Exploring Wisdom

Overview

This 60-minute lesson enables Year 5 students to explore the concept of wisdom, identifying characteristics of wise people, considering their role in society, and reflecting on how wisdom applies in everyday life. The lesson aligns closely with the National Curriculum for England’s Religious Education (RE) aims to develop pupils’ self-awareness, respect for others, and ability to discuss moral concepts.

---

Curriculum Links

• Key Stage 2 – Religious Education Programme of Study

  • Enquiry: Develop the ability to ask questions and reflect on different viewpoints.
  • Knowledge & Understanding: Understand religious and non-religious ideas about what it means to be a ‘wise’ person.
  • Skills: Express ideas clearly and respectfully, make links between religious stories and personal experience, work collaboratively.

• Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) connections

  • Reflect on values and role models
  • Develop empathy by considering others’ viewpoints

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

1. Define the word “wise” in their own words.
2. Identify examples of wise people, including religious figures (e.g., Buddha, Solomon) and contemporary or personal role models (e.g., parents, teachers).
3. Reflect on why wise people can be important role models.
4. Suggest ways we might use wisdom in everyday situations.

---

Resources

• Whiteboard and markers
• “Wise person” brainstorming worksheet (divided into three columns: Who? Why? Examples of actions)
• Picture cards for a range of wise figures (religious and secular)
• Scenario cards describing daily life situations requiring wise decision-making
• Sticky notes and pens for reflection activity
• Visual vocabulary display (definition of “wise,” synonyms, example phrases)

---

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Starter question: On the board write “Who is the wisest person you know?”
• Invite students to share answers briefly. Record answers on the whiteboard.
• Discuss what the word “wise” means. Prompt with:
  • “Wise means…”
  • “Wise people might be good at…”
  • Write a definition collaboratively with the class, aiming for a child-friendly version such as “Wise means someone who knows what is right and makes good choices.”
• Show visual vocabulary display for reinforcement.

2. Exploring Wise People (15 minutes)

• Show picture cards of well-known wise figures from different backgrounds:
  • Religious: King Solomon, Buddha, Mother Teresa
  • Historical/secular: Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai
  • Everyday examples: grandparents, teachers, community leaders
• Use guided questions:
  • What makes this person wise?
  • What qualities do they show?
  • How are they different or similar to each other?
• Pupils complete the brainstorming worksheet in pairs: Name the wise person, why they are wise, and an example of something wise they have done.

3. Role Models and Everyday Wisdom (15 minutes)

• Discuss the question: Are wise people role models?
• In small groups, pupils share examples of how wise people can be role models in school, at home, or in the community.
• Give each group a scenario card (e.g., “Your friend is being left out at play,” “You have homework but also want to watch TV,” “Someone is being unfair in a team game”).
• Groups discuss and note ways a wise person might respond.
• Share ideas aloud, highlighting application of wisdom in daily life.

4. Reflective Activity (10 minutes)

• Each child writes on a sticky note:
  • One new thing they have learned about wisdom today
  • How they might use wisdom in their own life
• Stick notes on a large “Wisdom Wall” in the classroom for ongoing reminders.

5. Plenary and Assessment (10 minutes)

• Recap key learning points:
  • What does wise mean?
  • Who are some wise people?
  • Why are wise people important?
  • How can we use wisdom?
• Children verbalise one example from the lesson or their reflection.
• Teacher assesses understanding through observations of participation, worksheet completion, and reflective notes.

---

Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters on worksheets for children who need help writing definitions and examples.
• Challenge: Encourage some children to think about wise qualities shown in less obvious figures (e.g., fictional characters or people they know personally).
• Use visual aids and group work to engage learners with different strengths.

---

Extension Ideas

• Homework: Interview someone the child thinks is wise and report back on qualities and examples of their wisdom.
• Cross-curricular link: Write a short story or diary entry imagining a day using wise choices.

---

Notes for Teachers

• This lesson blends RE with personal reflection and PSHE, encouraging empathy and moral development.
• Maintain sensitivity when discussing religious examples—present them respectfully without promoting belief.
• Promote respectful discussion by modelling positive listening and acknowledging a variety of views on wisdom.
• This outside-the-box focus on wisdom as a personal and social value supports the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development (SMSC) mandated in the National Curriculum.

---

End of Lesson Plan