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Does the language of scripture matter?

Exploring the ancient and translated languages of scripture and investigating their importance to many believers today.

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  1. Subjects >
  2. Religion and worldviews >
  3. Key stage 2 >
  4. Year 4 >
  5. Does the language of scripture matter?

Unit outcomes

Pupils who are secure will be able to:

  • Describe some oral traditions in some ancient societies.
  • Understand the reasons written traditions developed.
  • Discuss why new languages develop as a result of diaspora.
  • Consider the role of Biblical Hebrew and Classical Arabic for many Jewish and Muslim people today.
  • Identify religious and cultural uses of Hebrew and Arabic.
  • Describe why some believers choose to learn and read the language of their religious scripture.
  • Identify an ancient language, a translation and a commentary in a copy of a page of scripture.
  • Consider what might be holy to a believer.
  • Describe how translations, the creation of scripts like Gurmukhi and artwork made religious teachings more accessible.
  • Reflect on why some scriptures have no art or symbols.

Suggested prior learning

Why is the Bible the best-selling book of all time?

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Teacher video: Does the language of scripture matter? unit overview

An overview video to support the teaching of this unit.
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Lessons

Lesson 1: What came before written scripture?

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Lesson 2: Why does original language matter to some believers?

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Lesson 3: How do some religious communities use scripture?

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Lesson 4: How can the same scripture be expressed in different ways?

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Lesson 5: How does the language of scripture support communities?

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Lesson 6: Does the language of scripture matter?

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Key skills

Key skills

Pupils who are secure will

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Key knowledge

Substantive

To know:

  • Religious and non-religious
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Key vocabulary

ancient

culture

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    Resources

Unit resources

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Religion and worldviews

Knowledge organiser – R&W Y4: Does the language of scripture matter?

Aimed at pupils, a single pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit 'Does the language of scripture matter?'

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Religion and worldviews

Vocabulary display – R&W Y4: Does the language of scripture matter?

A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Is scripture central to religion?'

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Subject resources

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Cross-curricular opportunities

English: Reading – comprehension; Spoken language.

History.

RSE: Respectful relationships.

British values: Mutual respect; Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; Rule of law.

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