Reflecting on Influence

Context

• Unit: Exploring Jesus' Identity (Lesson 3 of 3)
• Year level: Year 2
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Class Size: 20 students
• Location: South Auckland intermediate school
• Curriculum framework: New Zealand Curriculum Refresh – Religious Education, aligned with values, principles, and key competencies
• Teacher preferences: varied activities, group work, interactive

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Learning Objectives

WALT: Reflect on the impact of Jesus' identity on our lives.
Success Criteria:

• Students can articulate how one name of Jesus influences their personal values.
• Students can share personal connections verbally or through other modes.

Links to New Zealand Curriculum (NZC)

• Principles: Inclusive education; High expectations; Treaty of Waitangi
• Values: Integrity, Community and participation, Diversity, Excellence
• Key Competencies:
  • Relating to others (sharing ideas, listening)
  • Managing self (self-awareness of values)
  • Participating and contributing (group discussion)
• Learning Area: Religious Education (local context, exploring values and identity) and English (oral language development, storytelling)

These align with NZC foundations that encourage students to explore values and worldviews, express themselves, and relate to others in meaningful ways.

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Lesson Outline (30 minutes)

Time	Activity Description	Purpose & Notes
5 min	Warm-Up & Introduction: Recap previous lessons on Jesus’ identity briefly using simple language and images. Introduce the focus question: "How does Jesus' name influence us?"	Activate prior knowledge, engage curiosity, set lesson context
10 min	Group Discussion: In groups of 4-5, discuss:

• One name of Jesus they remember (e.g., ‘Friend’, ‘Teacher’, ‘Helper’)
• What that name means to them
• How it makes them want to act at home or school | Builds oral language, personal connection, cooperative learning. Use visual aids + sentence starters to scaffold language, e.g., “I think Jesus is called ____ because...” | | 7 min | Sharing & Reflection: Each group shares one key idea with the class. Teacher prompts with sentence starters displayed (“One way Jesus' name helps me is...”) | Encourages verbal articulation, active listening, community sharing. | | 5 min | Extension – Skit Preparation: Invite interested students or groups to prepare a short skit showing how Jesus’ teaching or name can influence kind actions (e.g., helping a friend). Others may choose to draw or write a reflection instead. | Deepens understanding by role-play; supports varied expression modes (UDL). | | 3 min | Fast Finisher Activity: Students who finish early design a ‘Values Wheel’ with segments naming values inspired by Jesus’ teachings (e.g., kindness, sharing, honesty). Can be drawn or written. | Continues engagement, reinforces learning creatively. |

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Differentiation & Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

• Sentence Starters: Display and provide printed cards with simple sentence stems (e.g., “Jesus is called ____. This means ____. I feel ____.”) to support students with verbal expression difficulties.
• Multiple Modes: Students may choose to articulate ideas orally, through drawing, or writing their reflections.
• Groupings: Flexible groups to support social learners or those who need peer modeling.
• Visual Aids: Use simple icons or pictures representing Jesus' names and values.
• Teacher Support: Circulate to prompt, scaffold, and support students needing extra help during group work.
• Fast Finishers: Opportunity for creative self-expression (Values Wheel) that extends thinking.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observation and notes during group discussions and sharing – record ability to express one way Jesus' name influences their values or actions.
• Success Criteria: Students clearly state a name of Jesus and give a simple explanation linked to their personal values or actions (verbally or in another mode).
• Teacher feedback: Positive reinforcement and scaffolding during and after activities.

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Resources Needed

• Visual flashcards with names/titles of Jesus (e.g., Friend, Teacher, Helper)
• Sentence starter cards
• Paper, colored pencils/crayons for Values Wheel and drawing reflections
• Space for small groups and skit presentations

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Summary Reflection for Teachers

This lesson is designed to combine reflection, oral language development, and value exploration in ways age-appropriate for Year 2 students. It incorporates cooperative learning and multiple modes of expression respecting diverse learning needs and cultural backgrounds typical of South Auckland contexts. The fast finisher and extension activities keep all learners engaged. The lesson fosters empathy, critical thinking about identity, and personal connection to Jesus' teachings as relevant to students’ community participation, consistent with the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum principles, values, and competencies.

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If you need a printable lesson plan format or elaboration of resources, please ask!

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References:

• New Zealand Curriculum Refresh - Values, Principles, Key Competencies (all Year Levels)
• Religious Education focus on values and identity (teacher briefs)
• English oral language and group discussion strategies (Te Mātaiaho English Years 0-6)