Inspirational AST and RE specialist Georgina Mulhall, who believes that RE is best taught by concept rather than by religion, teaches three lessons exploring devotion.
Year 4 pupils get to role play as archaeologists speculating about Hindu artefacts, and then go into role as devotees worshipping in a Hindu temple, and finally they apply the concept of devotion to their own lives.
It's fun and inclusive, and with no right or wrong it encourages higher-order thinking. As RE is culturally sensitive and subjective, Georgina believes it's often side-lined.
She sums up the values of a creative, concept-driven approach and advises on how to use role-play with confidence.
Useful websites
Teachernet: Religious Education
A good starting point for guidance and resources for the teaching of religious education
The National Association of Teachers of Religious Education
A site containing a wide variety of resources relating to religious education
The National Association of Teachers of Religious Education
A site containing a wide variety of resources relating to religious education
The Religious Education Council of England and Wales
Information on the RE Action Plan being implemented by DCSF which is designed to strengthen the attention given to religions and beliefs in schools
