Quality of life
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the concept of quality of life and examine Christian and non-religious perspectives on what makes life of good quality.
Key learning points
- Quality of life refers to health, comfort and happiness, influenced by factors like health, relationships and freedom.
- Biblical teachings emphasise compassion and supporting others to improve quality of life.
- Anglicans, Catholics and Quakers value both the sanctity and quality of life, with a focus on human dignity.
- Humanism prioritises freedom and happiness as key components of a good quality of life.
- Sentientism links quality of life to the ability to experience pleasure and suffering.
Keywords
Quality of life - the standard of health, comfort and happiness or fulfillment experienced by a person or group
Sanctity of life - the belief that life is sacred/special because it was created by God, or because we are each unique individuals
Value - the worth, importance, or usefulness of something
Common misconception
Quality of life is about reducing suffering.
Quality of life means different things to different people. Whilst it can be about reducing suffering, it is influenced by individual values, preference and circumstances.
Teacher tip
Have students work in pairs or small groups to discuss different perspectives on quality of life, then share their conclusions with the class.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why do many Christians believe human life is sacred?
Q2.Which Christian denomination teaches that every human life remains in a ‘special relationship with the Creator’?
Q3.What would a Quaker most likely believe about the sanctity of life?
Q4.The term that means life has value because it is created by God or because we are unique is ...
Q5.The view that life should be respected from conception to natural death is known as the sanctity of ...
Q6.Non-religious thinkers like Peter Singer value life based on the ability to experience ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is the correct definition of 'quality of life'?
Q2.In religious discussions, the belief that life is sacred and should always be protected is called of life.
Q3.Which of the following is a Christian teaching that supports improving the quality of life?
Q4.Non-religious perspectives, such as humanism, argue that is essential for a good quality of life because it allows people to make choices about their own happiness.
Q5.Which of the following best represents a Quaker view on quality of life?
Q6.Philosopher Peter Singer argues that a better quality of life means experiencing more than suffering.
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Quality of life, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Quality of life, 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 4 religious education lessons from the Religion and life unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.