Easter Symbols

Overview

This 30-minute session is Lesson 2 of 5 in the "Easter Explorations: Love and Sacrifice" unit. Children from EYFS (Reception) and KS1 (Years 1 and 2) will explore symbols of Easter including the cross, eggs, and the empty tomb. The lesson is designed for a mixed-age class of 14 students in a small rural Church of England primary school in Cumbria and integrates age-appropriate, developmentally targeted activities. The lesson follows the statutory content and aims of the National Curriculum for England’s Religious Education (RE) framework, with reference to local Church of England Agreed Syllabus principles.

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Learning Objectives

National Curriculum Links:

• Understanding Christianity unit - Salvation (1:1) (KS1):
  Understand how Easter is a time when Christians remember Jesus’ love and sacrifice.
• Early Learning Goals - Understanding the World (EYFS):
  Talk about events and customs, understanding meanings of celebrations.
• Religious education - KS1 aims:
  Pupils should be introduced to key aspects of Christianity including symbols and stories associated with major festivals.

I can...

• Identify and explain at least three symbols of Easter (cross, eggs, tomb).
• Understand the Christian ideas of love and sacrifice through Easter symbols.
• Create a collage that represents my understanding of Easter symbols.

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Success Criteria

• I can name three different Easter symbols.
• I can say or write something about what each symbol means.
• I can work by myself or with a partner to make a collage showing Easter symbols that I understand.

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Resources Needed

• Large printed pictures of Easter symbols (cross, eggs, empty tomb, lamb, butterfly)
• Pre-cut images for collage (for differentiation)
• Plain A4 card or paper for collages
• Safety scissors, glue sticks, crayons, felt tips
• Symbol templates for students needing drawing support
• Simple fact cards on each symbol’s meaning (for adults and students to use)
• Whiteboard and marker
• Optional: real or plastic eggs, small wooden crosses for tactile exploration

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Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Details and Differentiation
0-5 mins	Introduction & Discussion

• Greet class, briefly remind about Easter.
• Show pictures of the Easter cross, eggs, tomb.
• Ask: “Does anyone recognise these? What do you think they mean?”
• Use questioning to elicit ideas linked to love, new life, sacrifice.
  Differentiation: Use real objects for EYFS tactile learning. Use visual symbols for all learners. Pair talk to support verbal confidence.
  | 5-15 mins | Symbol Exploration and Explanation |
• Share simple facts about each symbol:
  • Cross = Jesus’ sacrifice and love
  • Eggs = New life and resurrection
  • Empty tomb = Jesus rising from the dead
• Use story language with appropriate sensitivity for age range.
• Show each symbol’s card, relate to story and Christian beliefs.
  Differentiation: Use picture-supported fact cards for SEN; encourage advanced learners to suggest other symbols they know.
  | 15-25 mins | Creative Collage Activity |
• Children create their own collages using pre-cut images and drawing.
• EYFS: more drawing with symbol templates available.
• KS1: encouraged to add simple written labels or sentences with adult support if able.
• Pair KS1 children for discussion about symbol meanings.
• Teacher circulates, prompts thinking: “Why did you choose this symbol?” “What does it remind you of?”
  Differentiation: Provide templates for drawing; use adapted scissors for fine motor needs. Advanced learners can add extra symbols researched.
  | 25-30 mins | Sharing and Reflection |
• Children share their collages in pairs or small groups.
• Ask volunteers to explain their favourite symbol and its meaning.
• Recap learning with “I can...” statements on whiteboard, children repeat.
• Highlight the Christian themes of love and sacrifice tied to symbols.
  Differentiation: Support shy learners by allowing paired sharing rather than whole class.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observe children naming symbols and sharing ideas during discussion and collage-making.
• Success Criteria Checklist: Tick students who can name/explain 3 symbols and create a relevant collage.
• Teacher notes: Capture examples of children's spoken or written explanations for use in future planning.

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Extension Activity (for advanced learners)

• Choose one Easter symbol to research further at home or in class: find its history or significance in Christianity and prepare to present it during the next lesson.
• Encourage use of simple sentences or drawings to aid their explanations.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For SEN and younger children:
  • Use highly visual, tactile resources (real eggs, crosses) to support understanding.
  • Provide symbol templates and pre-cut images to reduce fine motor demands.
  • Pair children for peer support during talks and creative activity.
• For advanced or confident learners:
  • Challenge to add extra Easter symbols such as lamb, butterfly, palm leaves.
  • Support research and short presentation preparation as extension.
• General classroom management:
  • Use Rosenshine’s principles by modelling discussion about symbols clearly before children try.
  • Use plenty of repetition and scaffolding throughout.

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Reflection prompts for the teacher

• Were all students actively engaged in identifying symbols?
• Did the use of real objects aid understanding for EYFS children?
• Were the mixed-age group tasks appropriately scaffolded?
• How well did the children articulate the meanings of the symbols?
• Which children might benefit from extra support or extension in the next lessons?

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This plan aims to nurture the whole child, integrating understanding of Christian beliefs about Easter in accessible ways, with creative expression, discussion, and peer collaboration. It respects the rural C of E school context and supports your growing confidence as a Year 1 ECT.