the darkness of the tomb. Mary kneels at Jesus’ feet in the pose of humility. (The word humility comes from the Latin humus or earth.) It reminds us that Jesus had an earthly existence. Under her left arm is the pot of ointment that she was taking to the tomb to anoint the body. If you look closely you can see the pierced feet of Jesus.Sound
Think about the sounds that would have been heard during the death and resurrection of Jesus. What would the feelings been of those present? Would there have been weeping and the wailing at the foot of the cross? What other sounds might there have been? The nails being hammered into the wood? An earthquake is also said to have happened at the time of Jesus’ death. St. Matthew 27 ‘The earth shook and the rocks were split’ and again at the time of the resurrection in Matthew 28 ‘And suddenly there was a great earthquake’. Imagine what sounds that would have prompted.
Smell
In the story of Epiphany the magi took gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the child Jesus. The gold represents the kingship of Jesus, but the frankincense and myrrh were used for embalming (Matthew 2:1-12). The gospels now tell us how Jesus’ body was anointed with spices and perfume (St. John 19, St. Mark 16, St. Luke 23-24). This was the custom related to embalming and tells us how even at his birth the gifts presented to the baby gave a foretaste of his death. According to Jewish law the women waited until the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) had ended to do this. In Titian’s painting Mary is portrayed holding the ointment used for embalming the body.Touch
Read the story of Thomas in John 21:24-29. Analyse the differences between this story and the story of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus. When Jesus appeared to Mary Magdelene in the garden he said ‘Do not touch me’ whereas when he appeared to the disciples Jesus asked Thomas to touch him and put his fingers into the wounds so that Thomas would stop doubting and have faith.Taste
Think what happens when we cry. Do you think that those present at the crucifixion would have tasted ‘salty tears’? In the resurrection story in both Luke and John’s Gospels, Jesus shares a meal twice with his disciples. Think also about some of the food that is eaten today during the festival of Easter.· Analyse the different accounts and look for all of the opposites and contrasts. For example: No touch as in John story of Mary Magdalene and touch as in Johns story of Thomas. Discuss the actions of a spiritual body as opposed to actions of a physical body.
· Explore different works of art on the resurrection from around the world e.g. Piero della Francesca – Resurrection, Caravaggio – The Road to Emmaus. Consider their similarities, symbolism and differences.
The image above is a native American Indian image of the Resurrected Jesus
· Listen to the words of the hymn, ‘Thine be the Glory’. Write another verse to go with the painting.
The Paschal candle
Many Christian churches use a ‘paschal’ candle to symbolise the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is used in many Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican churches on the Saturday night before Easter Day, or early on Easter morning. The service is called an Easter Vigil and celebrates Christian belief of Jesus life beyond death. Sometimes a paschal candle is decorated with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, which represents the beginning and the end of time. The letters are the beginning and the end of the Greek alphabet. The cross which reminds us that Jesus was crucified and the five nails which are incense grains representing the five wounds in Jesus body made by the nails and the sword. There is also the date of the current year. This shows that Jesus is still present for Christians today.
For Christians the paschal candle symbolises that Christ has been victorious over death. A light entering the darkness. The candle is usually lit from a fire that is made outside the church which remains in darkness. As the priest lights the candle he/she declares ‘The Light of Christ………….’ The candle is then taken in procession into the darkened church and members of the congregation light smaller candles from the large one to symbolise Jesus power over death and darkness.
Food for Easter
Throughout the world different foods are eaten at Easter. In Britain eggs and Simnal cake and Easter Biscuits are favourites.
The Eggs symbolise new life and come originally from the roast egg of the Passover Seder. The Simnal cake has eleven balls of marzipan to represent the eleven disciples left after Judas had hung himself and in some countries
In Italy they eat a ‘Columba’ at Easter. As you can see the cake is made in the shape of a dove.
One other food that is often seen carved into the wooden seats in Parish churches and Cathedrals is the Pomegranate. The open pomegranate revealing the seeds symbolises the resurrection and new life.
Find out about the symbolism of the Easter food around the world.
Plan an Easter meal using some of the international dishes and explain why you have used them.
Assessment activities
· Compare the other gospel accounts of the resurrection and Jesus first appearances: What are the similarities and what are the differences between these accounts?
· Write a newspaper report of the events that took place. Include interviews with the key characters.
Resources:
Inspire-to-learn.co.uk
Art work on resurrection
Cross from different parts of the world
Copy of the Creed
ET - the video
The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe
Story of the Water Bugs and Dragonflies
Inspire
Teaching Christianity Key Stage 2 Lilian Weatherley and Trevor Reader
Inspire
Reflective Learning – Trevor Reader and Lilian Weatherley
for images of Indian Art
www.justfoodnow.com recipes for world food at Easter
Key symbols behind the story
The story of the resurrection is filled with symbolism. First of all, the earthly barriers were swept aside and death defeated.
The Stone
We see the symbols of the stone rolled away, the empty tomb and the grave clothes left behind. This shows that Jesus can overcome all earthly barriers
Angels
There is also the symbolism of the angels sitting by the tomb.
Breaking of the bread.
In both Mark and John’s Gospels Jesus appears and joins the disciples for a meal and is recognised in the symbolic breaking of bread. The word companionship means ‘breaking bread together’. This is especially clear in St Luke’s account of the journey on the road to Emmaus where Jesus is finally recognised by his friends in his breaking of the bread. This action is a key Eucharistic symbol for Christians today.
Fish
In both St Luke 24 v 42 and St John 21 v11 – 13 Jesus is shown to be eating fish with his friends. The fish then became a key Christian symbol and a secret sign for the early Christian Church.