Working with Religious Artefacts

Artefacts play an important part in the religious lives of believers, and although books, videos and teachers can introduce pupils to facts about religions, artefacts can bring the living experience of the believer into the classroom. Through the artefact,"…we can join in [the believer's] search for what is important, what is true." (Vida Barnett: 'Exploring Artefacts') The artefact can also be used as a lens through which the pupil is invited to reflect on his or her life.

METHOD

Most artefacts have their existence within the context of use in religion and are meant to be used. This means that most artefacts should be handled and not simply used as a visual aid or in a display. There follows five suggestions for the use of artefacts in the classroom:

a) A symbol - e.g. The Sikh kara symbolises the oneness of God and their oneness with each other.

The artefact can be examined, touched, passed round the class. Its symbolic nature and meaning can be discussed. This can lead into a general study of the beliefs and practices of the religion.

b) A focus - e.g. Statue of the Virgin Mary.

A suitable artefact can be used as a focus for a stilling exercise or simply for pupils' thoughts. It is a valuable way of giving pupils the opportunity to experience something that is at the heart of many religions. Allow them to look at the artefact in silence and ask them what it made them think and how it made them feel. Explain what it is and how it is used. Do they think it is a useful aid to worship? This could then lead into a study of worship.

c) To convey a message - e.g. The Qur'an.

Sometimes a central belief of a religion can be conveyed most successfully through the use and treatment of an artefact by the teacher. Pupils may watch in silence while the teacher washes her hands and carefully takes the Qur'an from its high position and sets it on the stand. The teacher may then ask pupils why she has treated it in this way. ( Because Muslims believe it contains the Word of God and because it is right to respect others' beliefs. The teacher has been handling the Qur'an in the same way as would a Muslim believer.)

d) As part of a simulation of a ceremony

The greatest value of all artefacts is clearly in their use. e.g. Hindu puja (See section on Simulation)

e) The Five Senses Approach

Artefacts appeal to all five senses. A careful choice of artefacts can provide an excellent framework for a study of one religion in depth. e.g. Christianity; rosary beads (touch) : prayer, devotion, commitment, incense (smell) : prayer, God, the cross (sight) : Jesus. suffering, Resurrection, organ music/hymns (hearing): faith, beauty, majesty, bread and wine(taste) : Communion with God and each other, sacrifice, remembrance.

POSSIBLE PITFALLS

a) All religious artefacts should be used, stored and displayed with care and respect by both pupils and teachers. Touching them should always be a privilege, if the pupils are to understand the artefact's worth to the believer.

b) Avoid an approach to artefacts which plays on the exotic or curiosity angle. Always prepare pupils before an artefact is introduced.

c) It is important to teach pupils that not all members of a faith use the same artefacts or treat them in the same way. e.g. Some Christians see statues as an integral part of the expression of their faith, others see them as violations of the first Commandment, "You shall not make a graven image."

d) Not all activities involving religious artefacts are in themselves R.E. It is not simply the artefact itself which is important, but the religious concepts or beliefs to which it points. Simply recreating an artefact without investigating its meaning and purpose could be a craft activity, not RE!

An interesting way of introducing artefacts to KS1 pupils is the "Gift to the Child" Project (printed by Simon and Schuster ). The full pack includes a Teacher's Source Book, fourteen story books and a cassette tape - you have to supply your own artefacts! It contains materials from all six faith traditions.

RESOURCES

Suppliers of RE Artefacts Include:

Articles of Faith
Resource House, Kay Street, Bury, Lancs BL9 6BU.
Tel: 0161-7636232

Religions in Evidence
TTS, Monk Road, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 7RL
Tel: 0800-318686

Clearvision Trust (Buddhism)
16-20 Turner Street, Manchester M4 1DZ
Tel: 0161-8399579

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