Understanding Miracles

National Curriculum Links

Religious Education (based on non-statutory framework for RE, Key Stage 2):

• Pupils should be taught to:
  • Reflect on and consider meaning, purpose and truth, including what might be learnt from different religious and non-religious worldviews.
  • Investigate and respond to questions posed, and communicate their own ideas and responses using creative approaches.
• Focus: Develop understanding of religious stories, beliefs and practices, including a focus on Christianity (where miracles play a key role).

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Learning Objectives

• I can explain what I think a miracle is.
• I can recall stories of miracles from a religious perspective.
• I can reflect on why miracles might be important to believers.

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Resources Needed

• Interactive whiteboard or projector
• PowerPoint slides (created specifically for this lesson)
• Story cards with simple miracle stories (Christian focus, e.g. Jesus calming the storm, feeding the 5000)
• Large sheets of paper and coloured pens for group work
• “Miracle Thought Bubble” worksheet for individual reflection

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Lesson Overview (45 minutes)

Starter (5 minutes)

• Slide 1: Title Slide - Understanding Miracles
• Teacher begins with a simple question: “What do you think a miracle is?”
• Use a mind-map on the board with children’s ideas – encourage diverse thinking. Write key words (amazing, impossible, special, magic, help, etc.).
• Connect to their own experiences (Have you ever seen something you thought was amazing or surprising?).

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Introduction to Miracles (10 minutes)

• Slide 2: What is a Miracle?
  • Simple definition: “A miracle is something amazing that people believe happens because of God’s power.”
• Slide 3: Miracles in Stories
  • Briefly tell 2 simple Christian miracle stories with visuals:
    1. Jesus calming the storm on the sea.
    2. Jesus healing a blind man.
• Pause to ask questions:
  • “Why do you think people told these stories?”
  • “What do the stories teach us about God or Jesus?”
• Use short video clip (1-2 mins) of a child-friendly retelling of a miracle (optional if tech allows).

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Main Activity: Group Story Exploration (15 minutes)

• Divide class into 6 groups of 5.
• Give each group 1 story card with a different miracle story (simplified, age-appropriate). Examples:
  • Feeding the 5000
  • Jesus walking on water
  • Healing the paralysed man
• Slide 4: Group Task Instructions
  • Read and discuss the story.
  • As a group, draw or write what the miracle shows about God or Jesus.
  • Think about: Is this a miracle? Why or why not?
• Each group presents their story and ideas (2 mins per group).

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Individual Reflection (10 minutes)

• Hand out the Miracle Thought Bubble worksheet with prompts:
  • What do YOU think a miracle is?
  • Can you think of a miracle that is not from a story? (e.g., a surprise, a happy event)
  • How do miracles make you feel?
• Children complete their reflections using full sentences or drawings.

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Plenary (5 minutes)

• Slide 5: What Is a Miracle? Summary
• Invite 4-5 children to share their thoughts from the worksheet.
• End with a key question to ponder:
  “Why might people want to believe in miracles?”
• Teacher summarises: Miracles are special events that teach us about hope, power, kindness, and faith.

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Assessment

• Observations of group discussions assessing understanding of miracle concepts.
• Review children’s Miracle Thought Bubble worksheets for the ability to explain and reflect on miracles with some personal insight.
• Use questioning during plenary to check individual thinking and listening skills.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters on worksheets; allow drawing instead of writing.
• Challenge: Encourage more detailed group explanations and connections to personal beliefs or non-religious views of "miracle" (e.g. scientific wonders).

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Extension Ideas

• Write a short story about a modern-day “miracle” they might imagine.
• Compare miracles in other religions briefly for cross-curricular links (e.g., stories of miracles in Islam or Hinduism) in a follow-up lesson.

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Slide Breakdown Summary

1. Title: Understanding Miracles
2. What is a Miracle? (definition)
3. Miracles in Stories (Jesus calming the storm & healing)
4. Group Task Instructions
5. What Is a Miracle? Summary

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This plan engages KS2 pupils with vivid storytelling, reflective activities, and group work promoting speaking and listening skills, all centred on the RE curriculum’s requirement to explore key beliefs and values through questioning and personal responses.