Reception Religious Education

Why do Christians Put a Cross on their Easter Garden?

(Why is Easter Special to Christians?)

In this unit, pupils find out about the key events from Palm Sunday until Easter Day in the Christian Salvation story. They will find out about the Christian belief that Jesus saved his people from their sins by dying on the cross and rising again three days later. During the unit, pupils will encounter signs and symbols linked to the celebration of Easter and be able to talk about why these are important for believers.

Key Vocabulary

JESUS
GOD
SALVATION
EASTER
HOSANNA
PALM
GOOD FRIDAY
DONKEY
SUNDAY
DISCIPLES

Unit Sequence

Learning Outcomes

Talk about new ideas of new life in nature
Recognise some symbols Christians use during Holy Week e.g. palm leaves, crosses, eggs, etc ., and make connections with signs of new life on nature
Recognise and retell stories connected with celebration of Easter
Say why Easter is a special time for Christians
Recognise some symbols Christians use during Holy Week e.g. palm leaves, crosses, eggs, etc ., and make connections with signs of new life on nature
Talk about some ways Christians remember these stories at Easter

Links to Rochdale Agreed Syllabus

F4: Which times are special and why?

Give examples of special occasions and suggest features of a good celebration
Recall simple stories connected with Easter
Say why Easter is a special time for Christians