Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur

Overview

Unit: Jewish Festivals and Traditions (Lesson 2 of 6)
Duration: 45 minutes
Class: Mixed Lower KS2 (Year 3 & Year 4)
Class size: 25 students
Attainment Level: Low, with missed foundations from KS1
National Curriculum Focus:

Religious Education programmes of study (KS2):
- AT1 (Learning about religions): Pupils should be taught to describe and understand key aspects of religions, including celebrations and festivals.
- AT2 (Learning from religions): Pupils should talk about and reflect on ideas of religious belief, values, and practices, exploring their own and others’ ideas about forgiveness and new beginnings.

Learning Objectives (WALT)

WALT: Explore the themes of reflection, forgiveness, and new beginnings through Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
WALT: Understand and explain the significance of the apple dipped in honey and the blowing of the Shofar during these festivals.

Success Criteria

I can explain what happens during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
I can describe why reflection, forgiveness, and new beginnings are important during these festivals.
I can participate in role-play to show ideas about saying sorry and starting again.
I can talk about the meaning of tasting apple dipped in honey and the sound of the Shofar.

Resources

Fresh apple slices and honey for tasting (pre-prepped hygienically)
Audio recordings of key concepts and vocabulary (e.g., Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Shofar, forgive, reflect)
Pictures and simple story cards about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
A toy Shofar (or visual representation)
Role-play prompt cards (e.g., situations needing forgiveness)
Letter writing frames for extension activity

Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation	Assessment Opportunities
0-5 mins	Starter: Reflective Talk	Circle time: Discuss what it means to say sorry and start again. Use simple questions like “What does forgive mean?” and “Why might it be good to have a fresh start?”	Use audio recording of key vocabulary. Visual prompt cards.	Observe participation and verbal responses.
5-15 mins	Introduction to Festivals	Using picture story cards and audio, introduce Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: key ideas of reflection, forgiveness, new beginnings, and community. Link to personal experience (e.g. saying sorry).	Use simplified sentences and repeat key points. Support with sentence starters on the board.	Ask pupils to explain one thing they learned about the festivals orally or with thumbs up/down to check understanding.
15-25 mins	Explore Key Traditions: Apple and Honey & Shofar	Show apple dipped in honey; pupils taste it whilst discussing symbolism (sweet new year). Play recording of Shofar and show a Shofar prop, discussing its meaning.	Allow pupils to express their thoughts verbally or with drawing if they struggle with writing.	Ask pupils "Why do people blow the Shofar?" and record a few responses.
25-35 mins	Role-Play: Saying Sorry & Starting Again	In small groups (4-5), pupils use role-play prompt cards to act out scenarios involving apology and forgiveness. Teacher models first.	Group pupils heterogeneously so low attainers can observe and join in. Provide sentence prompts for talk.	Peer and teacher observation of participation and understanding through performance.
35-40 mins	Plenary: Class Discussion	Come together to share thoughts from role-play and how it feels to say sorry and forgive. Recap success criteria with class.	Use thumbs up/down, sentence starters, and audio playback of key themes.	Pupils self-assess against success criteria with a simple interactive chart or sticker system.
40-45 mins	Extension & Dyslexia-friendly Activity	Advanced learners write a short letter of apology using provided writing frame. Others listen to audio versions of key concepts again or draw a symbol of forgiveness/new beginnings.	Provide audio for all reading material and allow options for drawing or dictating to an adult.	Review letters or drawings to check understanding and engagement.

Differentiation Strategies

Use clear, simple language supported by visuals and audio to support low attainment and those with language delays.
Role-play provides a kinaesthetic and social learning mode ideal for diverse learners.
Sentence starters and writing frames scaffold written and spoken tasks.
Group work encourages peer support and shared learning.
Extension provides challenge without excluding less confident pupils.
Dyslexia-friendly materials include audio versions of text and oral options.

Cross-Curricular Links

PSHE: Discussion about forgiveness, empathy, and new beginnings link closely with personal and social development.
Speaking & Listening (English): Role-play and group discussion develop communication skills.

National Curriculum References

Religious Education (KS2):
- Understanding Christianity and Other Faiths: Pupils should understand how festivals express important religious themes such as forgiveness and renewal.
- AT1 Learning about Religion: Describe key features of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and explain why they are celebrated.
- AT2 Learning from Religion: Reflect on the significance of forgiveness and new beginnings in their own lives and within religious beliefs.

Reflection for Teachers

Monitor understanding through verbal contributions and role-play engagement.
Use dyslexia-friendly supports to ensure inclusion.
Build on missed KS1 foundations by reinforcing vocabulary and concepts through repeated listening and doing.
Use the success criteria regularly to boost pupil confidence as they achieve each step.

This well-rounded, multi-sensory lesson plan promotes understanding of Jewish festivals through experiential learning and reflection, perfectly suited for mixed Year 3 and 4 students with a range of needs and attainment levels.