Creative processes using the Arts as tools of engagement are embedded within RE with Soul’s Primary RE units to inspire and enable deeper theological enquiry, understanding and personal as well as group reflection.
Collaborative creativity is also common element of the values-rich creative reflection within the Primary units, which advocate for pupils creating something as a gift for the local church or overseas Companion Link community.
Click on the following links to see examples of collaborative artwork made through partnership work between Blair Peach Pupils, members of St George’s Church, Southall and Lichinga church, Mozambique via the ALMA overseas Companion Link:
- Love your Neighbour – Gifts of the Spirit Bannners for Lichinga Church
- Water of Life – stained glass window designs on the theme of Baptism for Lichinga Church
Verbal and visual, silent, drama-led, collective and individual creative learning activities and reflections punctuate the RE with Soul learning activities to help develop pupils reflective practise and critical thinking skills, whilst enhancing the quality of their engagement in the learning experience. Click here to watch a video clip.
Churches as creative learning spaces
adding finer details
Churches are excellent creative learning spaces. They allow pupils to stretch out: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Pupils can think big and participate in collaborative project work on a large scale, than is often possible in school. Using space within a place of worship to host re RE learning helps engage pupils cognitively and creatively. Read more…
Storytelling and role play
Storytelling and role play are used to unpack and reflect upon core theological concepts in the Primary learning activities. Read more..
For example Year 5 pupils from Blair Peach Primary School explored ‘Water of Life’ using the local church as a creative learning space. The local vicar led a series of interactive drama sketches using a parachute to engage pupils in exploring the spiritual significance of water in Christianity. Click here to watch sample videos of storytelling through drama.
Dramatising scripture and developing theological literacy
Peter and the miraculous catch
Dramatising Biblical texts is an effective and progressive way to develop pupils theological understanding and confidence. Taking one of the selected texts suggested in the units for example ‘The Good Samaritan’ and developing sketches with pupils is very worthwhile.
Click here to read more and to download resources.
Collaborative Visual learning
Each Primary RE with Soul unit offers opportunities for pupils to engage in collaborative visual learning activities. Click here to hear more about the value of this approach.
Exploration of biblical texts through visualising ideas as diagrams and sketches helped all learners engage their thinking and to articulate their ideas. Through extended creative reflection inspired by local churches Companion Links, pupils are able to consolidate their theological understanding in partnership with their peers and teachers and enlarge their experience of how the selected texts can be interpreted and applied. Click here to see a galley of images documenting the visual learning processes in the ‘Water of Life’ unit. Read more…
Critical thinking, Researching and Evaluating
Researching, interpretation, investigating, analysis, evaluation and reflection are skills being exercised throughout the RE with Soul units, undergirding the theological exploration and extended reflection.
For example Pupils exploring the ‘Love your Neighbour unit’ find out first hand about their local parish church’s Companion Link with their Mozambican neighbour’. This was facilitated through meeting with church leaders and members who had ‘made friendships with leaders and members of the ALMA linked church community in Lichinga, via email communication and through visiting Mozambique.
Through visiting their local parish church, finding out about work in the local community, how ALMA’s partnership with Mozambique and Angola worked, and using email communication, photographs videos and individuals first-hand accounts, pupils deepen their understanding of ways in which Christian believers express their love for their neighbour’ in their local community and Africa. They are able to evaluate the impact this has on individuals and communities. Read more…
