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A specialist Religious Education and Art Teacher - I retired a few years ago. Now I am an Entrepreneur. I have created a Programme called The Seven Steps to Happiness. It is all about Reducing Stress, Building Resilience and Increasing Happiness. Before Coronavirus came along I gave Workshops and Retreats from my home. Now I am moving my work online. I share resources on TES to support my wonderful Teacher-Colleagues. Most are free but I spend hours on these so I charge for some of them. Enjoy.

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A specialist Religious Education and Art Teacher - I retired a few years ago. Now I am an Entrepreneur. I have created a Programme called The Seven Steps to Happiness. It is all about Reducing Stress, Building Resilience and Increasing Happiness. Before Coronavirus came along I gave Workshops and Retreats from my home. Now I am moving my work online. I share resources on TES to support my wonderful Teacher-Colleagues. Most are free but I spend hours on these so I charge for some of them. Enjoy.
Cross Curricular Links in Art - all Key Stages
durgamatadurgamata

Cross Curricular Links in Art - all Key Stages

(3)
Reading an essay on this topic I was irritated because it didn't incude RE. Then I relised it missed out many links that as an Art teacher I would make between Art and different subjects in school. That inspired me to I use it as a springboard to explore the subject in more depth. I hope it will help to get our students to think 'outside the box&' and be more adventurous in finding inspiration for their work.
DurgaMata's Blog part 9
durgamatadurgamata

DurgaMata's Blog part 9

(0)
Continuation of blog started in September 2011. As a practising theist, who tries to respond to all the ups and downs of life from a spiritual perspective, I feel that my life experiences may be a useful resource. Some have been kind enough to encourage me with this. A few people tell me that they read it regularly, so for them and any other casual readers I continue. The one on 29th and 30th includes 2 photos of the kitties aged 4 weeks best wishes and love to all DMC
Conversation between theist and atheist teachers
durgamatadurgamata

Conversation between theist and atheist teachers

(3)
This is copied from a thread on my messages. Tonight I answered the atheists statement in some detail and it occurred to me that this conversation would be useful when exploring the God question in school. I would love some feedback, especially questions that your own pupils may ask - so I could make my response more comprehensive and useful. the one I have just put up - (in progress) is probably the last in this series as I am now working with the atheist teacher to turn it into a book which will, hopefully, do justice to both our different viewpoints.
Blog part 8 starting on 17th April 2012
durgamatadurgamata

Blog part 8 starting on 17th April 2012

(0)
Follows previous blog - starts on 17th April but I will include the ones from 12th and 16th to give some background info for anyone who may come fresh to this. I am in New York, taking part in a spiritual festival. I came on 3rd and in two days I will return to England. Returned on 20th. Just added blog with photos for 26th and info on good habits for 27th plus another file on good habits from a zenhabits site my son likes. link to brilliant youtube film 'I AM' on 29th 30th includes a Birthday poem.
Many of my most popular resouces for reference
durgamatadurgamata

Many of my most popular resouces for reference

(2)
In response to a non specialist asking about the best way of approaching teaching RE I have collected the web-addresses for some of my most popular resouces and listed them grouped under headings to hopefully make them easier to find. First are the Exploring Religion and Reflections on Life slide-shows which are most popular. Then there are the poems and quotations, some files grouped with others from that religion, and finally some role-play exercises. I hope this will be useful especially for nonspecialists and NQT's
Love and Forgiveness
durgamatadurgamata

Love and Forgiveness

(2)
A collection of resources including youtube video which tells the story of a South African woman who forgives the policeman who killed her son and husband A poem and reflection on love A Role Play exercise based on Jewish practise partucularly suited to Yom Kippur
Films about Islam and comments on East is East
durgamatadurgamata

Films about Islam and comments on East is East

(0)
In response to a thread asking for suggestions of films about Islam, I suggest the 1970's film Message and the Bolywood movie My Name is Khan (2010) Responding to comments about East is East I give some background about the original play which was taken as the basis for the film but mutilated in the process. I hope to watch West is West and will review that when I do. Suggestion s of other films which explore or give insight into Islam and particularly British Muslim experience would be welcome. I will add any suggestions that other teachers may make.
readings - arguments atheism + God Realisation
durgamatadurgamata

readings - arguments atheism + God Realisation

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Since I have a spiritual teacher who I consider to be very wise, I have gone to his website and looked on the free library site, using the words, arguments, atheists and God Realisation in the search. This file is what I found particularly interesting / relevant to the current argument on the forum. I think there are passages here which you may use with KS4 and Post 16 - as well as possibly within the staffroom and for your own enlightenment.
Preparing for exams - a Power Point slide show
durgamatadurgamata

Preparing for exams - a Power Point slide show

(4)
This is a really great resouce created by niamhmcguinness which gives an outline of how to revise and prepare for exams. I can't recommend it too highly as our exam system creates tremendous pressure, stress and distress for many students and this is set to get a whole lot worse as Course Work is being phased out. The second version includes the advice I give my own students about exam revision. Many thanks to niamhmcguinness for permission to share this resource. It is not just good for RE but for all subjects.
Inspiring Pakistani Philanthopist Eddhi foundation
durgamatadurgamata

Inspiring Pakistani Philanthopist Eddhi foundation

(0)
It's great to find inspiring figures to share with our classes - especially those which come from other religions and cultures than Western white Christian ones. This is a great one Supporters are putting his name forward for a Nobel Peace Prize. I feel this is absolutely justified and have created these files from info found about him on Wikki and his own website. The quote which appears on each page of his website is that 'no religion is higher than humanity' which I think would make a good addition to the wall of any classroom.
Pilgrimage and Faith The Taise Community
durgamatadurgamata

Pilgrimage and Faith The Taise Community

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Here is info about the Taise Community and how to take a group there. Certain weeks are specially designed for school groups. I have wanted to organise a trip to Taise for years. They recommend groups of age 15 and over to come for a full week. They ask for one adult per five students. So if you do plan to take a group and are short of adults, contact me! I'd love to come.
Love and money - a Valentine's Day reflection
durgamatadurgamata

Love and money - a Valentine's Day reflection

(0)
Starting with an article from the Guardian 'A World Ruled by Money Has Failed. It's Time to Reclaim Love.' by Jeanette Winterson I will add other relevant articles as I find them. Please suggest your favourites.
DurgaMata's Blog - part 6
durgamatadurgamata

DurgaMata's Blog - part 6

(0)
Valentines Day today, but the first blog is just to catch up a bit. My computer is ill so I could only write on paper for a few days, 13th = background info about me and my hubbie, + when we went to Paris Disney last year to celebrate my mother-in-law's 90th birthday. 15th is mostly about Valentine's day, love and relationships in general - mostly me and my hubbie. I was asked to prepare a Biography for something else - but I thought it might interest my blog-readers. Sorry for blog-gaps. My laptop died and I have little access to a computer.
Rabia Basri, example of Woman Muslim 'saint'
durgamatadurgamata

Rabia Basri, example of Woman Muslim 'saint'

(0)
Rabia is just one example of a great and much loved and respected Muslim saint who did not follow the traditional 'pattern of behaviour' recommended in Islam. For one thing, she never married. This is a passage about her from Wikki.
Kuriakon and ekklesia - How translation matters
durgamatadurgamata

Kuriakon and ekklesia - How translation matters

(1)
a great example of the importance of looking at translation when seeking to understand any scripture. several articles from the Web give different perspectives on the way that translating ekklesia as church (a word that is derived from Kuriakon) has distorted the meaning of the Bible and given power to the institution, not the people. Because many reject religion in response to the misuse of power, this is particularly important to explore in RE. File on William Tyndall added. He was put to death because his correct translation threatened those in power.