Reflecting on Lent

Overview

This 20-minute lesson focuses on helping Year 4-5 students understand the significance of fewer candles, fewer decorations, and no flowers in the church during Lent. The lesson is designed to align with the New Zealand Curriculum, supporting the development of students’ spiritual understanding and values in Religious Education with age-appropriate comprehension and engagement.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand the meaning and symbolism behind the church’s simpler decorations during Lent.
• Reflect on how these changes help people prepare for Easter.
• Identify simple actions we can take to show respect for this special time.

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Curriculum Links

Religious Education:
While not a stand-alone learning area in the NZ Curriculum, RE content is often integrated within Social Sciences and Health & Physical Education focusing on values and beliefs, spirituality, and cultural practices as per school policies. This lesson supports:

• Key Competencies:

  • Relating to others: Explain and respect different cultural and religious practices.
  • Participating and Contributing: Take part in discussions and actions reflecting the Lenten season.

• Values:

  • Respect, Integrity, and Community and Participation.

• Social Sciences Learning Area (Level 2 - Years 4-5):

  • Understand how cultural beliefs and practices shape people’s perceptions and behaviors.

• The Arts (Visual Arts):

  • Recognise how visual elements (like simplicity of decoration) convey meaning in different contexts.

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Success Criteria

• I can explain why the church uses fewer candles and no flowers during Lent.
• I can share a simple action I can do to respect this time.
• I listen respectfully to others' ideas and share my own.

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter task (5 minutes) — "What do you notice?"

• Show a photo/picture of a church decorated normally (with many candles, flowers, bright decorations). Then show a photo of a church during Lent with fewer candles, no flowers, and subdued decorations.
• Ask:
  • What is different between the two pictures?
  • Why do you think the church looks different during Lent?
• Students briefly share ideas using Think-Pair-Share.

2. Mini Explanation & Discussion (7 minutes) — Why simpler decorations?

• Teacher explains in simple terms:
  • Lent is a special time when people prepare for Easter by thinking about being thankful and making good choices.
  • The church puts away some candles, flowers, and decorations to help people feel calm and focus on what Lent means — a time to reflect and grow.
• Use simple visuals (symbols of candle, flower, and cross) on a whiteboard or projector.
• Encourage questions and discussion.

3. Hands-on activity (5 minutes) — Create a "Lent Promise"

• Give each student a card or paper to draw a simple candle or flower outline.
• Ask students to write or draw a small action they can do during Lent, for example:
  • "Be kind to a friend."
  • "Help at home."
  • "Take a quiet moment each day."
• Students can decorate their card simply without lots of supplies (keep it minimal reflecting the Lenten theme).

4. Plenary: Exit Question (3 minutes)

• On sticky notes or mini whiteboards, students answer:
  • "Why do we have fewer decorations and no flowers in the church during Lent?"
  • "What is one thing you will do this Lent?"
• Teacher collects responses or students share aloud.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For students with reading difficulties or dyslexia:

  • Use dyslexia-friendly fonts and large print for all printed materials.
  • Provide oral instructions and allow students to express ideas verbally or through drawing.
  • Use pictorial cues alongside words (e.g., candle icon next to the word "candle").

• For advanced learners:

  • Suggest extension by researching Lent customs around the world or other religious traditions of preparation/reflection.
  • Invite them to share their research in a brief verbal or visual presentation in the next class.

• For English Language Learners:

  • Provide vocabulary cards with simple definitions (e.g., Lent, candle, flower, reflection) illustrated.
  • Pair with more fluent peers for Think-Pair-Share discussions.

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Teacher Notes

• Connect the lesson with students' existing knowledge of Easter and Christian traditions in ways that acknowledge diversity of beliefs in the classroom.
• Emphasise respect and appreciation of differing perspectives and values, aligned with New Zealand Curriculum principles.
• Use calm, reflective classroom tone during explanation and activity to mirror Lent’s spirit.
• Use rich oral language and modelling to support comprehension as suggested by the English curriculum for Years 4-5.

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This simple, respectful lesson plan fosters understanding and reflection suitable for Year 4-5 students, aligned with New Zealand Curriculum essentials including values, key competencies, and inclusive, differentiated teaching approaches.