This resource is a complete KS3 Religious Education (RE) lesson built around the poem Diagnosis, Pig and Prawn, using poetry as a powerful stimulus to explore beliefs, practices, identity and community cohesion. Pupils investigate ideas of permitted and forbidden foods, how different religions and cultures view animals, and why food laws may have developed in ancient contexts. The lesson also supports learning from religion, encouraging thoughtful reflection on belonging, dignity, judgement language, and Britain’s dual identity (religious heritage and multi-faith society) today.

Designed to be objective, critical and respectful, this lesson includes explicit guidance on ground rules, inclusion, and safeguarding, avoiding pressure on pupils to disclose personal beliefs or dietary practices.

What’s included
A full 60 minute lesson plan with timings (Do Now, first reading, knowledge build, interpretation task, structured discussion, exit ticket assessment). Copy of the poem Diagnosis, Pig and Prawn
Classroom slide deck (key vocabulary, prompts, discussion stems, and exit ticket format). Comparison Grid handout to support structured learning across traditions (pig and shellfish/seafood; reasons/evidence; varies within… prompts)

Assessment is built in through an exit ticket, evidence capture (grid and quotations), and clear support/stretch/SEND strategies (word banks, sentence stems, dual coding suggestions, extension prompts).

Suitable for KS3 RE, cover lessons, or cross curricular links with English (poetry and interpretation), PSHE and Citizenship (identity, community cohesion, respectful dialogue).