Embedded Files
The Ways of Knowing
The Ways of knowing describe the skills and understanding that pupils develop as they move through our Religious Education curriculum. We use the term Ways of Knowing rather than levels or standards because progress in RE is about more than test results or formal assessments.
These Ways of Knowing reflect how children learn and grow as whole individuals. They show how pupils deepen their understanding, think creatively and critically, and begin to reflect on how what they learn connects to their own lives and experiences.
Understand
In this way of knowing, the aim is to help pupils to understand deeply the meaning of sacred texts, religious beliefs, sacred rites, and the lives of individuals and communities who are shaped by these texts, beliefs and rites.
Discern
In this way of knowing, the aim is to help pupils to be able to judge wisely in response to different interpretations of the meaning, significance and implications of texts, beliefs, rites, and ways of life so that they can arrive at justified conclusions about what is true, what is good and what is beautiful.
Respond
In this way of knowing, the aim is to help pupils reflect personally and with integrity on what they have learnt and consider the implications for action these may have for their own lives and the world in which they live.
38.pdfPages from Religious Education Directory.pdfKnowledge Lenses
The knowledge lenses indicate what should be known by the end of each age phase.
Hear
The first knowledge lens is called ‘Hear’ and is an exemplification of Section One of Part One of the Catechism (‘I Believe’ – ‘We Believe’). It discusses the human capacity for God, Divine Revelation, and its transmission, Sacred Scripture, and the human response to God’s invitation. It is called ‘Hear’ because it focuses on the Word of God which we hear.
Believe
The second knowledge lens is called ‘Believe’ and is an exemplification of Section Two of Part One of the Catechism (‘The profession of the Christian Faith’) that deals with the contents of the Creed. It is called ‘Believe’ because it focuses on the content of the Church’s own profession of faith. In this lens, we look at the doctrines that constitute our faith: trinity, the Holy Spirit, the communion of saints, and the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Celebrate
The third knowledge lens is called ‘Celebrate’ and is an exemplification of Parts 2 (The celebration of the Christian Mystery) and 4 (Christian Prayer) of the Catechism that deals with liturgy and prayer, It is called ‘celebrate’ because it deals with the liturgy in which the Church celebrates the Paschal mystery of Christ. In this lens, we look at prayer, liturgy, and sacrament, sacraments of initiation, the Eucharist, sacraments of healing, sacraments at the service of communion and other liturgies and sacramentals.
Live
The fourth knowledge lens is called ‘Live’ and is an exemplification of Part 3 (life in Christ) of the Catechism and the summary of Catholic social teaching found in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church and deals with the ways in which the disciples of Christ are called to be in the world. It is called ‘Live’ because it focuses on the impact of faith on how Christians live. In this lens, we look at the dignity of the human person; freedom, conscience, and virtue; law, grace and sin.
Dialogue
The fifth knowledge lens is called ‘Dialogue’ and is an exemplification of the Church’s teaching on the relationship between Catholicism and other Christian traditions along with Catholicism and other religions and worldviews. It is called ‘dialogue’ because it focuses on the importance of dialogue as the only authentic way of living faithfully in a world that accepts difference.
Encounter
The sixth knowledge lens is called ‘Encounter’ and is when children engage in a discrete study of other faiths, religions and worldviews. It focuses on the importance of loving our neighbours, respecting other cultures and learning how to live peacefully with difference.
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