Unit Overview

Scripture teaches that we are all made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). This belief informs much of the Catholic Church’s social and moral teaching and shapes our understanding of human relationships. In this unit students will be encouraged to deepen their understanding of the human person; the inherent dignity and equality of all people and Christian moral decision making.

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Enduring Understanding

All people are made in God’s image and possess inherent rights as human beings.

Objectives

A student will

be aware of their personal responsibility for moral decision-making; recognise that moral decision-making can be both complex and demanding; accept the need to work with compassion for justice in the world; believe in their own potential to effect change
develop knowledge and understanding of Catholic moral teaching, its relationship to moral issues and place in personal decision-making, including its call to work for justice in the world
research into and reflect on Catholic moral teaching; develop the ability to make responsible moral decisions; apply the principles of justice and compassion in their lives

Outcomes

A student

identifies that being human involves rights and responsibilities. (RECKE7)
applies Christian beliefs and principles to decision making processes. (RECSE7)
recognises the inherent dignity of all people. (RECVE7)

Essential Questions

WHY and DO ALL human beings have dignity and equality?
How does sin affect our relationships with God, with other people and with ourselves?
How can I tell right from wrong? Why is forming and following my conscience necessary?

Learning Focus & Statements of Learning

Students will develop an appreciation of what it means to be human by
- considering the belief that all people are made in the image and likeness of God
- exploring the principle of ‘human dignity’
- identifying the core rights and responsibilities shared by all people
- exploring Genesis 1: 26-31 – God created humankind
Students will recognise and value the importance of ‘right relationships’ by
- exploring the Golden Rule (Mt 7:12) and other relevant Scripture passages
- reflecting on how they would like to be treated and how they treat others
- examining how values and attitudes shape personal behaviours
- considering how sin hurts relationships
- exploring Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule
Students will develop an understanding of Christian decision making and moral reasoning by
- examining approaches to and models of decision making
- exploring the importance of conscience
- seeking ways to form and follow their conscience
- considering and responding to a range of moral issue
- exploring 1 Peter 3: 13-17 – Suffering for doing right

Compulsory Scripture

Learning Focus 1: Genesis 1: 26-31 – God created humankind
Learning Focus 2: Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule
Learning Focus 3: 1 Peter 3: 13-17 – Suffering for doing right

Church Documents

CCC 1699-1715 Life of Christ (The Dignity of the Human Person)
CCC 1776-1785 Moral Conscience

KWL

Year 7 TKWL Chapter 17
17.1: The Way We Live: Do unto others: pp 175-176
17.2: The Dignity of the Human Person, pp. 176-77
17.3: Rights and Responsibilities, pp178-180.

Year 7 TKWL Chapter 18
18.2: Sin is… pp188-190
18.3 Sin Hurts pp191-195.

Prayer

We Gather…as a community and prepare to hear the Word of God	Prior to prayer, students contribute a photo/symbol/words on a paper link that is joined to each other’s link to form a chain (alternately this could be done using an outline of their hand, a paper doll cut out, etc) – this is to recognise both our individual uniqueness and our united likeness created in God’s image. Commence this prayer focussing on the joined photos/symbols/words inviting students to share with the class what they have contributed, emphasising this as a celebration of being created sacred and reflecting the image of God. Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Today we celebrate the sacredness of all God’s people. We are created sacred and reflect the image of God, and we are called to respect the same dignity in others. Creator God we praise you and thank you for wonderfully creating each of us. Help us to see each other and ourselves as sacred and holy. May we always recognise the dignity and worth of every person, and may we treat all with deep respect, through your Son Jesus. Amen.
We Listen… to the Word of God as it is proclaimed because Scripture is the heart of a liturgical celebration.	Reader: A Reading from the Book of Genesis (Gen 1:26-27) Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish in the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing the creeps upon the earth.” So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.
We Respond… with a ritual action such as a reflection on the Word, Prayers of the Faithful, Powerpoint, a ritual action and/or singing.	Leader: Praising God for the gift of human dignity, we pray for the heart to recognise God’s image in ourselves and in everyone we meet. The call to holiness is a call to become the best we can possibly be, and to respect all those we meet. Prayers of the Faithful For our Church, we pray. That we may be a Church that is truly ‘Catholic’, truly universal in welcoming all people. We pray to the Lord. (R) Lord, hear our prayer. For those who look to us, we pray. May we see all people through the eyes of God, recognising that all people have the right to the fullness of life. We pray to the Lord. (R) Lord, hear our prayer. For our community, we pray. To encourage and challenge one another to be aware and responsive to the wider community of God’s people. We pray to the Lord. (R) Lord, hear our prayer.
We Go Forth… into the world to do what we proclaim and to give witness to the fact that we are disciples and followers of Christ. Use a final prayer, a blessing, a song or hymn.	All: Dear God, we know that you are always with us no matter where we are or what we are doing. Help us to be people of prayer who live always in your love. May we follow Jesus Christ in all things and in all ways Through the Holy Spirit who guides our lives. Amen
Useful links

General Capabilities

Australian Curriculum
Cross Curriculum Priorities		The General Capabilities
	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures		Critical and creative thinking
	Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia		Ethical understanding
	Sustainability		Information and communication technology capability
Other important learning identified by the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA):			Intercultural understanding
	Civics and citizenship		Literacy
	Difference and diversity		Numeracy
	Work and enterprise		Personal and social capability

Life Skills

Religious Education for students studying a Life Skills program is developed from the unit outcomes, resulting in the Learning Focus and Statements of Learning. Students may demonstrate achievement of these learning statements independently or with support designed to meet the needs of the student. Such support may include:

the provision of extra time to complete tasks
physical and/or verbal assistance from others
the provision of technological support
the assistance of a scribe
participating in a group task
providing verbal or artistic responses along with written ones.

Outcome

A student

explains the concept of human dignity and describe how the Golden Rule is important for human relationships. (LRECKSE7)

Content

A student studying a Life Skills program will be able to:

Students develop an appreciation of what it means to be human
- explain the concept of human dignity.
- describe how the Golden Rule is important for human relationships.
- use a model of decision making to explore a moral decision.

Examples of Essential Questions

WHY and DO ALL human beings have dignity and equality?
Why do we need to show respect to all people?

Examples of Teaching and Learning Experiences

LS7E 1.1

Choose a person you know who is important to you, or a person (such as a House Patron) who you respect that is connected to your school. Write down as many great things about this person as you can. In two sentences, write why you love and/or respect the person.

LS7E 1.2

The Golden Rule for Christians is: “So always treat others as you would like them to treat you.” (Mt 7:12). Think about ways that you can and do treat others well and create your own poster using words and pictures that shows your understanding of the Golden Rule. Use paper and textas, or use a computer program such as PowerPoint or Keynote to create your poster.
Students read and/or view the story of the Parable of the Good Samaritan identifying characters that did/did not show forgiveness and/or compassion

LS7A 1.3

Imagine you are in class and you see a friend take the pens and pencils of the person sitting next to them without asking them first. Use the “See, Judge, Act” approach to making a decision to decide what you should do and/or say. (Note: this activity can be done one or more times and the moral dilemma/s can be provided for or created by the student depending on the level of his/her ability).

References to KWL

Year 7 TKWL Chapter 17:
17.1 The Golden Rule, p175-176.

Scripture

Matthew 7:12 – So always treat others as you would like them to treat you.
Luke 10:25-37 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan

E7 – Affirming Human Dignity