Year 9 RE at STM

This week, we are learning about Islam. In Monday’s lesson we will learn about the Five Pillars of Islam (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj). You have a choice of homework this week.

EITHER:
Research Islam using library books, people and the internet. Try to find out ten new facts that you did not know already. How can you find out if these facts are true and accurate? Also add your own impression of Islam, based on what you have found out so far. “I think Islam is … because … ” or “I think Muslims are … because … ” Remember to give evidence for your opinion!

OR
Make a poster showing your own “Five Pillars” for your life. What are the five things that help you to live a good life, or help support your belief in God?

Hand in on Friday 27 November.

This whole topic is about Big Questions, and you have thought about a few of them so far. This week, I would like you to make a Big Question for display. Take one large question mark, and inside, write the biggest, most important, most pressing, question you can think of. I wonder if I can answer it? Or if anyone else will be able to answer it? Colour your big question mark in on both sides so we can hang them from the ceiling.

This week, I want you to put on your inventor’s hat! I want you to design a machine.

First of all, you will need to think what the purpose of your machine should be. For example, is it a machine that will do your homework for you? Or one that will get you out of bed in the morning? Or one that will remember everything you have ever learnt? Or one that will play football?

You might want to think of some of the crazy machines invented by Wallace and Grommit!

Next, you have to design the machine, so that it is clear how it will achieve its purpose. For example, a machine to get you out of bed in the morning might have an alarm clock connected to a bucket of cold water that is balanced above your bed, which is then attached to a lever that will tip you out of bed and into your school uniform.

Label the key parts – how does each feature link and help to achieve the purpose of the machine?

I look forward to seeing your imaginative designs!

We have started the topic “The Spiritual Quest”. In our first lesson we will be planning our title page. Your homework is to finish this title page!

To help you, here are the Aims of this unit.

1) What are the Big Questions we have?
2) Why do some people believe that there is a God?
3) Is God a good designer?
4) What is free will?
5) What about other religions?
6) What are the similarities and the differences between Christianity and Islam?
7) What are the Five Pillars of Islam, and what can we learn from them?
Why does a good God allow suffering?
9) What is the purpose of life? Why are we here?
10) What happens when we die?

I hope this has given you some ideas – I will now add a link to some previous good examples of title pages on this topic!

It’s always good to reflect on the term just passed, and to look forward to the term to come.

My main concern during the term just passed is that I haven’t always given you the best homework, it has sometimes been rushed, and I haven’t always managed to post it on here! So my new term resolution is to post your homework on here so that you can get it all done!

Look here on a regular basis – hopefully by Sunday morning – to see what your homework is for that week! We are covering some Big Questions this half term – I hope you enjoy them!