Who Is Jesus?

Overview

In this 30-minute Religious Education session for Year 2 students in New Zealand, learners will explore who Jesus is through storytelling and interactive discussion, connecting with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh's emphasis on oral language, cultural understanding, and collaborative learning. The lesson will help students identify key names for Jesus, understand their meanings, and appreciate how these names describe His identity. The teaching approach includes varied activities, group work, and multimedia supports, suitable for a South Auckland intermediate school setting.

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Learning Objectives (Aligned to NZC Refresh)

WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Understand who Jesus is and the significance of His names.

Success Criteria:

• Identify at least three names for Jesus.
• Explain what each name means and how it reflects Jesus' character.

Curriculum Links:

• Religious Education Learning Area: Developing understanding of Christian narratives and key figures, exploring meanings and significance.
• English (Phase 1, Years 0-3): Using oral language skills to express ideas, participate in group discussions, and understand storytelling as a basis for shared experience and cultural insight.
• Key Competencies:
  • Thinking — making sense of stories and names.
  • Relating to others — participating in group discussion.
  • Using language, symbols, and texts — listening to storytelling, recognising key words/names.
  • Managing self — engaging respectfully and completing extension or finishing activities.

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Resources

• Storybook or multimedia story video about Jesus (simplified and visual).
• Visual aids: Pictures or flashcards of names for Jesus (e.g., Jesus, Christ, Saviour) with simple meanings.
• Whiteboard or chart paper for group brainstorming.
• Drawing/writing materials for fast finisher activity.
• Simplified text versions and bilingual supports for ELL students.

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Lesson Flow

Time	Activity	Details	Differentiation & UDL
0-5 min	Introduction & Set Context

• Begin with a warm welcome and introduce the lesson’s WALT and success criteria.
• Show a colourful picture of Jesus or simple visual (age-appropriate).
• Ask: "Who have you heard of called Jesus?" to activate prior knowledge. |
  Provide sentence starters and visual clues for ELL learners.
  Use clear, simple language. | | 5-12 min | Storytelling: Life of Jesus |
• Share a simple story of Jesus' life (use picture book or animated video).
• Emphasise characteristics: kind, caring, leader, helper.
• Pause to highlight different names used in the story (Jesus, Christ, Saviour). |
  Use multimedia to engage diverse learners — auditory, visual.
  Use large print and visuals for those needing extra support. | | 12-18 min | Group Discussion: The Names of Jesus |
• Display names on flashcards.
• As a class, discuss what each name might mean (e.g., Jesus = 'God saves', Christ = 'Anointed one').
• Encourage students to share ideas about what these names tell us about Jesus' character.
• Record ideas on whiteboard/chart. |
  Encourage ELL students with vocabulary prompts and paired talk.
  Use think-pair-share strategy to support all learners. | | 18-25 min | Interactive Activity: Create a Name Poster |
• In small groups or pairs, choose one name for Jesus to illustrate on paper.
• Add simple words/descriptions about what the name means.
• Groups share posters with the class. |
  Provide sentence frames (e.g., "Jesus means...") for writing support.
  Use drawing as an alternative to writing if needed. | | 25-30 min | Reflection & Fast Finisher Extension |
• Recap names learned with group answering questions.
• Fast finishers: Create a mini-poster of a name for Jesus, decorated with images.
• Extension challenge: Research (with family or at home) a new name for Jesus not covered in class and bring back to share. |
  Digital resources could be provided for extension learners.
  Print or digital options for the fast finisher task to cater to preferences. |

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Assessment

• Observe students during the discussion and group work to see if they can identify and explain at least three names for Jesus.
• Collect students’ illustrated name posters to check understanding of the meanings.
• Use formative questioning (What does this name tell us about Jesus?) during activities.

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Differentiation

• For English Language Learners (ELLs): Use visuals, simplify language, provide sentence starters, and pair with fluent peers for discussion.
• For diverse learners: Kinaesthetic activities such as drawing; simplify texts; small group support during discussion.
• Extension learners: Research an additional name for Jesus and prepare a short presentation or visual share at home.

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

• Provide multiple means of representation: oral storytelling, visuals, written words.
• Provide multiple means of engagement: group work, individual creative tasks, discussion.
• Provide multiple means of expression: drawing, speaking, writing, presenting posters.

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Reflection for Teacher

• How engaged were the students with the story and discussion?
• Did students express the meanings of Jesus’ names in their own words?
• Consider varied forms of storytelling for future lessons.
• Note bilingual supports or additional scaffolding needed.

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This lesson is carefully designed to meet the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh’s focus on collaborative learning, cultural understanding, and developing oral language skills in early years while drawing from rich storytelling practices. It supports South Auckland learners through multiple entry points and varied activities to ensure all students can engage meaningfully in Religious Education.

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If you would like a detailed plan for the remaining lessons in this unit or additional resources, please let me know!