KS2 Are miracles evidence for Gods existence - Dorsetforyou.com

• Be able to suggest reasons for thedifferent Christian interpretations ofmiracles• Be able to express their own views andthose of others in relation to miracles

Learning Objectives Possible Teaching Activities Learning outcomes Contribution to otherCurriculum AreasPupils should:• Explore the meaning of the termmiracle• Consider different responses tothe miraculous• Reflect on their views of themiraculousWhat is a miracle?• Investigate the differencebetween a magic trick and amiracle.• Perform a simple magic trick – isthis a miracle? Why not?• Ask the question – what is amiracle? Can they come up witha definition?• In groups look at a range ofnewspaper articles describing amiraculous event e.g.www.news.telegraph.co.uk(type in miracles into searchengine)• Pupils are to consider thefollowing questionsPupils should be able to:• Raise and suggest answers toquestions about miracles• Describe the impact thatexperiencing miracles may haveon a person’s lifeLiteracyThinking skills- Do they consider these tobe miracles?- Are there any otherexplanations?- Why would some peopleconsider these to bemiracles- What effect wouldexperiencing thesemiracles have on the

people involved?Pupils should:• Learn about the miracles of Jesussuch as the feeding of the 5000• Reflect on the significance of thequestions that accounts ofmiracles raise for Christians andothers.Was Jesus a miracle worker?• Give out a copy of one of Jesus’miracles e.g. The feeding of thefive thousand (Luke 9:12-17)• Using the Lipman method ofphilosophical discussion, pupilsare to reflect on and discuss thisaccount. This should follow thefollowing format:- Each pupil is to read the accountof this miracle- Each pupil should think of onequestion that the account raises- In their groups, pupils shouldlisten to each other’s question- They should then decide on onequestion to focus on- One pupil should explain theiropinion on this question. Pupilsshould then take it in turns toexplain their own views on thisquestion- They should use the format ‘Iagree/disagree with (name ofprevious pupil) because…- Each student should then decidewhat they think about thisPupils should:• Describe/showunderstanding/explain an accountof one of Jesus miracles• Ask/raise/suggest answers toquestion on issues raise by anaccount of a miracle• Apply/express their own ideas/ toissues connected with miraclesThinking skills

accountPupils should learn about:-• A modern miracle i.e.Lourdes• Contemporary Christianviews on miracles• Reflect on their own reactionsto modern miracles andChristian responses tocontemporary miracles(Active Resources for Christianity 2explains this approach in detail)• What do Christians believe thismiracle shows about Jesus?• What effect would experiencingthis miracle have had on thepeople involved?Why are miracles important toChristians?• Give background informationabout Lourdes (if possible showa video clip)• www.lourdes-france.comincludes a webcam from thegrotto!• Discuss their own views on thisaccount• Explore why miracles areimportant to Christians – whatdifference may they make to aChristian’s life?• Interview a local Christian abouthow they would respond toBiblical and modern miraclesPupils should be able to:-• Describe/showunderstanding/explain an accountof a modern miracle• Describe/showunderstanding/explain ofcontemporary Christianresponses to an account of amodern miracle• Ask/raise/suggest answers toquestion on issues raise by anaccount of a miracle• Apply/express their own ideas/ toissues connected with miraclesOpportunity for spiritual and Culturaldevelopment

Pupils should:-• Consider different responses tothe miraculous• Reflect on their views of themiraculousWhat might miracles show aboutGod?• What might the fact that there aremiracles show about God?• Give pupils a list of adjectives e.g.kind, caring, loving, cruel, unfairetc• Pupils have to choose anadjective that they think bestdescribes a God that performsmiracles. They must justify theirchoices.• Pupils are to write questions thatthey would like to ask God aboutmiracles• Possible hot seat activity forsomeone to try to answer thesequestions on God’s behalfPupils should be able to:• Raise and suggest answers toquestions about miracles• Describe the impact thatexperiencing miracles may haveon a person’s lifeLiteracy

Suggested Assessment Task:Pupils are to produce a radio/TV broadcast about one of Jesus’ miraclesor Lourdes. This broadcast must contain:• A short description of this miracle• An interview with someone who witnessed this miracle and how itaffected their life• An interview with a Christian about what they believe about thismiracle• An interview with a sceptic about what they believe about thismiracle