Moses and the Exodus
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can retell and explain the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt.
Key learning points
- At the time of Moses, the Hebrew people were enslaved in Egypt.
- According to the Torah, Moses was chosen by God to lead the Hebrew people to freedom.
- God brought plagues onto the Egyptian people, however, Pharaoh would not set the Hebrews free.
- After the death of the first born sons, the Hebrew people were led to freedom by Moses.
Keywords
Exodus - the departure of the Hebrews from Egypt; the second book in the Torah
Plague - a terrible disease or great suffering
Hebrews - the descendants of Abraham and Jacob
Calling - a feeling of duty to take on a special role
Common misconception
This is an ancient story and has no meaning for today.
This story continues to be remembered and celebrated by Jews today.
Teacher tip
There are some helpful dramatisations of the long story of Moses and the Exodus available, including ‘Prince of Egypt’ (1998). Use carefully chosen extracts as an alternative to reading the story. Many Jewish people prefer God’s name to be written: G_d. This convention is followed for Jewish voices.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What does the Torah say about God’s covenant with Abraham?
Q2.What did God promise Abraham in the covenant?
Q3.Where did God tell Abraham to go?
Q4.Abraham’s descendant Joseph ended up living in , far from the promised land.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the Exodus?
Q2.The Hebrews marked their doors with the blood of a so that God would pass over their homes.
Q3.What happened when Moses stretched out his staff over the sea?
Q4.The story of Moses is too old to matter today.
To help you plan your 3 religious education lesson on: Moses and the Exodus, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 religious education lesson on: Moses and the Exodus, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 religious education lessons from the Pesach: How do Jews remember God's covenant? unit, dive into the full primary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.