Discover Maundy Thursday

Lesson Overview

Year group: Mixed Year 3 & Year 4
Duration: 45 minutes
Class size: 25 students
Unit: Understanding Good Friday (Lesson 2 of 5)
National Curriculum focus: Christianity - The story of Holy Week and Easter

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand the significance of Maundy Thursday in Holy Week.
• Explore the Last Supper story and its meaning in Christian tradition.
• Recognise and explain the symbolism of Communion (bread and wine).
• Express understanding through role-play to deepen engagement.

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Success Criteria

I will know I have succeeded when:

• I can retell the story of the Last Supper in my own words.
• I can explain why Christians remember Maundy Thursday.
• I can describe the symbolism of bread and wine in Communion.
• I participate actively in the role-play, showing respect and understanding.

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National Curriculum Links

Religious Education: Christianity (Key Stage 2)

• Pupils should be taught to understand the impact of Christian belief on individuals, communities and cultures (DfE, RE curriculum 2013)
• Explain the meaning and significance of religious stories, practices and symbolism, e.g., describe and reflect on the Last Supper as a key event in Holy Week (RE Programme of Study)
• Consider the meanings of symbols and rituals in religious life (Bread and wine as symbols in Communion)
• Develop empathy by engaging with religious stories through role-play and discussion.

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Resources

• Storybook or short, dyslexia-friendly text version of the Last Supper story (font size 14pt+, sans serif font, line spacing 1.5)
• Large print illustrated cards showing bread, wine, Jesus, disciples
• Table set up to mimic the Last Supper (simple props: loaf of bread, cups with grape juice or water)
• Role badges/names for each disciple and Jesus
• Whiteboard and markers
• Worksheets with pictures and simple questions (optional for assessment)

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter (5 mins) – Recap & Engage

• Begin with a brief recap of what was covered in Lesson 1 about Good Friday and introduce Maundy Thursday.
• Ask pupils: "What do you know about Jesus’s last days before Easter?" Write responses on the board.
• Use a picture prompt of the Last Supper to spark curiosity and elicit ideas (dyslexia-friendly with clear images).

2. Main Teaching (15 mins) – Storytelling & Discussion

• Read aloud a simplified, dyslexia-friendly version of the Last Supper story.
• Show illustrations and pause to explain key elements: setting, Jesus and disciples, bread and wine.
• Discuss: Why do Christians share bread and wine? What do these symbols remind them of?
• Highlight the concept of ‘Communion’ / ‘Eucharist’ as remembering Jesus’s sacrifice and friendship.

3. Activity – Role-Play (20 mins)

• Assign roles to pupils: Jesus and 12 disciples (use name badges to help).
• Arrange the classroom to create a ‘table’ setting mimicking the Last Supper scene.
• Guide pupils through a simple role-play:
  • Jesus breaks bread and shares it, explaining, “This is my body.”
  • Shares ‘wine’ (grape juice) saying, “This is my blood.”
• Pause at dialogue prompts to ask pupils what they think it means.
• Encourage pupils to express feelings or thoughts about the story in role.

4. Plenary & Assessment (5 mins)

• Gather pupils for a circle discussion.
• Ask: "What did the bread and wine mean in the story? Why is Maundy Thursday important?"
• Use thumbs up/down or traffic light cards to assess understanding quickly.
• Optionally, hand out a simple worksheet with pictures and/or sentences to reorder or match symbols and meanings for early finishers.

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Differentiation Strategies

Learner Group	Strategies
Lower Attainment / SLCN / EAL	Use clear, simple language; visual aids; paired talk with a supportive peer; repeat instructions; use concrete props for tactile learning; role extra time given
Dyslexic Learners	Provide written materials in dyslexia-friendly font; short text, large images; read aloud instructions; allow oral storytelling or drawing instead of writing
Advanced Learners	Encourage deeper questions about symbolism and tradition; ask for reasons why Christians continue the practice; invite to create additional dialogue in role-play

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Extension Activities

• Create a simple art activity to design a ‘Last Supper’ tablecloth showing the bread and wine symbols with captions.
• Write a diary entry as one of the disciples describing their feelings at the Last Supper.
• Research Maundy Thursday traditions in different countries and share findings.

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Notes for Teacher

• Emphasise empathy and respect throughout the role-play—reinforce that this is a sacred story for many people.
• Use humour gently to keep engagement high but maintain reverence for the subject.
• Circulate during role-play to support quieter or less confident pupils, helping them recall lines or cues.
• Monitor understanding during discussion with probing questions and scaffold as needed.

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This lesson is designed to build foundational Christian knowledge for students with missed early years learning and provides multiple sensory entry points to support diverse learners while following KS2 statutory requirements for Religious Education.