Year 6 - Religious education
Sikhs: the story of a British community
Sikhs: What does Khalsa mean to Sikhs today?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils focus on the Sikh community in the UK today. They learn why there is a Sikh community and its contribution historically and in terms of service and charity. They analyse how Amrit and the 5Ks remain important to Sikh identity and how there is a diversity of practices.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how Sikhs have contributed to British history and why some places in the UK have large Sikh communities.
Key Notes
- Sikhs comprise 0.9% of the population of England and Wales according to the 2021 census.
- There are historic Sikh communities in London and the West Midlands.
- The Sikh community has historic links with the UK, connected to the British Empire.
- Sikh soldiers were heavily involved in fighting for the British Empire, which cost many lives during the World Wars.
Vocabulary To Learn
- community: a group of people who share common interests and values
- service: the act of helping or doing work for others, often to support a community or cause
- British Empire: a group of countries that were controlled or ruled by Britain
- gurdwara: a Sikh place of worship, where people gather to pray, learn, and share meals together
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All Sikhs in the UK recently moved here.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Sikhs comprise 0.9% of the population of England and Wales according to the 2021 census. There are historic Sikh communities in London and the West Midlands.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'community'
a group of people who share common interests and values.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All Sikhs in the UK recently moved here. Correction: There is a long historical connection between Sikhs and the UK, including their involvement in the British Empire and service in the World Wars. Many Sikh families have lived in Britain for several generations.
More Lessons In This Unit
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