Ten Must-Know Bible Stories: The Ten Commandments

The Scottish Bible Society’s MUST KNOW BIBLE STORIES resources are free downloadable resources to help primary teachers explore Bible stories with their class as part of the RME curriculum. They include lesson plans, outdoor learning and play based learning ideas packed with active learning suggestions to help children engage with the learning and encourage them to discuss and explore how faith and belief affect the world they live in. They’re designed to make RME teaching easy, relevant and engaging and include links across the whole curriculum.

These resources are available at two Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) levels: Early Level and Second Level. Either could be easily adapted or elements combined for First Level. There is also a detailed case study of a whole-school learning context of ‘conflicts’ for a term. As part of this every class looked at the story of the Ten Commandments and thought about ‘Rules – good or bad, why do we have them?’

Early Level

The materials make many links across the curriculum, e.g. HWB: linking learning about God’s rules with the experience of rules at home or in school.

Also significant outdoor learning opportunities – lots of ‘mountain’ climbing and writing on rocks! For younger children there is a link to numeracy and counting to 10 (learning resource available via a weblink).

Second Level

The Second Level resource can be used to explore:

• the consequences (individual and corporate) of following or not following rules in the world.
• asking “the big questions”.
• war or conflicts works well
• How do I know the best way to live?
• What are my values and where do I get them from?

Additional resources are available via a weblink; this includes a detailed PowerPoint of the Biblical account of Moses.

Case Study: whole-school learning context of ‘Conflicts’

This is a detailed outline of a term-long whole school learning context around ‘Conflicts’, which included use of the above materials. The whole school theme gave a highly meaningful context to Remembrance Day. The Case Study is supported by a short documentary video.

These resources come from the “Ten Must Know Bible Stories” website https://tenbiblestories.org/ They have been collaboratively produced by Sue Thomson (Schools Worker, St Columba’s Church of Scotland, Aberdeen) and local teachers. All materials have been used in school, and have been exceptionally well received by staff and pupils alike. The “Ten Must Know Bible Stories Project” is supported by Aberdeen City Council and funded by the Church of Scotland Go For It Fund. The project aims to encourage and inspire teachers and chaplains to explore Bible Stories, using them to embed RME across the curriculum.

The website has downloadable session outlines (with learning intentions) that can be mixed and matched to suit your children and setting. Complete resources needed for the sessions are included. The website also has an array of photos and videos of the sessions in action.