Year A: from Advent to Christmas

Support material for

The Year of Matthew

Year A: From Advent to Christmas

SecondHalf of Autumn Term 2013/2014

The Diocesan Policy on Religious Education (2012) commits the Diocese to support schools in implementing the requirements of the Curriculum Directory and other norms of the Bishops’ Conference. More recently this Diocesan support has focussed on a number of areas including:

Agreeing and developing a fuller understanding of the national Levels of Attainment including teaching required for achievement of Level 5
Understanding of the new RECD
Improving the teaching of Scripture according to the requirements of the RECD
Increasing depth in thinking and questioning of pupils
Extending the repertoire of teaching and learning activities available to teachers
Richer assessment opportunities

To support professional development provided by Educational Advisers, in 2012, the Diocese decided to provide a framework of teaching and learning to model exemplar practises. The content taught in these frameworks was taken from the Archbishop’s themes for the Year of Faith.

Following positive feedback from schools using these frameworks the Diocese has determined to continue their provision and to include three new areas of development:

Higher order questioning
Links to AT 2
Direct information for pupils ‘KIP’ in the form of posters for display
KIP – Key Information for Pupils

Schools are reminded that, in keeping with Diocesan policy, they are free to choose the Religious Education programme that best suits their needs. These frameworks are neither compulsory nor, in themselves, a programme of learning. Schools wishing to use these frameworks as the basis of their learning must make the necessary changes and adaptations to meet their school’s needs.

Overview /

Topic Theme: From Advent to Christmas

This unit is intended as the second for the academic year 2013/2014 and the first of the Liturgical year, Year A. In keeping with the Liturgical year, this framework teaches the seasons of Advent and Christmas, according to the Gospel of Matthew.

Key Teachings from the Catholic Tradition from theRECDNumbers in brackets refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church

1.1.1.The Nature of Revelation: How Do We Know About God? (1-3,27-35)
C. Divine Revelation (50-53,68-69)
1.2.5. The Shape of the Bible (120-130)
D. The Gospels
1.5.1. Jesus Christ, Son of God (422-679)
A. Mystery of the Incarnation: Emmanuel (God-is- with-us) (Jn 3:16-17; 484)
1.5.2. The Promise of a Messiah and the promise of redemption fulfilled in Jesus (422-451
G.The Gospels recognise Jesus as the fulfilment of the promise
1.5.3.The Mystery of the Incarnation (461-463)
A. The Word became flesh (the Incarnation) (525-528, 456-478)
B Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man (464-469)
3.5.1. What is prayer? (2559-2565)
A The Church at prayer
3.5.2. A universal call (2566-2567)
A.God calls every individual to a vital relationship with him experienced in prayer (2558)
B. Developing intimacy and communion with Jesus Christ through prayer is an essential aspect in the life of a believer or disciple (CT, no. 5; GDC, no. 80; NDC, §19B; 2560)
D.Expressions of prayer can be vocal, meditative, or contemplative (2700-2724)
E.The forms of prayer are blessing, adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise (2626-2649)
F.Prayer requires effort and commitment (2729-2745)
3.2.4. Liturgical year (1163-1171)
A. Seasons (1163-1165)
B. The Sabbath and the Lord’s Day (1166-1167)
C. The Liturgical Year (1168-1171)
D. The Sanctoral (1172-1173)
E. The Liturgy of the Hours (1174-1178)

Content Areas from the RECDNumbers in brackets refer to age groups

Pupils will learn about:
Revelation:

The main events, characters and places in the life of Jesus: Nativity (5-7)
Stories of significant people in the Old and New Testament (5-7)
The Gospel accounts of key events in the life of Jesus: The Nativity (7-11)

Church:

Ways of belonging to the community (5-7)

The ‘Church’ as the People of God made one by Jesus, a community which shares love and life (5-7)
Ways of taking part in the life and worship of the domestic and local church (e.g. celebrating Eucharist, prayer for others, parish activities) (7-11)
To being Church in the parish, diocese and universal Church (7-11)
A variety of prayers and prayer forms, formal and informal used for personal and community prayer (7-11)

Celebration:

The place and value of celebrations in family, school and parish (5-7)
Some ways the church celebrates major seasons of the liturgical year (5-7)
Prayers from Scripture and tradition (5-7)
Ways in which people pray in church (5-7)
Signs and symbols used by the Church (5-7)
The Church’s celebrations of significant events in the life of Jesus (7-11)
Community prayer (7-11)
Signs and symbols and their significance in liturgy (7-11)
A variety of prayers and prayer forms, formal and informal used for personal and community prayer (7-11)

Life in Christ:

Passages in Scripture which express joy and trust in God’s love (5-7)

Dominant Strands from Levels of Attainment: AT 1 (i) and (ii)

This unit has been written to model linear teaching of AT 1(i) and AT 1(ii).
Block 1 provides content for Levels 1 to 3; Block 2 for Levels 3 and 4
Teachers are reminded that completion of a ‘levelled’ activity does not automatically constitute achievement of that level and that both on-going and summative assessment should be used to judge the levels at which pupils are working.

Content of Blocks 1 and 2

Pupils will explore the season of Advent with particular focus on the Jesse tree and its links to the Gospel of Matthew. They will then learn about the O Antiphons, said as part of Evening Prayer during the seven days before December 24th. Pupils will finish by learning Matthew’s story of the birth of Jesus.

Outcomes of Blocks 1 and 2

Block 1:Pupils will recognise, describe and explain the ‘O’ Antiphons as part of the season of Advent (AT 1 (ii) Levels 1-3). They will become familiar with or retell Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus; Matthew 1:18-2:15 (AT 1 (i) Levels 1-2) and recall or identify the beliefs about God that are found in this text. (AT 1 (i) emerging or sound Level 3).
Block 2: Pupils will describe and/or explain the meaning and purpose of the ‘O’ Antiphons as part of prayer ritual used during Advent using appropriate religious terminology. (AT 1 (ii) Level 4 and 5)
They will retell Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus (AT 1 (i) Level 2) and relate the titles for Jesus used by Matthew to belief in the Incarnation. (AT 1 (i) Level 3). Pupils will make links between the O Antiphons and Matthew’s Jewish audience (AT 1 (i) Level 4).
All pupils will pray the ‘O’ Antiphons.

Rich Assessment Opportunities

Block 1: Pupils choose and describe a symbol from the Jesse Tree. They tell the story of Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus ‘in the round’. Pupils discuss the titles of Jesus in Matthew’s Infancy Narrative.
Block 2: Pupils respond to Kip’s Mum Blog. They tell Matthew’s story of the birth of Jesus ‘in the round’ and complete a written piece of work.

A Year of Faith / From Advent to Christmas / Overview
The Year of Faith
Linking School, Parish and Home / Insert school
logo here /
Religious Education
Key Idea:From Advent to Christmas
This unit is intended as the second for the academic year 2013/2014 and the first of the Liturgical year, Year A. In keeping with the Liturgical year, this framework teaches the seasons of Advent and Christmas, according to the Gospel of Matthew.
Unit Content
In this unit pupils explore the season of Advent with particular focus on the Jesse tree and its links to the Gospel of Matthew. They will then learn about the O Antiphons, said as part of Evening Prayer on the seven days before December 24th. Pupils finish this unit by learning Matthew’s story of the birth of Jesus.
Attitudes and Spiritual Dispositions
It is hoped that pupils will develop:

An appreciation of the gift of God’s presence born again into the world at Christmas
An openness to the incarnation in their own lives
An appreciation of the truths contained in Scripture
A willingness to pray during Advent

Activities to try at home
You are the first educator of your child in faith. Your child’s learning in Religious Education will be much higher if you and the school are engaged in talking about the same ideas and beliefs. Help your child by trying one or more of these activities while this unit is being taught:

Talk to your children about your plans and preparations for Christmas. Point out what is happening in your local community.
Ask your children to share the prayers they are saying at school with you. Include them in your bedtime rituals.

An idea for prayer at home
/ Prayer Activity
Pray this litany at bedtime:
Into the darknessCome, Lord Jesus
Into the coldCome,Lord Jesus
Into our schoolCome,Lord Jesus
Into our homesCome,Lord Jesus
Into our heartsCome,Lord Jesus
Into our worldCome, Lord Jesus
As we workCome,Lord Jesus
As we playCome,Lord Jesus
As we sleepCome,Lord Jesus
As we prayCome,Lord Jesus
As we waitCome,Lord Jesus
The Year of Faith / Lent and the Passion of Jesus
Block 1 – From Advent to Christmas.Year A /
Suggested duration: 5-6 weeks
Cognitive Outcomes / Assessment Opportunities
Students will:
Block 1:

Recognise, describe and explain the ‘O’ Antiphons as part of the season of Advent (AT 1 (ii) Levels 1-3)
Become familiar with or retell Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus; Matthew 1:18-2:15 (AT 1 (i) Levels 1-2)
Recall or identify the beliefs about God that are found in this text.(AT 1 (i) emerging or soundLevel 3)
Pray the ‘O’ Antiphons

/ Include:
Outcomes a: Pupils choose and describe a symbol from the Jesse Tree
Outcome b:Pupils tell the story ‘in the round’.
Outcome c:Discussion about the titles of Jesus in Matthew’s Infancy narrative
Outcome d: Not assessed
Attitudes and Spiritual Dimensions
It is hoped that pupils will develop:

An appreciation of the gift of God’s presence born again into the world at Christmas
An openness to the incarnation in their own lives
An appreciation of the truths contained in Scripture
A willingness to pray during Advent

Key Language
Advent, Christmas, narrative, antiphon, liturgical year/calendar/seasons, Gospel, First Testament, family tree, Jesse Tree, Psalm, incarnation, Messiah, Emmanuel, Maranatha
Other Curriculum links
English: Comprehension of stories/Literacy strategies/Structure of Antiphons
Art: Creation of Jesse tree and symbol
Maths:
PSHE/SMSC: Personal Reflection on care of self and others as a response to belief that God is present in the world (the Incarnation)
IT: mind map, use of the internet
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Focus Question: What are ‘O’ Antiphons? How are they part of the season of Advent? AT 1 (ii)
This framework teaches content suitable for Year A, Advent and Christmas.

Advent marks the beginning of the Liturgical Year. Find a Liturgical Calendar and explain how the Liturgical year works.

more complex one on:

or

Use the image to explain that, the readings we hear at Mass (at our Liturgy), follow the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and so the Liturgical year starts with Advent: the time of waiting for the birth of Jesus.

Ask the pupils to find the Liturgical Season in which is their birthday.

Establish pupil’s prior knowledge about Advent with a ‘human Y chart’ in the class or hall. Make the Y with masking tape, chalk or rope. Identify the three sections of the Y as ‘I know this about Advent’; ‘I think I know this about Advent’; I am not sure about this.’ Ask pupils move to the section they belong to as you quiz them:

When do we celebrate Advent?
What colour do we use during Advent?
What is themeaning ofthe word ‘Advent’?
For how long does Advent last?
What comes at the end of Advent?
What sort of things do we do during Advent?
Why is Advent important?

Use the information on KIT and KIP to explain aspects of Advent to pupils and to outline the work you will be covering.

/ Key Information for Teachers – See KIP also
Advent is the time of waiting before Christmas. It is a period of four weeks and begins four Sunday’s before Christmas, this year, 2013, this will be on December 1st.
The word “Advent” means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. In Advent we thank God for coming into our world as Jesus and for what his life brings to us. Advent gives us time to get ready for Jesus so that our lives can reflect the love and joy that we feel at Christmas.
The liturgical colour for Advent is purple, and is characterised as a season of hope and expectation.
Symbols are an important part of Advent: the Advent wreath was taught in the Year of Faith framework last year. For information see Topic 2, Advent and Christmas.
The Jesse Tree is another symbol associated with Advent. This framework teaches the Jesse tree.
Prayer is also an important part of Advent. The Readings used during the four Sundays of Advent introduce us to people who prepared for the birth of Jesus: people like John the Baptist and Mary.
We also prepare by praying special prayers, among them the ‘O’ antiphons.
This framework teaches some of the O Antiphons.
The Jesse Tree

Introduce Matthew’s Gospel as the Gospel for the year. Explain that each year the Church chooses to read from one Gospel for most of its Sunday readings. Over the year, stories from the Gospel are read, so people hear most of the story from start to finish. From Advent this year (2013) to the start of Advent 2014, the Gospel we will read is the Gospel of Matthew. Explain that this Gospel will be the Gospel you will study this year.

Ask pupils to find the Gospel of Matthew in a Bible, or find it in your class Bible yourself. Mark it with a bookmark so pupils can find it later. Explain:

The Gospel of Matthew is a Gospel – a story of ‘Good News’ about Jesus
It is the first of the four Gospels in the Bible (although it was not the first to be written – ‘Matthew’ copied a lot of it from Mark, which was the first Gospel to be written.)
It is quite long: 28 chapters.
We are not sure who Matthew was – we used to think he was one of the disciples during Jesus’ lifetime but we don’t think that now. We think instead that he heard about Jesus from others and came to believe in him. We think he was Jew.
We are sure why he wrote his Gospel though: he wanted people to believe, as he did, that Jesus was God made human. (The Incarnation of God).
We also think the people he wrote for were mostly Jewish, like Jesus himself, as Matthew has lot of quotes from the First (Old) Testament and he talks a lot about the stories of the Jewish people.

Give pupils a blank outline of KIP and write (or ask them to write) in it one fact about the Gospel of Matthew that they have learned. Ask pupils to decorate the rest of the space so it becomes a class poster. Display these.

Begin a class concept map on the IWB that you can keep and refer to throughout the year. See Block 1 Resource 1 for a simple example. Put the information you have about Matthew onto your mind map now. Link to IT if possible. Weblink below

Find Matthew 1:1-17. Put it on the IWB. Read it to the pupils as best you can! Explain that Matthew begins his Gospel with a family tree. Explain a family tree – make a simple family tree for yourself on the board to explain how they work.

Matthew seems to have some of the names in Jesus’ family tree wrong…it doesn’t make perfect sense - but it reminds us of all the people who make up a family and how everyone contributes something important to a family – especially when a baby is born.

Print off this family tree for pupils to complete at home. Be sensitive about families where this may be difficult.

Explain that during the season of Advent one of the ways we remember all those who were part of Jesus’ family is by making a Jesse Tree. Make a Jesse Tree:

Use a bare branch shaped like a tree. Stand it in a bucket of sand or dirt to keep it stable.
Gather some medium sized branches and hang them to be the frame of a mobile: put the symbols on the branches so they hang down into the room.

Ask pupils to trace their hands, colour or paint the hands brown and cut them out. Put them onto the wall in the shape of a tree.
Use a Christmas tree but decorate it as a Jesse tree.
See these other examples:

Add the caption,‘Matthew’s Gospel begins with the family tree of Jesus’, to your tree.

Hang the symbols on the tree. As you hang each one, pray: ‘Come Lord Jesus, come to live with us.’

Go back to Matthew’s Family Tree and read it again slowly, noting those people Matthew has named who are on your tree. (see Block 1 Resource 2)

The ‘O’ Antiphons

Explain that prayer is another important part of the season of Advent. At any time, prayer strengthens our relationship with God, during Advent it helps us focus on what is going to happen and it gets us ready to be ready! Prayers and Trees remind us of what is going to happen and they help us get ready for the birth of Jesus by being particularly thoughtful to one another and close to God. One form of prayer we say during Advent is the ‘O’ Antiphon. The word ‘antiphon’ describes a short sentence said or sung before a Psalm or reading.
Put two of the seven antiphons of the IWB (Block 1 Resource 3)Read them out loud to/with pupils. Discuss, using the information in KIT.
Why do you think they are called ‘O’ Antiphons?
Do you see any words in these antiphons that you might know?Use your Jesse Tree to link the antiphons to the family of Jesus.
Talk about how the antiphons are structured: they begin with a title for Jesus and then move to ask Jesus to come to be with us.

/ Key Information for Teachers – See KIP also