New
New
Year 3

Inspiration through music in Sikhi

I can explain how Sikhs might use music in their worship.

New
New
Year 3

Inspiration through music in Sikhi

I can explain how Sikhs might use music in their worship.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Guru Granth Sahib is full of poetic verse and is sung in gurdwaras.
  2. Many Sikhs will use music to connect with God.
  3. Sikhs use different moods and settings of words from the Guru Granth Sahib.
  4. Constant repetition of the name Waheguru is an important way in which many Sikhs meditate.

Keywords

  • Guru Granth Sahib - Sikh holy scripture

  • Kirtan - Sikh song of praise to God

  • Gurdwara - Sikh place of worship

  • Waheguru - Sikh name for God

Common misconception

Sikhs are not allowed to use music in their worship.

Music is an important element of Sikh worship at home and in the gurdwara.


To help you plan your year 3 religious education lesson on: Inspiration through music in Sikhi, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You could visit a gurdwara to see and hear the traditional instruments used in Sikh worship. Ask a local Sikh community, or look online for examples of Sikh worship music. Pupils could have a go at putting some of their own meaningful words to music.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of the Sikh place of worship?

temple
Correct answer: gurdwara
church

Q2.
What is the special head covering that many Sikh men and some women wear?

hat
cap
Correct answer: turban

Q3.
What is the Sikh symbol called?

Correct answer: khanda
star
cross

Q4.
Sikhs believe in God.

Correct Answer: one, 1

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the key words to their meanings.

Correct Answer:Guru Granth Sahib,is Sikh holy scripture

is Sikh holy scripture

Correct Answer:Gurdwara,is the Sikh place of worship

is the Sikh place of worship

Correct Answer:Waheguru,is the Sikh name for God

is the Sikh name for God

Q2.
What is kirtan?

a Sikh wedding song
Correct answer: a Sikh song of praise to God
a Sikh meal shared at the gurdwara

Q3.
Why do some Sikhs learn to play the harmonium?

Correct answer: to play music at gurdwara worship
to sing songs for weddings
to play background music at home

Q4.
Music is an important element of Sikh worship at home and in the gurdwara.

False - Sikhs are not allowed to use music in their worship.
False - Only professional musicians may use music in worship.
Correct answer: True - Sikhs use music like kirtan to help connect with God.