1. 6 ways to promote spiritual growth in primary schools and RE Lat Blaylock, RE Today lat@retoday.org.uk

2. One way to understand ‘spiritual’ is that it’s about relationships in four directions. Relating to the Transcendent: God, the ultimate, Life, the big picture, the beyond Relating to other people: love, community and family Relating to the earth: nature, planet, the environment and the universe Relating to myself: identity and self awareness: Spirituality is different for different people and at different times. Many people recognise that their identity, community, environmental and divine thinking and feelings can describe their own spirituality. For some, one of these is to the fore, but for others they are in a kind of balance. Spirituality is not just about what you do with your solitude: it has important community dimensions too. What does ‘spiritual’ mean?

4. Tell me more about the six ways... Poetry Questioning and raising questions Imagination (Jesus) Better talk Song Art

5. Jill Merlini, 7, Boxgrove Primary School God is a runner and a racer and fast. God is a swimmer, fast and not last. God is in heaven and air with the sky. God is someone who seems to fly. God is overhanging like a willow tree. So if it rains he is a shelter for me. Where is God? Elizabeth Thompson, Age 9 Where is God? He’s everywhere all around, in the air. In the meow of a cat And in the picnic spot where you sat. He’s in the sun which comes out every day And in your voice when you say come and play. He’s in the highest mountain And the smallest crumb. He’s in the good deeds of everyone. He’s in your heart and in your soul, He’s with you when you score that great goal. Where is God? He’s easily found, just look around.

6. God rhymes Taylor Richardson, Age 7 Where is God? God is in the flowers Using his powers Where is God? God is in the cloud Watching Feeling proud Where is God? God is in the sun Warming everyone Where is God? God is in the ground Hearing every sound Where is God? Catherine Bridgewood, Age 8 God is everywhere Up in heaven down on the ground God is everywhere Even sitting next to me And some more where God can be Cosy comfy in my bed Me and God in my bed Everywhere we go God is there Me and God could not be pulled apart But most of all he’s in my heart.

7. 100+ brilliant pupil’s poems on four themes Integrate well with the poetry units of the renewed literacy framework Faith Life’s like… I wonder… Where is God? £21.75 from RE Today with a fully interactive classroom disc

8. This task, to ask the questions you’d like to of ‘the person who knows everything’ is versatile across many levels. Aaron is able to work at level 2. In the RE context, he asks questions about things that matter to him. This is a high achievement for Aaron, who is in Year 1.

9. The task was to suggest questions to ask of ‘the one who knows everything’. This piece of work shows that Duncan can work at level 3. Duncan can ask important questions about religion and belief. Next steps might be to suggest answers that might come from religions studied.

10. The task was to devise questions to ask of the ‘one who knows everything’. This piece of work shows the child can work at level 3. She can ask important questions about religion and belief. Next steps might be to suggest varied answers to some of these questions

11. Zoe (9) gives evidence of achievement at level 4 – suggesting a range of answers to her puzzling religious questions and applying religious ideas for herself

13. Daisy, 9, heard the story and related it particularl y to the thoughts of the three small children up the tree.

15. Better talk about God... Strategies Circle time Pairs Trios Snowballs Talking circles / speed dating In assembly Hang out chat Topics What the children like talking about A story (challenging) An object Your own experience Praying When times are sad (distance and grounding)

16. If Jesus was the opposite of himself... He would have been born in... People would have called him... He would have made friends with... He might have lived at... He might have had servants to... He could have had... Maybe he would have been...

17. Looking for Jesus’ influence today He could have been friends with rich and famous with big celebrities had anything he wanted living as he pleased but he made friends with the poor folks with the sick and with the lame he helped them with their problems and he called them all by name CHORUS He could have been full of his importance and felt so very grand his servants would have bowed and said "Your wish is my command" but he wore a crown of thorns gave everything he had he gave his life that we might know the great love of his dad CHORUS © Fischy Music 2009 Down to Earth by Stephen Fischbacher He could have been born in a royal palace and called "Your majesty" worn a crown of diamonds and lived in luxury but he was born in a dirty stable and laid on a bed of hay not too many welcomed him on the very first Christmas Day CHORUS He is.. down to earth The one who changed the world forever is down to earth

18. A new verse... He could have been... But he was... And he... He could have driven a Ferrari at 100 miles an hour He could have worn Versace to show his kingly power But he chose a baby donkey when he came along the road Not too many recognised the humble Son of God