Living Like Jesus

Year 0-1, Religious Education

Duration: 30 minutes
Class size: 19 students

---

WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Understand what it means to be a Catholic today.
• Learn how to follow Jesus and live like Him.
• Take part in the Sacraments.
• Care for others and make kind, fair choices.
• Be people of hope and joy.

---

Curriculum Alignment

This lesson is designed in alignment with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh and embodies key values and competencies that foster holistic development for students in years 0-1:

• Key Competencies:

  • Relating to others: demonstrating kindness and fairness.
  • Participating and contributing: engaging in community-like sacramental activities.
  • Managing self: recognising own feelings of hope and joy; making good choices.
  • Using language, symbols, and texts: expressing understanding about Jesus and sacraments through story and art.

• Values:

  • Respect, Caring, and Community and Participation for the common good — representing Catholic values and the mission to care and share with others.

• Learning Area:
  This sits within a religious education framework, strengthened by links to Health and Physical Education (well-being), English (oral language development), and The Arts (creative expression), in concordance with the cross-curricular ethos of the NZ Curriculum Refresh .

---

Success Criteria

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

• Identify simple ways that Catholics follow Jesus.
• Name one or two sacraments and explain that these are special moments to celebrate with God.
• Show kindness in role-play scenarios.
• Express hope and joy through a simple song or artwork.

---

Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description	Resources	Curriculum Focus
0-5 min	Welcome & WALT Introduction	Gather students sitting in a circle. Share the WALT in simple language, e.g., “Today we will learn how to live like Jesus and care for others.”	Visual WALT chart with symbols for Jesus, kindness, sacraments, hope, joy.	Oral language, managing self
5-12 min	Story Time: Following Jesus	Teacher reads aloud a simple story about Jesus’ kindness (e.g., Jesus helping others, sharing, caring). Use pictures and interactive questioning to engage. Prompt with questions like “How did Jesus help?” “What can we do to be like Jesus?”	Picture storybook about Jesus (age-appropriate), large pictures for visuals.	Using language; Relating to others
12-18 min	Sacraments Introduction & Role Play	Briefly explain sacraments as special celebrations with God (focus on baptism and communion). Show symbols (water cup for baptism, bread for communion). Students take turns doing a simple role play “welcoming a friend” or “sharing” to practise being part of these special moments.	Small cup of water, bread piece, simple props for role play.	Participating and contributing; Using symbols and texts
18-25 min	Caring and Kind Choices	Interactive activity where teacher presents scenarios (e.g., sharing toys, helping a friend). Students decide what the kind, fair choice is. Reinforce caring with a group chant or action song about kindness.	Scenario cards, song (CD or live singing).	Relating to others; Managing self
25-29 min	Hope and Joy through Art	Students create a simple drawing or painting showing something that makes them feel hopeful or joyful (e.g., a smiling face, sunshine). Teacher and peers provide positive feedback to build confidence.	Drawing paper, crayons or paints.	Using language, symbols and texts; Managing self
29-30 min	Reflection & Closing Prayer	Gather students again, invite them to share one thing they learned or liked. End with a short, simple prayer focusing on being kind, hopeful, and joyful like Jesus.	None	Relating to others; Participating and contributing

---

Teaching Notes

• Use clear, simple language and positive reinforcement given students’ developmental stage (years 0-1).
• Use visual aids and hands-on activities for engagement and comprehension.
• Ensure all students are included and adapt tasks for differing needs.
• Make links to the community and family, reflecting the principle of Community Engagement from the NZ Curriculum Refresh.
• Emphasise kindness and joy as living expressions of following Jesus today, connecting to local cultural values such as manaakitanga (hospitality and care) to support bicultural understanding.

---

This lesson framework ensures a balanced approach, integrating religious knowledge with personal and social skills development consistent with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh's principles and key competencies .

If required, further lessons can build on these foundations by exploring specific sacraments in deeper ritual and meaning, stories from the Bible, and community service activities adapted for this age group.