Religious and values education
Symbols of faith
Match six symbols with the religious traditions and places of worship shown, then use meaning cards to explore how symbols matter to people. Pupils can finish by drawing or describing a symbol of their own.
Look at the symbols with care and respect. Use the full task to match each religion and place of worship.
Read the complete materialRead the material
Match six symbols with the religious traditions and places of worship shown, then use meaning cards to explore how symbols matter to people. Pupils can finish by drawing or describing a symbol of their own.
Activity. Use the preview for diagrams and layout.
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NAME CLASS DATE LEARNING GOAL Recognise six religious symbols and what they mean to the people who use them. SUCCESS CRITERIA I can match a symbol to its religion. I can name each religion's place of worship. I can explain what symbols do for people. Use a ruler. Join each symbol to its religion. Then join the religion to its place of worship. SYMBOL RELIGION PLACE OF WORSHIP No. 1 A Buddhism P synagogue No. 2 B Christianit y Q mandir No. 3 C Hinduism R temple or vihara No. 4 D Islam S church No. 5 E Judaism T gurdwara No. 6 F Sikhism U mosque Curator's note: these symbols are special to the people who use them. Treat them with care and respect. Religious practices and symbolism R E L I G I O U S E D U C A T I O N A G E S 9 T O 1 2 S Y M B O L S A N D W O R S H I P Symbols of faith Match each symbol to a religion and a place of worship. 1 The symbol collection Gallery 1 12 marks ॐ 2 Meaning 3 Teacher 1 Match Page 1 of 2
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Write the religion on the line. Write the letter of its meaning card in the box. No. 1 RELIGION MEANING No. 2 RELIGION MEANING No. 3 RELIGION MEANING No. 4 RELIGION MEANING No. 5 RELIGION MEANING No. 6 RELIGION MEANING Give two or three ideas. Explain each one. Words to help: remember · belong · pray · feel · without words Try: “Symbols help people to ... because ...” Go further: design a class symbol. Religious practices and symbolism R E L I G I O U S E D U C A T I O N S Y M B O L S O F F A I T H M E A N I N G S What do the symbols mean? 2 Read the meaning cards Archive A Om is a sacred sound and symbol in Hinduism. Many Hindus chant it when they pray or meditate. B The Dharma wheel has eight spokes. They stand for the Noble Eightfold Path, the Buddha’s teaching on how to live. C The Star of David is a six-pointed star made of two triangles. It is a symbol of Judaism and the Jewish people. D The cross reminds Christians of Jesus’ death and resurrection. E The Khanda is a symbol of Sikhism. Its parts stand for belief in one God and for truth and justice. F The crescent and star is widely used as a symbol of Islam, but many Muslims do not see it as an official symbol of Islam. MEANING FILE 3 Label each object Gallery 2 12 marks ॐ 4 What do symbols do for people? Studio 3 marks YOUR SYMBOL 1 Match 3 Teacher 2 Meaning Page 2 of 2
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Symbols of faith Teacher companion Religious Education | Pupils aged 9 to 12 Use with the exact 2-page original file. Keep pupil or staff activity pages separate from this teacher companion. When to use it Use this as a supported introduction to symbols in six religious traditions. Invite careful looking and questions before pupils match each image. The final discussion asks pupils to explain what a symbol can do for people, rather than treating a symbol as a simple label. Purpose Identify six symbols and connect them with the traditions, places of worship and meanings presented on the sheet; explain one possible role of symbols using a reason. Start here Read the curator’s note together: symbols can be special to the people who use them and should be treated with care. Clarify unfamiliar terms, then model matching one image to the information provided. A teaching sequence 1. Use the ruler prompt to draw a line from each of the six symbols to one listed tradition, then connect that tradition to a place of worship shown on the page. 2. Read the six meaning cards and write the tradition and card letter in the matching spaces. Use the wording on the cards as evidence for the choice. 3. Choose two or three ideas from the word bank, such as remember, belong or pray, and explain how a symbol may matter to people. 4. As an optional creative response, design a class symbol and explain what its features represent. Checking guidance Symbol 1: Judaism E, synagogue P, meaning C. Symbol 2: Buddhism A, temple/vihara R, meaning B. Symbol 3: Sikhism F, gurdwara T, meaning E. Symbol 4: Christianity B, church S, meaning D. Symbol 5: Islam D, mosque U, meaning F. Symbol 6: Hinduism C, mandir Q, meaning A. These letters follow this exact worksheet. Retain its qualification about the crescent and star; do not present it as an official symbol accepted by every Muslim. Interpretive responses should give a respectful reason, without personal-faith disclosure. Support Model one match aloud and leave the corresponding card visible. Offer symbol and meaning cards one at a time, allow pointing or oral responses, and provide the frame “This may help people ___ because ___.” Do not ask a pupil to speak for a faith community. Take it further Invite pupils to compare two symbols by the ideas their meaning cards express. They can propose a different class symbol and explain how its shape, colour or parts communicate a shared idea, while making clear that their design is their own. Things to keep in mind The examples are brief descriptions, not a complete account of any religion or the beliefs of all its members. Place names, symbolism and practice vary across communities. Use respectful, locally accurate teaching and do not ask pupils to disclose or represent personal faith. Symbols of faith Teacher companion | Page 1
A teaching sequence
Identify six symbols and connect them with the traditions, places of worship and meanings presented on the sheet; explain one possible role of symbols using a reason.
Look at the symbols with care and respect. Use the full task to match each religion and place of worship.
Read the complete materialMatch the printed symbols and traditions
Use the ruler prompt to draw a line from each of the six symbols to one listed tradition, then connect that tradition to a place of worship shown on the page.
Which printed symbol and worship-place example belong together on this sheet?
Use the meaning cards as evidence
Read the six meaning cards and write the tradition and card letter in the matching spaces. Use the wording on the cards as evidence for the choice.
Which card wording supports the tradition and letter selected?
Explain what symbols may do for people
Choose two or three ideas from the word bank, such as remember, belong or pray, and explain how a symbol may matter to people.
How might this symbol help remember, belong or communicate without words?
Design an optional class symbol
As an optional creative response, design a class symbol and explain what its features represent.
What does each chosen feature represent for the class?
Before you teach
Look for the thinking behind an answer, choose the support your class needs and leave room for an independent response.
What to look for
Symbol 1: Judaism E, synagogue P, meaning C. Symbol 2: Buddhism A, temple/vihara R, meaning B. Symbol 3: Sikhism F, gurdwara T, meaning E. Symbol 4: Christianity B, church S, meaning D. Symbol 5: Islam D, mosque U, meaning F. Symbol 6: Hinduism C, mandir Q, meaning A. These letters follow this exact worksheet. Retain its qualification about the crescent and star; do not present it as an official symbol accepted by every Muslim. Interpretive responses should give a respectful reason, without personal-faith disclosure.
Give a little support
Model one match aloud and leave the corresponding card visible. Offer symbol and meaning cards one at a time, allow pointing or oral responses, and provide the frame “This may help people ___ because ___.” Do not ask a pupil to speak for a faith community.
Take the idea further
Invite pupils to compare two symbols by the ideas their meaning cards express. They can propose a different class symbol and explain how its shape, colour or parts communicate a shared idea, while making clear that their design is their own.
Things to keep in mind
The examples are brief descriptions, not a complete account of any religion or the beliefs of all its members. Place names, symbolism and practice vary across communities. Use respectful, locally accurate teaching and do not ask pupils to disclose or represent personal faith.
Keep the idea. Make it yours.
Bring your topic, learning goal and class context to PLAI™, then review what you create.
Ideas to try with your class
Sample teaching perspectives on what to try, what to adapt and what to watch for.
Meet The Creators
Meet a creator whose teaching interests connect with this template.
Pencil Case Pal
The two-page sheet asks pupils to match six symbols with the religions and places of worship named in its table, then explain one possible role of a symbol using a reason.
Notes Between Bells
Matching symbols, traditions and places of worship creates a structured starting point for discussing how symbols matter to people. The final explanation moves beyond matching toward meaning.
Good Question
Check the pictured symbols and labels one at a time, then invite pupils to explain a possible meaning using the sheet's wording. Allow respectful questions where a learner's tradition uses a symbol differently.
Tea Break Notes
The six pairings are a limited classroom selection, not a complete description of any religion. Verify each label with reliable tradition-specific sources and avoid presenting one symbol as representative of every adherent.