AQA GCSE RS — 6-Mark Lotus Scaffolds (Christianity Option)

Description
Support your students to succeed in AQA GCSE RS 6-mark questions with this ready-to-use Lotus Planner scaffold pack for the Christianity option. Designed for both Beliefs & Teachings and Practices topics, this resource uses real past questions to build exam technique, quote application and AO1 skills. Clear modelling, visual scaffolds and editable templates make it a versatile classroom tool for lessons, revision and homework.

What’s included
• 14 different 6-mark questions (real past-paper style) covering the Christianity option: Beliefs & Teachings and Practices.
• Visual Lotus Planner scaffold (one per question): question in the middle with clearly labelled petals for step-by-step planning.
• Worked example for modelling a high-quality 6-mark answer.
• Editable template (PowerPoint) so teachers can: pre-fill ideas, adapt questions, or add extra prompts.
• Blank & teacher-pre-filled idea sections: option to provide starter ideas or leave blank for pupil generation (independent, paired or whole-class).
• Colour-coded task elements (each petal/task type is a different colour for clarity and visual memory).

How the Lotus Scaffold works (clear breakdown)
The visual planner places the 6-mark question at the centre and guides pupils through each essential step:
• Sentence starts (how to begin their answer)
• Give reason / belief (point 1)
• Explain reason / belief
• Give a second reason (point 2)
• Explain second reason
• Give a quote from sacred writing to support (quote selection & citation)
• Apply the quote back to the question (explicit application — key for top marks)

How to use it in class
• Model first: display the worked example and talk through the lotus petals.
• Timed practice: pupils plan an answer in 5–7 minutes using the scaffold, then write it out.
• Pair & share: pupils compare petals and quotes, refine wording and practise oracy.
• Peer assessment: use the petals as a checklist for marking and feedback.
• Homework / revision: send printable PDFs for independent revision.
• Extension: teachers can pre-fill the idea boxes to support lower ability pupils or leave them blank for stretch tasks.

Why teachers choose this resource
• Directly targets the skills AQA assesses in 6 answer questions
• Visualises planning so students remember structure under exam pressure.
• Perfect for modelling, retrieval practice, intervention and exam technique lessons.
• Editable format: quickly adapt for other questions, cohorts or exam series.
• Colour coding and the lotus layout help visual and SEN learners access planning more easily.
• Ideal for laminated classroom use — reusable and durable.

Perfect for
• AQA GCSE Religious Studies — Islam option (Beliefs & Teachings and Practices)
• KS4 revision lessons, exam technique workshops, intervention groups
• Whole-class modelling, paired practice, independent homework and cover lessons

**Also Available:
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AQA GCSE RS — 6-Mark Lotus Scaffolds (Islam Option)