Big Questions Big Answers Vol. 5 – Investigating How We Live
Theme: Investigating How We Live
The fifth volume in the Big Questions Big Answers series offers clear and knowledge rich substantive content about some aspects of how people live their lives: rites of passage through baby welcoming, beliefs helping in difficult times, food, Muslim worship and Eid-ul-Adha festival, and the gurdwara and the local community. There is clear substantive content about aspects of living for some non-religious people, Sikhs, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Christians.
Units in the book feature case studies, interviews and photos from generous members of several communities.
The multidisciplinary or, to use Ofsted language, ‘ways of working’ unit for 9–11s reintroduces religious studies and sociology with our disciplinary experts Dr Chris Cotter and Dr Rachael Shillitoe.
Select a topic to explore resources
- Investigator briefing: how we live
- What do people from different religions do to welcome babies?
- How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times?
- How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat?
- How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals?
- What is the role and impact of the gurdwara on Sikhs and local communities?
eResource
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Investigating how we live Unit 1: Investigator briefing
- Internal
Investigating how we live Unit 1: Investigator briefingIntroduction to exploring ethical living, focusing on how beliefs shape personal accountability, empathy, and respectful society.
Clips on infant baptism
- ExternalRE:QUEST Rites of passage: infant baptism
- ExternalWhat is a Christian baptism? BBC Teach: My Life, My Religion - Christianity, hosted on YouTube
- ExternalRE:QUEST for pictures
- External2.1 Pictures of Grace and Samit
Member Only Content
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Powerpoint presentation: What do people from different religions do to welcome babies?
- Internal
What do people from different religions do to welcome babies? PPT (BQBA5)Explore what religious clothing symbolizes across faiths, helping students understand how attire reflects beliefs and cultural identity.
Investigating how we live Unit 2: What do people from different religions do to welcome babies?
- Internal
Welcoming Samit’s new brother – the mundan ceremony! Flipbook (BQBA5)Flipbook (available online) with turnable pages, showing family photos from a Hindu mundan ceremony to welcome baby Dheeraj into Samit's family. Supports BQBA vol 5: Investigating how we live, section 2. - Internal
Investigating how we live Unit 2: What do people from different religions do to welcome babies?Exploring religious and cultural traditions for welcoming new life across Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.
External links
- ExternalFor teachers: What is Humanism? Understanding Humanism website
- ExternalWhy do people suffer? – KS3 Religious Studies, BBC Bitesize
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Christian and Humanist thoughts about difficult times BQBA5
- Internal
Christian and Humanist thoughts about difficult times BQBA5 (3.2)A comparative RE resource exploring Christian and Humanist views on resilience, offering perspectives on empathy and coping in difficult times.
Powerpoint presentation: How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times?
- Internal
How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times? PPT (BQBA5)PowerPoint on coping with difficult times in Christian and non-religious contexts.
Investigating how we live Unit 3: How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times?
- Internal
Investigating how we live Unit 3: How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times?Understanding how Christians and non-religious people cope with difficult times through religious and secular support systems.
External links
- ExternalTeacher and older pupil information film Religious Studies KS3: K is for Kosher - BBC Teach
- ExternalFurther information can be found in the knowledge section of RE:ONLINE
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
4.1a Full-page question grid (from p. 19) In real life: food and belief
- Internal
In real life: food and belief – question grid BQBA5 (4.1a)Question grid on "Food and Belief," aiding student exploration of dietary practices across cultures and religions.
Powerpoint presentation: How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat?
- Internal
How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat? PPT (BQBA5)PowerPoint on the impact of beliefs on food choices and dietary habits.
Investigating how we live Unit 4: How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat?
- Internal
Investigating how we live Unit 4: How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat?Exploring dietary choices influenced by religious beliefs and ethical motivations, including halal, kosher, and vegetarianism.
External links
- ExternalMuslims in Britain website: lists all the mosques in your area – and in the UK. Many of them have web pages that give details of worship and festivities
- ExternalLook at how Birmingham Muslims celebrate Eid in the park (BBC News report 20 July 2021, with film clip and photos)
eResources
- External5.2 ‘Climbing wall’ sentence maker sheet
- External5.2 ‘Climbing wall’ answers
- External5.3 ‘Why do Muslims…?’ (Resource 5.3 on page 25) as a full page
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
5.4 Cloze writing exercise from p. 22 as full page (supports Activity 4 on p. 22)
- Internal
Cloze writing exercise BQBA5 (5.4)Cloze exercise exploring sincerity, helping students engage with themes of honesty and integrity through structured reflection.
5.5 ‘Why do Muslims worship?’ (Resource 5.5 on page 25) as a full page
- Internal
Why do Muslims worship? BQBA5 (5.5)Explanation of Islamic worship and its significance in expressing faith.
Powerpoint presentation: How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals?
- Internal
How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals? PPT (BQBA5)PowerPoint on Muslim worship practices and festival observance.
Investigating how we live Unit 5: How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals?
- Internal
Investigating how we live Unit 5: How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals?Exploring Islamic practices like salat, sawm, and Eid, highlighting commitment to faith and community in worship and festivals.
External Links
eResources
- ExternalExtended investigator files from our discipline experts: Religious studies
- External6.5 Case study 3: Food parcels and hot meal delivery in Scotland (Sikh Food Bank)
- External6.6 Some teachings on sewa from the Guru Granth Sahib
- External6.7 Research report: analysing the evidence (worksheet)
- External6.8 List of evidence and case studies (a list of the resources available for section 6 which provide evidence and case studies to support the topic)
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Pupil booklet: Investigating how we live
- Internal
Investigating how we live Unit 6: What is the role and impact of the gurdwara?Examining the role of the gurdwara in Sikhism, focusing on community support, seva, equality, and cultural identity.
Select a topic to explore resources
Investigator briefing: how we liveWhat do people from different religions do to welcome babies?How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times?How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat?How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals?What is the role and impact of the gurdwara on Sikhs and local communities?
eResource
Member Only Content
Investigating how we live Unit 1: Investigator briefing
- Internal Investigating how we live Unit 1: Investigator briefingIntroduction to exploring ethical living, focusing on how beliefs shape personal accountability, empathy, and respectful society.
Clips on infant baptism
- ExternalRE:QUEST Rites of passage: infant baptism
- ExternalWhat is a Christian baptism? BBC Teach: My Life, My Religion - Christianity, hosted on YouTube
- ExternalRE:QUEST for pictures
- Internal2.1 Pictures of Grace and Samit
Member Only Content
Powerpoint presentation: What do people from different religions do to welcome babies?
- Internal What do people from different religions do to welcome babies? PPT (BQBA5)Explore what religious clothing symbolizes across faiths, helping students understand how attire reflects beliefs and cultural identity.
Investigating how we live Unit 2: What do people from different religions do to welcome babies?
- Internal Welcoming Samit’s new brother – the mundan ceremony! Flipbook (BQBA5)Flipbook (available online) with turnable pages, showing family photos from a Hindu mundan ceremony to welcome baby Dheeraj into Samit's family. Supports BQBA vol 5: Investigating how we live, section 2.
- Internal Investigating how we live Unit 2: What do people from different religions do to welcome babies?Exploring religious and cultural traditions for welcoming new life across Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.
External links
- ExternalFor teachers: What is Humanism? Understanding Humanism website
- ExternalWhy do people suffer? – KS3 Religious Studies, BBC Bitesize
Member Only Content
Christian and Humanist thoughts about difficult times BQBA5
- Internal Christian and Humanist thoughts about difficult times BQBA5 (3.2)A comparative RE resource exploring Christian and Humanist views on resilience, offering perspectives on empathy and coping in difficult times.
Powerpoint presentation: How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times?
- Internal How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times? PPT (BQBA5)PowerPoint on coping with difficult times in Christian and non-religious contexts.
Investigating how we live Unit 3: How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times?
- Internal Investigating how we live Unit 3: How do Christians and non-religious people deal with difficult times?Understanding how Christians and non-religious people cope with difficult times through religious and secular support systems.
External links
- ExternalTeacher and older pupil information film Religious Studies KS3: K is for Kosher - BBC Teach
- ExternalFurther information can be found in the knowledge section of RE:ONLINE
Member Only Content
4.1a Full-page question grid (from p. 19) In real life: food and belief
- Internal In real life: food and belief – question grid BQBA5 (4.1a)Question grid on "Food and Belief," aiding student exploration of dietary practices across cultures and religions.
Powerpoint presentation: How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat?
- Internal How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat? PPT (BQBA5)PowerPoint on the impact of beliefs on food choices and dietary habits.
Investigating how we live Unit 4: How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat?
- Internal Investigating how we live Unit 4: How does what you believe affect what you choose to eat?Exploring dietary choices influenced by religious beliefs and ethical motivations, including halal, kosher, and vegetarianism.
External links
- ExternalMuslims in Britain website: lists all the mosques in your area – and in the UK. Many of them have web pages that give details of worship and festivities
- ExternalLook at how Birmingham Muslims celebrate Eid in the park (BBC News report 20 July 2021, with film clip and photos)
eResources
- Internal5.2 ‘Climbing wall’ sentence maker sheet
- Internal5.2 ‘Climbing wall’ answers
- Internal5.3 ‘Why do Muslims…?’ (Resource 5.3 on page 25) as a full page
Member Only Content
5.4 Cloze writing exercise from p. 22 as full page (supports Activity 4 on p. 22)
- Internal Cloze writing exercise BQBA5 (5.4)Cloze exercise exploring sincerity, helping students engage with themes of honesty and integrity through structured reflection.
5.5 ‘Why do Muslims worship?’ (Resource 5.5 on page 25) as a full page
- Internal Why do Muslims worship? BQBA5 (5.5)Explanation of Islamic worship and its significance in expressing faith.
Powerpoint presentation: How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals?
- Internal How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals? PPT (BQBA5)PowerPoint on Muslim worship practices and festival observance.
Investigating how we live Unit 5: How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals?
- Internal Investigating how we live Unit 5: How do Muslims show their commitment in worship and festivals?Exploring Islamic practices like salat, sawm, and Eid, highlighting commitment to faith and community in worship and festivals.
External Links
eResources
- InternalExtended investigator files from our discipline experts: Religious studies
- Internal6.5 Case study 3: Food parcels and hot meal delivery in Scotland (Sikh Food Bank)
- Internal6.6 Some teachings on sewa from the Guru Granth Sahib
- Internal6.7 Research report: analysing the evidence (worksheet)
- Internal6.8 List of evidence and case studies (a list of the resources available for section 6 which provide evidence and case studies to support the topic)
Member Only Content
Pupil booklet: Investigating how we live
- Internal Investigating how we live Unit 6: What is the role and impact of the gurdwara?Examining the role of the gurdwara in Sikhism, focusing on community support, seva, equality, and cultural identity.
