Free learning resources from arts, cultural and heritage organisations.

Teachers' notes

Resource provided by Leeds Museums and Galleries.

Lots of different communities make Leeds their home. We are a city that welcomes people. In this learning story are a few people who have made Leeds their home talking about their faiths, traditions and cultures. This learning story includes links to some films around broad aspects of faith (different places and acts of worship, community, and spirituality), and some films around specific faiths.

 

Small stone carved with the Buddhist mantra Om Mani Padme Hum
Stone carved with the buddhist mantra Om Mani Padme Hum

There are many more stories that could be told. Use these stories as a springboard to tell your own, reflect on communities, make it personal and relevant for your pupils.

 

A Global View

The films in this Learning Story were made in 2009. Also in this year, Barak Obama became the first black President of America and Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir became the first female Prime Minister of Iceland, as well as the world's first openly gay Head of Government. Many countries around the world, such as the UK, Mexico, Thailand and South Africa, fell into recession as part of the global financial crisis which began the previous year.

 

Curriculum links

  • Key Stage 1 and 2: History
  • Key Stage 1 and 2:  Literacy
  • Key Stage 1 and 2:  Religious Studies


Activity Ideas

As a lesson starter, listen to or watch one of the broad, interfaith films. Use this as springboard to open up a discussion or topic about your local community. Questions you could ask include:

 

Early Years

  • Use the festivals and events film to talk about how different celebrations happen and why they are special. 
  • You may wish to use celebratory food to talk about different cultures. Go to the Leeds Museums and Galleries You Tube channel and search for Food for Thought for different food related celebrations, cultures and traditions.

KS1

  • What do the pupils families in the room believe? (You are likely to have an indication of this already!) 
  • Is faith talked about at home? 
  • Do pupils go to the Temple, Church, Mosque or other place of faith regularly? 
  • What does that involve? 
  • What does it mean to be part of that community? 
  • How are different faith practices similar or different? 

 

KS2

  • Do you have to have a religion to have a faith? 
  • What do people believe happens when you die (afterlife film)?
  • As part of a longer topic, use the films as part of your teaching on specific faiths. Support this with object based learning, with objects from different faiths in your classroom, and contact local faith leaders (or ask parents) to come into school and talk to the pupils about faith broadly, or their personal faith.
  • Visit a local place of worship. Most places are open to children coming to explore and find out more, just call and ask!
  • Visit Kirkstall Abbey to find out how the architecture of the building supported the monks Christian faith. This is also supported with a range of Museum-led workshops and self-led resources.