Dolphin Class – RE Lesson Plan – Sikhism
Lesson 1 – Symbols and Religious ExpressionLI: To understand how the Sikh religion was founded
To recognise some Sikh symbols / Explain that this term we are going to be learning about the Sikh religion. Have children heard about this religion before. With TP discuss what you already know.
Show powerpoint up to slide 3. Explain that Sikhism founded about 500 years ago in Punjab region in North West India.
Show where India is on the globe in relation to UK.
It is the youngest religion in the world.
Slide 4: This particular area in India is very fertile due to five rivers and farming is the main industry. Historically the area was Hindu but Muslims invaded trying to spread their religion. From the battle between the two main religions the new religion: Sikhism, was founded.
Slide 5: It was founded by a teacher called Guru Nanak. He firmly believed that all peole were born equal and should have equal opportunities. He was the first Sikh Guru.
What is a GURU? Look up in dictionary with rest of class. Ascertain that Guru is a spiritual leader and he guides people in the way of God’s will believing there was one God.
There are over 20 million Sikhs worldwide and anyone can become a Sikh. About half a million live in Britain.
Mini plenary: Have a quick quiz between the table groups to recap on what learnt so far.
Nominate a scribe for each table and all children to contribute to team answers.
How long ago was Sikhism founded?
Which country was it founded?
Can you remember the name of the region in India?
Why was this region good for farming?
Which two other religions were fighting all the time in this area?
Who started the new religion of Sikhism?
What does Guru mean?
How many Sikhs live in Britain?
Go through answers, which table got the most etc…
Look at the next slide with the Hogwarts logo on. Anyone recognise it? Look at it closely what does it show? The four houses at Hogwarts.
Crests are symbolic and sometimes have hidden meanings. Refer back to the White House crest which should have been discussed in assembly.
Show the next slide with the symbol of the Sikh faith. It is called the Khanda it is made up of three symbols:
The Khanda – the double edged sword which represents the supreme truth that there is one God.
The Chakra – The Circle. It represents the infiniteness of one God. Never ends. No beginning and no end.
The Kirpans – The two swords symbolising spiritual and political power. They remind Sikhs to defend the truth.
Put together they make the symbol of the Sikh faith that can be seen in many places in Sikhs lives. Show short video clip about a Sikh community preparing for a celebration called a Vaisakhi.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/explanation-of-kanda-and-khalsa/4806.html
Activity:
SN/LA: Children to cut out the three elements that make up the Khanda symbol and stick together in the complete symbol. Match the statement of the meaning to each component.
MA/HA: Children to cut out the three elements that make up the Khanda symbol and stick together in complete symbol. Children to write own sentence about the meaning of of component.
Ext: Children to design their own symbol. List three things that are important about you. Ie) Family, Brownies, swimming, Helpful etc. Design three simple symbols that show each that could be fitted together to make one symbol.
Plenary / Resources
Powerpoint file
Globe
Dictionary
Miniwhiteboards and pens
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/explanation-of-kanda-and-khalsa/4806.html
Sheets with three symbols to cut out
Glue sticks
Recording sheets to stick complete symbol onto
Matching or sentence activity for differentiation.
Ext: Sheet for designing own symbol.
Lesson 2: The Story of the Khalsa
LI: to identify the 5 Ks and explain their significance.
Key words
Persecution, sacrifice, Amrit, Singh, Kaur, The Kesh, The Kangha, The Kara, The Kirpan and The Kaccha / Recap the Khanda from last lesson: what can they remember about it?
The Story of the Khalsa
The tenth Sikh Guru (Guru means teacher or master), Guru Gobind Singh, began to realise that the Sikh community could die out under the Mughal persecution. On Baisakhi day in 1699 he called all members of the Sikh community together in a town called Anandpur.
Baisakhi is held on 13th April and it was the harvest time.
Upon arrival his followers found him standing outside a tent with a sword. He asked for volunteers who were prepared to die for their faith.
Watch the video clip below which tells the story of what happened next and how the Sikh Khalsa was formed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/origins-of-the-khalsa/672.html
As you saw, Gobind Rai said that these five men would become the Panj Piaray or the Five Beloved Ones. They were dressed in the yellow robes of holy men. They were to be the first members of a new Sikh family known as the Khalsa or pure ones.
All men who joined the Khalsa would add the name Singh or lion to their names and all women entering the Khalsa would be called Kaur or princess.
Sikhs of both sexes who are more than 14 years old can choose to join the Khalsa. When they do there is a special initiation ceremony called ‘Amrit’ which is led by five outstanding members of the community and who represent the ‘Beloved Five’.
Sikhs who have been through the Amrit Ceremony of initiation, or Amrit Sanskar, become baptised Sikhs, take new names and wear the 5Ks.
Guru Gobind Singh told the original Sikh brotherhood that they should wear 5 symbolic items of dress.
Now look at the pictures on IWB. They show what Sikhs call the 5 Ks of the Khalsa. Read the descriptions and ask children if they can match the labels to the pictures:
The Kesh – The long hair - showing obedience to the will of God by not interfering with nature.
The Kangha – The wooden comb – showing that long hair must be kept clean and tidy.
The Kara – A bangle – The steel bracelet. The circle representing eternity and the steel strength to fight for God.
The Kirpan – The sword – To remind Sikhs that they must fight for truth and defend the weak and oppressed.
The Kaccha – Short underpants – The white shorts symbolise purity and were practical when fighting.
Pupil Activity: To match pictures of the 5 Ks to their names and their descriptions.
SN: cutting and sticking descriptions on
LA/MA: copying descriptions
HA: writing own descriptions, to show their understanding of their meanings.
· If some MA children are keen to do HA activity, then allow them to challenge themselves! If any LA children appear to be struggling, let them do the SN activity.
Watch the video clip below which explains how the 5Ks are worn.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-five-ks-of-sikhism/4805.html
If you look at 5 members of the Sikh community on IWB you will see that they are all wearing Turbans. Turbans are not one of the 5Ks but they are worn to keep the long hair neat and tidy. Young boys cover their hair with a small cloth called a ‘patka’ like the young boy in the video.
Plenary
What have you learnt from today’s lesson? Do you have any questions? Would you like to find out more about something? / Resources
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/origins-of-the-khalsa/672.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-five-ks-of-sikhism/4805.html
Lesson 3 – The Gurdwara
LI: To know where Sikhs worship
To know the features of the Gurdwara
Keywords:
Sikh, Guru, Guru Granth Sahib, Nishan Sahib, Khanda, Gurdwara, Chauri, Palki, Langar / Following on from the last RE Lesson (2 weeks ago) check the children remember what a Guru is. Why are Guru’s important to the Sikh religion?
Use the comprehensive powerpoint file to support this lesson.
Explain LI.
Show picture of a Gurdwara. What do the children think about it? What does it remind them of? Explain that there are many Gurdwaras across the world – they don’t all look as impressive as this one, but they all have the same key features.
Slide 3: The flagpole. Look closely at the picture of the flag. Do the children recognise the emblem? The Khanda (they considered the symbolism of this in lesson 1 this term). The flag is called the Nishan Sahib and it is the Sikh flag. It is flown from a flagpole outside a Gurdwara.
Slide 4: The word Gurdwara means Guru’s gate or door and they believe they go through the door to meet God. Everyone is welcome and a Gurdwara has four doors – one each side of the building to the north, south, east and west so everyone can enter.
Slide 5: self explanatory
Slide 6: The most holy object in the Gurdwara is the Sikh’s holy book – The Guru Granth Sahib. It is a collection of teachings and writings by Guru Nanak and other Gurus. It is always 1,430 pages long and written in special script. It is treated with the same respect and care that a human Guru would be given. No-one must touch it with unwashed hands and at the end of a service it is taken from the dais and carried on the head to signify that it is above all.
Slide 7: The Guru Granth Sahib is kept in a room of its own during the night and carried in procession to the main prayer hall at the start of the day’s worship.
Slide 8: During the day the Guru Granth Sahib is placed in the prayer hall and put on a raised platform under a canopy (Palki). It is covered with an beautiful expensive cloth when it is not being read.
Slide 9: The Chauri is a ceremonial whisk which is made from the tail hair of a white horse or yak and set in a wooden or silver handle. It is a traditional Indian symbol of authority and Hindu gods are often shown being fanned with a chauri. It is used as a sign of respect for the authority of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Slide 10,11,12 are all self explanatory.
Slide 13: The Langar. Volunteers from the Sikh community take it in turns to create a vegetarian meal for anyone who would like it. It is simple food and anyone may share it, sitting on the floor of a designated eating area.
Show short BBC class clips video:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/3777.html
Mini Plenary. Lots of new information has been given to the children, so give them a chance to show what they have remembered by each table having a series of cut out pictures and labels. They have to decide between them which picture goes with each label (quick activity, no cutting or sticking required!)
Returning to the powerpoint, explain to children that other rooms are needed in a Gurdwara and then show an example ground floor plan. Explain it and talk through the fact that it is a ‘bird’s eye view’.
Explain that the children now have a challenge. In their home table groups they will be designing a new Gurdwara. Handout design sheets and design briefs (these are the success criteria) to each table. Please stress the importance of HIGH QUALITY WORK THAT THEY TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE AND CARE OVER!
Each group will have:
· Team Leader: helps eveyone out, ensure team on time. Help where needed, remember to label the designs.
· Designers for the ground floor layout: design the layout of the Gurdwara, place the doors, decide which rooms go where and decide on the the colour scheme for the Gurdwara. Show where the flagpole will go outside and put some car parking outside. Label it all.
· Palki Designer: design the platform and canopy for the Guru Granth Sahib. Label it.
· Cloth Designer: design the cloth that the Guru Granth Sahib is wrapped in and create it using coloured pencils.
If you finish your task before time is up help the other people in your group.
Plenary: Select group(s) to show and explain their designs as time allows. / Resources:
Powerpoint file
BBC class clips video
Pictures and Labels matching activity
Design brief – your design must include:
Flagpole, carparking outside building, shoe room, langar, prayer hall (show where the platform and canopy will be), night room,toilets, four doors to enter the building
A3 sheets for ground floor plans
A4 sheets for canopy and cloth designs
Rulers, coloured pencils.
Lesson 4
Possibly do more detail about the Langar (see end of East Sussex Gurdwara plan)
Use bbc learning clips 4837 – animated story of why simple food is shared.
Possibly make the Karah Parshad recipe (didn’t talk about this at all in lesson 3)