Our Relationship with God

Lesson Overview

• Unit: Growing Closer to God (Lesson 7 of 8)
• Topic: Importance of Our Relationship with God
• Year level: Year 1
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Class size: 25 students
• Subject: Religious Education (Catholic context)
• WALT (We Are Learning To): Explain why our relationship with God is important in our Catholic story.
• Success Criteria: I can share why my relationship with God matters to me.

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Curriculum Links and Context

This lesson is designed with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh (2024) underpinning the learning approach, especially with a focus on:

• Key Competencies:

  • Relating to others: sharing ideas and listening respectfully.
  • Using language, symbols, and texts: expressing feelings and thoughts about God through oral language and visuals.
  • Managing self: participating with confidence and self-awareness.

• Value Alignment: Encouraging Care and Respect, which are core in Catholic faith education.

• Learning Area: Aligns with Religious Education principles (integrated with English oral language learning strategies as per the curriculum for years 0-6). This supports students to connect their experiences and the Catholic stories which nurture their spiritual identity.

• Literacy supports include the use of simplified texts and rich oral language development, which are key to year 1 student progress in the curriculum【4:0,4:3,10:16†Te Mataiaho English Single Page.pdf】 .

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Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to explain in simple language why their relationship with God is important.
• Students will express their own feelings about their relationship with God.
• Students will engage with Catholic stories that reflect this relationship.
• Students will collaboratively create a visual expression of their thoughts on why God matters.

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Resources Needed

• Selected simplified Catholic stories for shared reading (preferably with visuals, large print, and highlighted key words for dyslexia-friendly access).
• Paper and art supplies for mural (butcher roll paper, coloured markers, stickers).
• Visual aid with key vocabulary words highlighted: God, love, care, friend, important.
• Comfortable seating for circle time.
• Optional: audio recording device for students to express their reflections (extension activity).

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Lesson Plan Breakdown (30 minutes)

1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a calm gathering in a circle.
• WALT explained clearly: "We are learning to explain why our relationship with God is important."
• Brief discussion prompt: "Can you tell me how God makes you feel? Is God your friend?"
• Introduce key vocabulary on a chart/whiteboard – words highlighted for easy recognition.

Differentiation: Use visuals and gestures for key vocabulary; prompt with questions for less confident speakers.

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2. Shared Reading: Catholic Story (10 minutes)

• Read aloud a simple Catholic story that reinforces the relationship with God (e.g., a short story about Jesus’ love or God as a caring friend).
• Use dyslexia-friendly techniques: text with highlighted keywords, slow paced reading, and picture cues.
• Pause to ask simple questions:
  • "What did God do in this story?"
  • "Why do you think this made the people feel happy?"
  • "How do you think God cares for you?"

Differentiation: Reading aloud with support from teaching assistant or peer reading buddies for students with additional needs.

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3. Class Discussion and Sharing (5 minutes)

• Invite students to share their ideas about why their relationship with God matters to them.
• Use 'think-pair-share' method:
  • Think quietly (1 min),
  • Share with a partner (2 min),
  • Share some ideas with class (2 min).
• Teacher models responses using simple sentences and linking to feelings, e.g., "God is important to me because He loves me."

Extension: Invite some students to explain more or use new vocabulary words.

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4. Extension Activity: ‘Why God Matters’ Mural (8 minutes)

• Introduce the mural where children will draw or write (with teacher’s help) one thing they like or feel about God.
• Children contribute simple drawings or words (using the highlighted keywords if possible).
• Use this visual display as a class story of their collective relationship with God.

Differentiation: Children who find writing hard can draw or dictate their ideas to the teacher.

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5. Wrap-Up and Reflection (2 minutes)

• Summarise: "Today we learned why having God as our friend is important."
• Revisit WALT and success criteria:
  • "Can anyone share why their relationship with God matters?"
• Praise participation and kindness.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through listening to student responses during discussion.
• Observation of students' ability to share ideas about God and the mural contributions.
• Assessment aligned with the curriculum’s focus on oral language development, listening, and personal connection in Religious Education.

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Additional Notes for Teachers

• Use gentle and inclusive language respecting all students’ backgrounds while focusing on Catholic perspectives.
• Encourage a safe classroom environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing.
• Reinforce key competencies: MANAGING SELF (engagement), RELATING TO OTHERS (listening, sharing), USING LANGUAGE (expressing ideas).
• Keep language simple and concrete; be patient with pauses or silences as students gather their thoughts.

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This plan offers a scaffolded, engaging, and inclusive approach consistent with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh and Catholic values, aiming to impress teachers who want a practical but creative lesson for young learners.

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If you need further resources or tips for the mural activity or suggested stories, feel free to ask!