Talking to God

Lesson Overview

Unit: Growing Closer to God
Lesson Number: 3 of 8
Length: 30 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Year Level: Year 1
Curriculum Alignment: New Zealand Curriculum Refresh (Religious Education)

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Learning Intentions

WALT: Identify ways we can talk to God.
Success Criteria: I can name two ways to talk to God.

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Curriculum Links

• Religious Education Strand: Beliefs and Practices
• Level: Level 1 (Year 1–2) of the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh
• Learning Areas:
  • Recognise and express personal feelings and experiences in relation to beliefs and practices.
  • Understand that people express their beliefs in different ways.
• Key Competencies:
  • Managing Self – sharing thoughts confidently in a supportive environment.
  • Relating to Others – working cooperatively during role-play activities.
  • Using Language, Symbols, and Texts – using picture cards to communicate ideas.

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Resources Needed

• Picture cards depicting different ways to talk to God (e.g., prayer, song, silent thought, drawing)
• Simple ‘Talking to God’ booklet templates (for extension)
• Role-play props (optional, e.g., toy microphone, hands folded for prayer)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Visual timetable to organise session flow

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Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation / Support
0-5 minutes	Introduction & WALT	Gather students; introduce the WALT on the board. Use simple language. Ask: “How do you think we can talk to God?”	Use picture cards to introduce vocabulary.
5-12 minutes	Whole Class Discussion & Demonstration	Show picture cards one by one for different ways to talk to God (e.g., prayer, singing, quiet thinking). Explain each briefly.	Use gestures and expressions to aid understanding.
12-20 minutes	Role-Play Activity	Students work in pairs or small groups. Give each group a picture card and role-play their way of talking to God. Example: one student prays, others sing a song. Rotate if time allows.	Support diverse learners by pairing with peers. Provide simple scripts or sentence starters.
20-25 minutes	Share and Reflect	Groups share with the class their way of talking to God. Teacher reinforces vocabulary and acknowledges all contributions.	Use picture cards for students to point or communicate. Encourage all participation.
25-30 minutes	Extension / Booklet Creation (Optional)	For early finishers or advanced learners, distribute ‘Talking to God’ booklet templates. Students draw or write (with support) their favourite way to talk to God.	Provide dyslexia-friendly fonts and templates. Use picture prompts.

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Differentiation

• Role-play: Allows kinaesthetic learners to express understanding through action.
• Picture Cards: Assist students with reading or language difficulties, including dyslexia, through visual cues.
• Verbal prompts and sentence starters: Support ELL and those with limited expressive language.
• Pairing and group work: Encourages peer support and social learning.

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Assessment and Reflection

• Formative assessment through observation during role play and group discussions to gauge understanding.
• Success Criteria Check: Students can name and demonstrate at least two ways to talk to God by the end of the lesson.
• Teacher notes any need for further reinforcement or extension in future lessons.

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Teacher’s Notes

• Maintain a calm and respectful classroom atmosphere emphasising that all ways of talking to God are special.
• Use simple and inclusive language suitable for Year 1 learners.
• Visual scaffolding is critical for engagement and success at this age.

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By following this structure, teachers will confidently deliver a focused, engaging 30-minute Religious Education session that aligns tightly with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, meets diverse learner needs, and nurtures young students’ spiritual development.

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If you would like me to generate detailed worksheet templates or picture card designs to accompany this lesson, please let me know!