AIM:To look at the importance of Guru Nanak to Sikhs

Starter: Write Down 5 things you associate with birthdays and

who you think this man is.

Guru Nanak’s Birthday

Classwork

Key Facts about Sikhism:

Sikhism is the youngest world religions, it is about 500 years old

The founding father or leader of Sikhism was Guru Nanak

Sikhism has about 20 million followers worldwide

Guru Granth Sahib

21st November 2010 Born 1469

Guru Nanak’s Birthday Celebrations

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AIM:To show my understanding of the importance of Guru Nanak to Sikhs

Starter:

Complete the wordsearch

Guru Nanak’s Birthday (2)

Classwork

• Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in a village called Talwandi in the Punjab region. This village is now called Nanakana Sahib (Nanak's village). Punjab is now split between India and Pakistan.

• Even when Nanak was young, he was a very spiritual person. He spent lots of time praying and thinking about God. His father wanted him to work as a businessman, but Nanak preferred to meditate and to help the poor.

• He saw that Muslims and Hindus in Punjab did not like or respect each other. Although he was brought up as a Hindu, Nanak also had Muslim friends, because he believed that all people were brothers and sisters, no matter what their religion.

• One day, Nanak had an amazing experience. He was bathing in the river with friends when suddenly he disappeared. His friends thought he had drowned, and were very upset.

• But 3 days later, he came back. He said he had been with God.Nanak said: 'There is no Hindu, and no Muslim’. He meant that differences between religions were not important. Only worshipping God and living a good life were important. He began to travel and preach his message to the people.

• Nanak became known as a Guru, or spiritual guide. He was much loved. Before he died in 1539 he passed on the title of Guru to his follower Bhai Lehna. His writings were collected and became the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scriptures.

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GURPURBS are Sikh festivals which celebrate the lives of the Gurus

Men wear traditional Sikh Costume

How it is Celebrated?

GURPURBS are Sikh festivals which celebrate the lives of the Gurus

The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, is read continuously beginning to end on the day before the birthday processions are held in India and some parts of Britain.

How it is Celebrated?

GURPURBS are Sikh festivals which celebrate the lives of the Gurus

These are followed by singers musicians and even teams of people demonstrating martial arts.

How it is Celebrated?

GURPURBS are Sikh festivals which celebrate the lives of the Gurus

The Gurdwaras (places where Sikhs go to pray) are decorated with flowers, flags and posters depicting various aspects of Sikhism.

How it is Celebrated?

GURPURBS are Sikh festivals which celebrate the lives of the Gurus

How it is Celebrated?

Celebrations may include fireworks

GURPURBS are Sikh festivals which celebrate the lives of the Gurus

Sikhs join together to sing, pray and eat together, this starts early in the morning and can last well into the night.

On Guru Nanak’s birthday, sweets and drinks are handed out to everyone at the procession as a reminder that Guru Nanak taught that all people are equal, regardless of religion.

How it is Celebrated?

Task - Newspaper ArticleImagine you are a journalist reporting for a local newspaper. You have been

asked to research and write an article about Guru Nanak’s birthday. Your article should-

• Start with an eye catching headline;

• Describe how Sikh people celebrate Guru Nanak’s Birthday

• Explain who Guru Nanak was and why he is so important to Sikhs;

• Describe a major event from Guru Nanak’s life;

• Use lively newspaper language and style.

Born 1469 - 1539 Guru Granth Sahib Guru Gobind Singh

RespectGood life Brothers and sisters

Equality

poor

Hindu Muslim PunjabBetween Pakistan & India

Newspaper Article – Writing Frame• For Sikhs around the world this is a special week, as they

celebrate the birth of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak.

• Sikhism began when…(Explain Nanak’s experience in the river and recognize similarities and differences to other religions).

• Guru Nanak is important to Sikhs for a number of reasons. Firstly…(Explain the reasons why Guru Nanak is so important, include his birth (and birthday). Try to give more than one reason).

• For Sikhs, the festival is important to their lives …(Explain the impact of beliefs on individuals, the community world wide).

• Give examples of how it is celebrated- Visiting the Gurdwara, the

reading of the scriptures, visiting Amritsar etc.

• We wish Sikhs around (name of your local area) joy at this important time.

Newspaper Article – LevelsLevel 3 – Describe Describe how the festival is celebrated, in Amritsar and in Britain

Level 4 – As above and Show UnderstandingShow you understand Guru Nanak’s teaching on equality and how its

celebrated

Level 5 – As above and ExplainExplain why Guru Nanak and the Guru Granth Sahib is important to Sikhs

Level 6 – As above and InterpretExplain how/why Sikh beliefs impact on their actions Recognize similarities and differences in festivals to other religions.

Level 7 – As above and Account forAccount for the influence of history and culture on aspects of religious life

and practice.

To gain the higher levels, you must make links back e.g. to the experience in the river, the idea of equality, the Guru Granth Sahib & how its treated etc

Homework Complete Guru Nanak

Newspaper Article & write up on paper/type up in

neat