"Exploring the concept of Citizenship in the RE lesson is held by many teachers to be a good idea. It is valuable to connect this theme with the wider moral and spiritual view that RE teaching seeks to present to pupils; it can also enrich RE with a practical and perhaps sometimes topical thread. But there have been few resources which can support the teacher in establishing this connection.
Therefore 'Citizenship through Religious Education' may be seen as a long-awaited and most welcome resource for the RE department. Firstly, it provides creative and thought-provoking learning opportunities which enable students to imagine a better local and global future. Secondly, it provides inspiration to respond to this both individually and collectively, without watering down specific religious skills and concepts.
The book starts with an introduction by the series editor explaining the rationale behind the book and gives a summary of the book's contents. A section follows that offers guidance on progression and assessment, which are always somewhat challenging, especially when tackled in a cross-curricular way. This is linked to the latest National Curriculum Programmes of Study. Specific curriculum links are also identified.
There are five units in the books that explore the themes of conflict resolution, identity, freedom, human rights, community cohesions, and democracy. They also examine specific religious issues such as religious identity, how local communities might become more responsive to their citizens' religious needs and the place of religion within public life in the twenty-first century. Although most topics could be taught to Key Stage 3 students, this latter theme has probably more mileage with older students.
Each chapter is laid out superbly. The effective typography ensures clarity and comprehension, as does the imaginitive use of key questions to head each unit and resource. With regard to content, each chapter starts with some background information for the teacher that sets the theme in context.
The aims for the theme are identified clearly, as are the resources to be used. There then follow four or five lessons that are set out with the lesson objectives in three parts, along with an extension activity. The majority of the suggested main activities are to be undertaken in groups, but not all.
This is an excellent book and one that is highly recommended for any RE teacher who is keen to deliver cross-curricular Citizenship themes and concepts within the Religious Education lesson in a clear, rigorous and exciting way."
- Jackie Metcalfe, RE Today Magazine, April 2010