1. Ask children to bring a book to school that is special to them.
   Ask them to explain why it is special, who gave it to them, where they keep it, when they look at/read it, what is their favourite part/story and why.
   Give the children an opportunity to re-tell their favourite story/part to a friend.
   Explain that Christians receive a special book when baptised called the Bible.
   Ask the children why they think this happens.
   The children copy the front cover from their favourite books. Inside they write about why it is special to them. (3a)
   
   
2. Watch a video about the Bible with the children ('The Bible' - 'Pathways of Belief').
   Tell or read a story from the Old Testament eg Moses, David.
   Ask the children to think about the meaning of this story.
   Share the different types of writings from the Bible with the children (psalms, history, prophecy, laws). (3b,c)
   The children re-write Psalm 18 1-2 using pictures in the place of some words.
   
   
3. Invite local clergyman in to talk to the children about how the Bible is used in the Church and at home. (3d)
   Explain why Christians read from the Bible.
   Listen to a story from the New Testament, eg The Prodigal Son and discuss the meaning underlying it with the children. (3b,c)
   The children choose a piece of writing from the Bible or a teaching eg Love your neighbour and write it on a banner to hang up for public display (link with displays in Church).

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4. Watch a video about the Torah with the children. (The Torah - Pathways of Belief).
   Ask the children to describe the Torah Scroll. How is it made? What do you notice about the writing?
   Discuss what makes it special to Jewish people.
   Tell the children about the teachings and sayings found in the Torah eg The Ten Commandments. (3c)
   Explain the symbolism of the Mezuzah (importance of Torah and Jews' reliance on God) and how they show respect for it by kissing it and repeating Shema on getting up and going to bed. (3d)
   Children make own Mezuzah holders, copy part of the Shema prayer and put it inside.
   Reinforce idea of 'specialness'.
   
   
5. Remind children about the contents of the previous week's video about the Torah.
   Ask key questions: How is the Torah read? - draw out that he/she was not touching it with his/her fingers. What was being used? Did you notice the person's head was covered? Why do you think this is?
   Show the yad and let children examine it carefully. (3d)
   Explain the link between the Torah and the Bible.
   Read the story of Moses or Abraham and Sarah.
   Discuss the possible meaning/message underlying the story with the children.
   Children draw a picture from the story and write a caption underneath to explain meaning. (Some children may complete picture only) (3b,c)
   Extension activity could be to make a comparative list between Bible and Torah individually, or in pairs.
   
   
6. & 7. Revisit the idea of specialness by discussing how special books are treated by groups of people, what they tell us and how they affect the lives of people who read them.
   Ask children to choose someone who they would like to make a special book for. How will it be special?
   Individually or in pairs make a special book for someone. (3a)

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