Names of Jesus

Overview

This 30-minute activity is Lesson 2 of 3 in the unit "Exploring Jesus' Identity" for Year 2 students in New Zealand. The focus is on deepening students' understanding of Jesus by exploring His different names and what they reveal about His character. Students will create a creative collage incorporating at least five names of Jesus alongside images representing those names, either digitally or physically.

This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh's emphasis on holistic learning, creativity, oral and visual communication, and cultural responsiveness. It integrates Religious Education concepts through arts and literacy while supporting key competencies including thinking, relating to others, and managing self.

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Learning Objectives (Aligned to New Zealand Curriculum Refresh)

• Religious Education: Understand key names and titles of Jesus and their meanings as expressions of His identity and character.
• The Arts (Visual Arts): Use imagination and creativity to communicate ideas visually through collage.
• English: Develop vocabulary related to Jesus' characteristics and practise oral language skills through discussion.
• Key Competencies: Thinking (exploring ideas), Relating to Others (sharing ideas and collaborating), and Managing Self (completing a self-directed creative task).

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Curriculum Links

• Religious Education Learning Area (Year 2): Explore Christian stories and symbols that communicate identity (created in consultation with school’s RE curriculum and general national curriculum principles).
• The Arts - Visual Arts (Levels 1-2): Develop skills to explore ideas and represent their own experiences and understanding through artwork including collage (NZE Curriculum - The Arts).
• English: Vocabulary development, oral storytelling, and sharing ideas clearly (NZE Curriculum - English Years 0-2), .

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Key Competencies Emphasised

• Thinking: Exploring ideas and making connections through names and visual imagery.
• Managing Self: Organising time and materials to complete the collage task.
• Relating to Others: Sharing ideas and collaborating in group discussions.
• Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Creating meaning through words and images.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

Create a visual representation (collage) of different names of Jesus that shows our understanding of his character.

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Success Criteria

• I can include at least five different names of Jesus in my collage.
• I can use pictures and words that show what those names mean about Jesus.
• I can explain why I chose those names and images.
• I can work independently or with help to finish my collage.

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Differentiation for Diverse Learners

• Provide pre-cut images and collage templates for students needing additional support.
• Use word banks with simple explanations for the different names of Jesus.
• Pair students for peer support in discussing ideas before starting their collages.
• Allow oral explanation of collage if writing or spelling is a barrier.

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Options

• Students can choose between creating a physical collage with paper and glue or a digital collage using tablets or computers.
• Provide visual and written word banks to support vocabulary comprehension.
• Allow students to work individually or in pairs/small groups based on their preference and learning styles.
• Use multi-sensory materials (textures, colours) to engage sensory learners.

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Resources

• Word bank of Jesus’ names (e.g. Shepherd, Light of the World, Friend, King, Healer) with simple meanings.
• Pre-cut pictures, magazines, religious symbols, coloured paper, glue sticks.
• Tablets or computers with simple collage apps for digital creation.
• Collage templates.
• Sentence starters for explaining choices (e.g., "I chose this name because...").

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Lesson Flow (30 minutes)

0-5 minutes: Introduction & Discussion (Whole Class)

• Recap last lesson briefly: Who is Jesus?
• Introduce today’s task: We will explore different names of Jesus and what they tell us about Him.
• Show examples of names of Jesus with pictures and explain their meaning simply.
• Engage students by asking: “What names do you know for Jesus? What do they make you think about Him?”

5-7 minutes: Planning Collage (Paired/Small Group)

• Distribute word banks and images/templates.
• In pairs or small groups, students select five names that they think are important.
• Encourage students to discuss why they chose those names.

7-25 minutes: Create Collage (Individual or pairs, choice of digital or physical)

• Students create their collages using the names and images.
• Teacher circulates, providing support, encouragement, and questioning to deepen thinking.
• Provide additional support/materials for those who require it.
• Opportunity for fast finishers to begin writing a short poem about one of the names (extension).

25-30 minutes: Sharing and Reflection (Whole Class or small groups)

• Invite some students to share their collage and describe why they chose their names and images.
• Fast finishers can write a short reflection: “How can the names of Jesus influence the way we act?”
• Reinforce understanding by summarising key ideas about Jesus' character revealed through His names.

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Extension Activities (For advanced learners)

• Write a short poem or couplet about one selected name of Jesus.
• Research an additional name of Jesus not in the provided list and add it to the collage.
• Create a short oral presentation explaining their collage to the class or a smaller peer group.

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Fast Finisher Activities

• Write a reflection on how the names of Jesus can influence our actions.
• Draw an additional picture or symbol representing a name not included.
• Create a simple story or sentence sequence using one or more of the names.

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Notes for the Teacher

• Emphasise respectful listening and valuing others’ ideas during sharing.
• For your South Auckland intermediate context, encourage culturally responsive connections where possible by inviting students to relate the idea of names and identity to those important in their own cultures.
• Use flexible grouping: whole class discussion, then pairs or individual work to accommodate different learning needs and foster collaboration.
• Encourage creativity and personal expression, allowing digital tools for those more comfortable with that mode.

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This lesson integrates essential components of the New Zealand Curriculum, including the arts and English, as they develop students’ understanding of religious concepts, vocabulary, and creative skills, aligned with year 2 learning expectations and key competencies.

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Please let me know if you want me to prepare related worksheets or digital resource templates for the collage creation or poem writing activity!