Title: The Ramayana Learning Objectives: To understand the main features of the story To explain the moral of the story To reflect on the relevance of the story to our own life Skills: Team Workers/Effective Participator Lesson number: 3

Starter Recap what you have learnt so far questions mins Activity 1 Listen to the story of Rama and Sita from the Ramayana. 10 mins Activity 2 Match the sentences to the pictures to complete the story. Discuss the moral of the story and relate it to your life. 20 mins Activity 3 Organise your group and practice acting out the role play. 15 mins Plenary Make sure everyone in your group knows what they need to do for Homework 5 mins

By the end of this lesson: All will be able to understand the story of Rama and Sita (Level 3-4) Most will be able to explain the moral of the story (Level 5-6) Some will be able to relate the fictional characters to “real life” people and their own struggles in modern Britain. (Level 7+)

Answers 1) Brahma 2) Vishnu 3) Om 4) one who descends 5) The three principal Gods

Lord Rama Lord Rama is an avatar of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana. He was a prince known for his skill, strength and moral uprightness. He is known as the perfect son, brother, husband and leader. He is always shown with a bow and a quiver of arrows. Lord Rama, like Krishna, is often represented with blue skin to emphasise that he was a very different kind of person. Blue skin is a symbol of Divinity.

Ramayana The story is a classic tale of the triumph of good over evil which gave rise to the ancient Indian festival of Diwali, celebrated by both Hindus and Sikhs. The story is important for young Hindu people to know as it encourages them to follow their Dharma and be good upstanding Hindus. It also shows that good always overcomes evil. Rama, Sita and Bharata are all examples of people following their dharma (duty to Brahman).

Put the sentences in the right order according to the story of Rama and Sita Ravana kidnaps Sita and takes her to Lanka. The King of the Birds tells Rama that Sita was taken to the South. Rama marries Sita after lifting Lord Krishna’s bow. Hanuman is about to kill himself for failing to find Sita when the Bird tells him where she is. While in exile Rama kills many monsters. After a fierce battle Rama defeats Ravana and frees Sita. Sita and Lakshman tell Rama they will go with him into exile. Hanuman finds Sita on the island of Lanka. Rama tells Sita she will be safe if she stays in the circle while he is hunting. Hanuman promises Rama he will find Sita in 30 days.

What is the moral of the story? Why do you think that this is such a popular story for young Hindus today? Can you compare any of the characters in the story with people you know of in society in Britain today? Which character do you relate to the most and why? Is there any difficulty in your own life at the moment that you are struggling with? What might you need to do to overcome it? Do you think praying to God would help?

Learning Check

By the end of this lesson: All will be able to understand the story of Rama and Sita (Level 3-4) Most will be able to explain the moral of the story (Level 5-6) Some will be able to relate the fictional characters to “real life” people and their own struggles in modern Britain. (Level 7+)

Main Characters of the Ramayana Dasaratha -- King of Ayodhya Rama -- Dasaratha's first-born son and is regarded by many Hindus as an incarnation of the god Vishnu. Sita -- Rama's wife Bharata -- Rama's brother by Queen Kaikeyi. Hanuman -- A leader of the monkey tribe allied with Rama against Ravana. Ravana -- The 10-headed king of Lanka who abducted Sita. Lakshman -- Rama's younger brother

Role Play the Ramayana Organise yourselves into groups of 5 or 6 Give each person a character Take 5 – 10 minutes to decide what your character needs to say in the play Think about costumes and things you could bring from home, maybe a bow and arrow you can make masks for the characters and anything else you can think of! You will perform this play next lesson. This task will be formally self and peer assessed. Your group will be given a Level for Content and Performance.

Plenary Homework You must be ready to perform your play in next weeks lesson. Your group leader needs to set everyone homework In your groups, practice your play of the Rama and Sita story. If you would like to bring in any props please don’t forget them. Remember your performance will be assessed and you are working as a team – please don’t let the other members down by you not doing your homework