Resource Boxes

Want a ‘hands on’ activity to enhance the children’s learning?

Why not hire one of our resource boxes, which are not only packed with artefacts – many of which schools wouldn’t have in their RE cupboards but also lots of fun and exciting activities! All of our boxes have also been designed so they are able to mitigate the risks of transmission of Covid-19, providing additional peace of mind for everyone. Please contact the office on contact@derbyopencentre.org or call 01332 360737 for more information, as risk mitigation can change depending on government guidance.

About the Boxes

We currently have one for each of the major world religions; Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhi and a Festival box that covers a variety of different festivals from each of the world religions. Each box contains a variety of artefacts made from a range of different materials – most boxes contents are worth in excess of £100. The types are artefacts included are based on the agreed syllabus and recommendations from our faith representatives from each of the different faith communities.

The resource boxes have been developed by teachers, who have excellent subject knowledge in Religious Education. The boxes have also carefully been designed to match the new agreed syllabuses, providing numerous additional learning opportunities to enhance the children’s learning further. Each box contains a minimum of ten different activities, many of which have been clearly differentiated for younger and older children. Activities focused on the senses, feelings, intuition, beliefs and values are all included, as well as many opportunities to learn from religion. All the activities are designed to be used straight from the box, with the majority needing no preparation at all (we have done all the hard work for you). They can be used with small groups or with whole classes, we have covered it all so it can suit every type of educational setting. The resource boxes have been designed to be flexible with regarding to when you may want to use them as part of the children’s learning. They can be used to introduce a faith, enhance teaching in the middle of a topic or as an assessment tool at the end of the unit. You choose what works best for you!

Feedback from people who have hired one

What’s included in each box?

Below you will find a list of all the artefacts included in each resource box and a list of activities/topics covered within each faith box. You will also see a photograph of the artefacts included and how the boxes arrive to you.

This box contains the following artefacts:

  • Islamic clothes: Hijaab, Topi and Jubbah
  • Prayer mat
  • Tasbeeh beads
  • Prayer clock
  • Dua stickers
  • Kaa’ba model
  • Rehal – Qur’an stand
  • Holy Qur’an
  • Arabic alphabet poster
  • Ramadan calendar

Each artefact comes in its own cloth bag.

Also included are extensive notes covering the teachings behind each object, how they are used, and meaning to believers.

Suggested activities include:

  • Labelling games that can be used to introduce or conclude learning.
  • Focus on clothes – human bar chart discussion activity with older child extension question.
  • Tactile activities for all ages leading to sorting task. Older children can practice design skills and examine a case study.
  • Focus on prayer – looking at artefacts with discussion. Prayer movements activity. Also quotes from Muslim children activities in younger and older children versions.
  • Focus on Kaa’ba – differentiated craft activities and role play Hajj interview.
    Focus on Holy Qur’an – Suggested video links and simple written story of the revelation. Younger child discussion and drawing task. Older child extension looking at selected quotes form the Holy Qur’an.
  • Focus on Arabic – Art is Islam, symmetry drawing activity and 99 names of Allah task.
  • Focus on Ramadan – calendar activity

This box contains the following artefacts:

  • Tallit (prayer shawl)
  • Kippah (head covering)
  • Mezuzah case
  • Candlesticks and candles
  • Challah cover
  • Kiddush cup
  • Havdalah candle
  • Seder plate
  • Yad (pointer for reading the Torah)
  • Siddur (prayer book)
  • Dreidl (Hanukkah spinning top)
  • Hebrew pronunciations on a sound button

Each artefact comes in its own cloth bag.

Also included are comprehensive notes covering diversity within the Jewish tradition, pronunciation of Hebrew terms, the teachings behind each object, how they are used, and meaning to believers. Suggested activities include:

  • Categorization activities that can be used with all age groups including introductory and unit end tasks.
  • Memory games and labelling activities
  • Focus on Tallit/Kippah – Discussion based activities with maths, research-based, and case study extension tasks for older children
  • Shabbat artefacts – younger children’s story book plus Shabbat table investigation for all ages, as well as craft activities, differentiated video links, and discussion-based activities.
  • Focus on Mezuzah – differentiated tasks with video links
  • Focus on Yad – discussion questions and suggested video links
  • Focus on Dreidl – game instructions suitable for all ages
  • Focus on Seder plate – differentiated symbolic foods activity.

This box contains the following artefacts:

  • Murti of Lord Ganesha
  • Puja Thali (tray)
  • Incense
  • Diva lamp
  • Aarti lamp
  • Brass Om
  • Jai mala (flower garland)
  • Mala beads (prayer/meditation beads)
  • Sari
  • Om sound button

Each artefact comes in its own cloth bag.

Included are detailed notes covering Hindu diversity, the teachings behind each object, how they are used and meaning to believers. Suggested activities include:

  • Labelling and memory games adaptable to beginning or end of unit.
  • Drawing game
  • Hindu shrine drawing with odd one out and annotation activities
  • Focus on Diva lamp – craft and discussion activities
  • Focus on Om – meditation/listening activity
  • Focus on Sari – tactile activity
  • Sensory Puja – experience Puja through the senses
  • Jai Mala craft activity with welcome role play

This box contains the following artefacts:

  • The 5 Ks – Kachera, Kirpan, Kara, Kangha
  • 5K necklace
  • Head coverings – Turban fabric, Patkha, Chunni
  • Brass Ek Onkar
  • Brass Khanda
  • Nishaan Sahib banner
  • Amrit bowl
  • Poster of the Gurus
  • Punjabi Alphabet book
  • Picture of the Sri Harimander Sahib

Each artefact comes in its own cloth bag.

Also included are extensive notes covering diversity in Sikhi, the teachings behind each object, how they are used, and meaning to believers.  Suggested activities include:

  • Introductory activities – feely bag and drawing game
  • Label cards with a variety of activities
  • Categorisation activity
  • Focus on the 5Ks – discussion activities, drawing game, and question generating task. Suggested online links.
  • Focus on Sikh symbols – discussion activities, art and craft tasks and younger children’s puzzle. Older children flag symbolism activity. Older children’s comparing statements of beliefs sheet.
  • Focus on the Gurus – research task and quiz.
  • Focus on the Amrit bowl – differentiated story video links
  • Focus on Punjabi – video links and older children’s extension on language trees.
  • Focus on Harmandir Sahib – Guided imagining and art activity. Langar hall snack time and older children’s extension case study. Hot seating drama task.

This box contains the following artefacts:

  • Cross
  • Crucifix
  • Statue of Virgin Mary
  • Rosary beads
  • Communion items – cup, plate and host
  • Hymn book and Methodist prayerbook
  • Candle
  • Examples of Christian art.

Each item comes in its own cloth bag.

Also included are extensive notes covering Christian diversity, the teachings behind each object, how they are used, and meaning to believers.  Suggested activities include:

  • Introductory activities including mystery object, a variety of labelling tasks, and group draw.
  • Treasure hunt
  • Focus on the Virgin Mary – younger children’s story of Mary of the Miraculous medal activity. Older children’s option looking at appearances of the Blessed Virgin.
  • Focus on prayer and hymn book – introduction to prayer, versions of the Lord’s Prayer, Yes/no/maybe debate and older children extension tasks on types of prayer. Hymn listening activity.
  • Focus on Communion – spot the difference activity with older children’s extension.
  • Focus on Rosary – well-being beads activity.
  • Focus on Icon – differentiated younger and older children’s tasks
  • Focus on the Cross – art activity
  • Focus on candle – Jesus’ ‘I am sayings’

Festivals covered in this box:

  • Muslim festivals
    • Ramadan
    • Eid ul Fitr
    • Eid ul Adha
  • Hindu Festivals
    • Diwali
  • Sikh Festivals
    • Vaisakhi
  • Jewish Festivals
    • Sukkot and Simchat Torah
    • Hanukkah
    • Pesach
  • Christian Festivals
    • Christmas
    • Holy week
    • Easter

This box contains:

  • Muslim artefacts:
    • Sedaqah box
    • Iftar poster
    • Eid decorations
    • Recipes
  • Hindu artefacts:
    • Diva lamps
    • Rama and Sita murti
    • Diwali cards
    • Rangoli pattern examples
  • Sikh artefacts:
    • Nishan Sahib
    • Guru Gobind Singh picture
    • Bunting
  • Jewish artefacts:
    • Crocheted etrog
    • Sukkah decoration
    • Simchat Torah flag
    • Hanukiyah and candles
    • Dreidl
    • Latke recipe
    • Matzah cloth
    • Haggadah
    • Seder plate
  • Christian artefacts:
    • Palm cross
    • Maundy money (replica)
    • Chalice
    • Crucifix
    • Paschal candle
    • Orthodox painted eggs
    • Cross

Items come in their own cloth bag.

Also included are extensive notes on the festivals of each faith including a basic summary, associated stories, themes, and the teachings behind each artefact, how they are used, and meaning to believers.  Suggested activities include:

Muslim Holy days:

  • A list of useful videos
  • A list of craft activities
  • Thinking about fasting activities
  • Ramadan Maths
  • Thinking about charity activities
  • Thankfulness board
  • Looking at the story of prophets Ibrahim and Ishmail (peace be upon them)

Hindu Holy days:

  • A list of useful videos
  • A list of craft activities
  • Reflection on light
  • Engaging with the story activities
  • Practices diamond ranking exercise

Sikh Holy days:

  • A list of useful videos
  • A list of craft activities
  • Engaging with the story activities
  • Thinking about the Khalsa
  • Thinking about how art communicates importance

Jewish Holy days:

  • A list of useful videos
  • Thinking about special guests
  • Sukkah building
  • Sukkah decorations
  • Our favourite books
  • Simchat Torah flags
  • Playing Dreidl
  • Thinking about religious freedom
  • Chag HaBanot
  • Hanukkah music
  • Hanukkah Food tasting
  • Thinking about family stories
  • Moses Hot seat
  • Spring cleaning
  • The 4 questions
  • Seder picture activity

Christian Holy Days:

  • A list of useful videos
  • A list of craft activities
  • Holy week boxes
  • Design a church banner
  • Thinking about the Last Supper
  • Cross reflection
  • Thinking about Easter eggs

Delivery Information

There are a few options regarding how you can get your hands on one of our resource boxes.

Courier Services – We can arrange a courier to collect the box from the Open Centre and deliver it to your preferred location and then at the end of your hire period, we can arrange to have it picked up. All you will need to do for collection is to print the return label and stick it onto the outer cardboard delivery box. We do all the hard work for you by finding you the best courier price. This sometimes means, the courier collecting the box may be different to the one who delivered it.

Collection by you – If you or one of your colleagues lives near the Open Centre, you may be able to collect the resource box in person. As long as you let us know when you would like to collect – we can ensure someone is available to pass the box over.

Open Centre drop off – If you are a local school to the Open Centre, one of our friendly staff may be able to drop the resource box off at your school, for free. Our office staff will let you know when we may be able to drop off/collect and will let you know which member of our team will be doing this. Please see our staff page to see who that person is.

Hire Period

Our standard hire period for a resource box is two weeks. Our boxes include enough activities so that the children can explore a new activity each day. If you would like to hire our resource box(es) for longer, please don’t hesitate to contact us on contact@derbyopencentre.org or on 01332 360737.

Costs

Our standard resource box costs £50 for a two week hire + delivery (if required). However we often run discounts on a monthly basis so please keep checking our social media pages or why not ask to join our mailing list for up to date offers! If you would like to join our mailing list, please contact Sabina on admin@derbyopencentre.org and ask to join the list.

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