Does the language of scripture matter?
Exploring the ancient and translated languages of scripture and investigating its importance to many believers today.
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Describe some oral traditions in some ancient societies.
- Understand the reasons written traditions developed.
- Discuss why new languages develop as a result of diaspora.
- Consider the role of Biblical Hebrew and Classical Arabic for many Jewish and Muslim people today.
- Identify religious and cultural uses of Hebrew and Arabic.
- Describe why some believers choose to learn and read the language of their religious scripture.
- Identify an ancient language, a translation and a commentary in a copy of a page of scripture.
- Consider what might be holy to a believer.
- Describe how translations, the creation of scripts like Gurmukhi and artwork made religious teachings more accessible.
- Reflect on why some scriptures have no art or symbols.
Suggested prior learning
Why is the Bible the best-selling book of all time?
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Teacher video: Does the language of scripture matter?
Lessons
Lesson 1: What came before written scripture?
Lesson 2: How has Biblical Hebrew evolved?
Lesson 3: Is all Arabic the same?
Lesson 4: Should prayers be said in their ‘original’ languages?
Lesson 5: How important are translations of religious scripture?
Lesson 6: Why does some religious scripture contain artwork?
Key skills
- Identifying similarities
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Key knowledge
To know:
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Key vocabulary
classical
commentary
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Unit resources
Assessment: Does the language of scripture matter?
Assessment: Does the language of scripture matter? Assessment resources for this unit. Use
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Vocabulary display: Does the language of scripture matter?
Vocabulary display: Does the language of scripture matter? 
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Knowledge organiser
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Long-term plan
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Key vocabulary Vocabulary progression document that outlines the
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Cross-curricular opportunities
English: Reading- comprehension; Spoken language.
History
RSE: Respectful relationships.
British values: Mutual respect; Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; Rule of law.
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Who should get to be in charge?
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