Family Reflections Share

Context

• Class: Year 0-1 (age approx. 5-6 years)
• Subject: Religious Education
• Unit: One Family, Many Faces (Lesson 20 of 20)
• Lesson Title: Unit Reflection and Sharing
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Class Size: 20 students
• Curriculum: Based on New Zealand Curriculum Refresh. Focus on spiritual and community awareness, identity, belonging, and communication.

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Learning Objectives (WALT - We Are Learning To)

• WALT: Reflect on what it means to belong to God’s big family and share our learning with others.
• Understand that we are all part of one big family with many faces.
• Express what we have learned about kindness, sharing, and belonging.
• Listen to and respect others’ stories and ideas.

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Success Criteria

• I can tell or show something I learned about God's family.
• I can listen carefully when others share their ideas.
• I can use kind words and actions to show I care about my classmates.
• I can take turns when sharing and respond with a smile or a question.

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Curriculum Links and Competencies

Religious Education (Refreshed NZ Curriculum)

• Spiritual Growth: Recognising a sense of belonging within God's family as a spiritual community.
• Community Participation: Engaging in sharing stories and listening respectfully.
• Key Competencies:
  • Relating to Others: Respect, empathy, sharing ideas.
  • Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Communicating ideas clearly through talk, drawing, or role-play.
  • Participating and Contributing: Taking turns and contributing to group sharing.

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Lesson Outline & Timing

Time	Activity	Description	Resources
5 min	Welcome & WALT Discussion	Gather students sitting in a circle. Teacher explains WALT in clear kid-friendly language.	Visual WALT chart, family picture
10 min	Reflection Sharing Circle	Each student shares one thing they learned about being part of God’s family.	Talking stick or soft toy for turns
7 min	Creative Expression Time	Children draw or create a simple symbol representing God's family (e.g., heart, circle).	Paper, crayons, stickers
5 min	Partner Sharing	Students partner up and show their drawing, telling their partner what it means to them.	Their drawings
3 min	Whole Class Sharing & Closing	Selected partners briefly share with class. Teacher summarises kindness and belonging.	Display of drawings on wall

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Detailed Activity Description

1. Welcome & WALT (5 min)

• Sit in a circle and briefly revisit what the unit "One Family, Many Faces" was about.
• Teacher says: "Today we are learning to think about God's big family and share what we have learnt."
• Display the WALT chart: We Are Learning To reflect and share our thoughts about being in one big family.

2. Reflection Sharing Circle (10 min)

• Use a talking stick or soft toy to facilitate turn-taking.
• Prompt children with simple questions:
  • "What did you like most about our family stories?"
  • "How can we be kind to others like in God’s family?"
• Encourage short sentences or simple words.
• Teacher models one example first.

3. Creative Expression Time (7 min)

• Children use paper and crayons to draw something that reminds them of God's family (e.g. a big circle with lots of people, hearts, houses, etc.).
• Teacher encourages freedom of expression while gently assisting those needing help.
• Option: Use stickers or stamps to decorate.

4. Partner Sharing (5 min)

• Pair students and have them share their pictures and explain what they drew.
• Encourage listening skills with prompts like "Can you tell me about your drawing?" and "What do you like about it?"

5. Whole Class Sharing & Closing (3 min)

• Invite a few pairs to share with the whole class what they talked about.
• Teacher summarises with a brief message reinforcing belonging and kindness.
• Display their drawings on a classroom wall or bulletin board titled Our Big Family.

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Assessment

• Formative:

  • Observation of children’s engagement during sharing circle.
  • Listening for use of key vocabulary such as "family," "kind," "share," "belong."
  • Noting turn-taking and respect shown in discussions.
  • Creative work reviewed for ability to symbolise understanding.

• Self-assessment:

  • Informal through success criteria discussion: "Did you share? Did you listen to your friends?"

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Teaching Considerations

• Use simple, clear language appropriate for Year 0-1 students.
• Encourage inclusivity by recognising diverse family structures.
• Reinforce positive social behaviour and emotional safety.
• Provide multiple modes for expression (talking, drawing, listening).
• Be mindful of cultural diversity and ensure respect for all backgrounds.

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Resources Needed

• Visual WALT sign with simple symbols
• Talking stick or soft toy for sharing turn
• Large paper sheets, crayons, stickers
• Wall or board space for display

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This lesson plan is crafted to closely align with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh's emphasis on holistic development, communication skills, and relational competencies, fostering a warm, inclusive classroom environment where young learners appreciate belonging and contribution within their wider community spirit.