This is a Slide-Show conversation about religion which starts with the answers that a Reception class, part of a workshop I gave in March. Here I explore Religion using models of Jigsaw, Kaleidoscope, Music and Dance and cover concepts of Theist, Atheist and Agnostic I conclude with a section which explores the concept of God. This makes the Slide Show useful for KS4 and older philosophy students as well as younger children. Please give feedback and ratings Thanks, durgamata

Responding to a question on a thread about this topic, an outline of the way that different schools of thought within Islam respond to the question of what sort of art is permissible. I hope to add the actual suras from the Qur'an which relate to art and the Hadiths to this plus a power point of examples of Islamic Art which can be used in both RE and Art lessons - but to start with, here is my response to the question on the thread.

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.

Imbolg is the first of many subjects I hope to explore under this heading. If there are others which you would like me to include, do send a PM. Imbolg is the festival which marks the beginning of spring, when the goddess Bride and her groom (the terms Bride and Groom originate here) get together and the year unfolds in all its glory. There are ceremonies to turn away winter and welcome spring - clear out the old and welcome the new ... It is celebrated around the 2nd February - which happens to be today, Happy Imbolg!

Hi guys, I have been working with the Duke of Edinburgh team for the past two weeks, no access to computer or internet but a lot of great experiences with our fantastic students. We had three groups of four to six in a group and all succeeded in passing Silver - tremendous transcendence and experiences of going beyond despair, The weakest group ended up the best! This essay is an account of what I did when the minibus left, taking the students back to London. Hopefully inspire some discussion and reflection, As always, do give feedback. And have a great Summer Holiday.

An initial assembly explores the question 'What is Religion' using many 'models' and questions. Moving on to Art-based activity, we look at Rock and Cave-Art thinking about what the Stone-Age people may have believed in / how they may have made sense of their world. Then using 'Stone-Age materials, create our own 'Cave-Art.'. Lots of opportunity for thinking about what we believe and why, asking questions, developing empathy and greater self-understanding.

This is a great way to introduce the world religions to KS3 pupils. Ideally set it in Autumn term so the observational drawing can stimulate some wonder-muscles. Cross curricular with science and art this approach gives a strong grounding for the world religions and is popular, improving attitudes to RE in the process.

A sweeping reflection on life which explores and celebrates the beauty and mystery of of our planet, introducing a range of concepts from different religions and world views. In art and music it may stimulate composition. The origins are in RE where the poem emerged from my struggle to get year 10 to engage with the question of God in a serious way - it was movingly effective - but I want to include the questions of suffering and evil and still struggle with this, to keep it a poem and not a book! I hope to publish eventually but do use it as a basis for discussion or creative response.

This is a Slide Show Power Point which will be ideal for many settings. It was designed first to encourage reflection and discussion in a workshop in a conference on Community Cohesion - but it would make a good Assembly and could also be useful as a resource in Art, RE, Citizenship etc. The theme is peace so it is particularly useful for the GCSE RE unit on war and peace

The most popular song from the CD All Shall Be Well by Jill Blackadder - my sister who is a Primary teacher in the Shetland Islands. for the CD and sheet music contact 'Jill Slee Blackadder' <Jill.blackadder@btinternet.com>, You can find a 'taster&' of this song and others on another resource on prev. page - http://www.tes.co.uk/ResourceUpload.aspx?storycode=6058026&navcode=98 This is a truly inspiring and very soulful song for all ages. It celebrates our world where the beauty is in the diversity. Great as a stimulus for art-work, too.

I love using inspiring posters on my classroom walls – and indeed in my home. There are some wonderful combinations of photography with quotations from a vast range of cultures and inspiring people which I have used in the past – mostly from Argus. Argus is now part of ‘Trend’ so they may have stopped creating some of those I am familiar with. I was looking for these ‘old favourites’ but couldn’t find them. However I did find the following – and hope some may be useful. I will try to find out what happened to some of my favourites. Meanwhile – I hope you enjoy this sample.

For KS 3 Religious Education A Power Point of images and questions explores similarity difference and change using leaves. Then reflecting on similarity and difference in people - not just physical similarities and differences but also in thoughts and beliefs. Exploration of prejudice, bullying and intolerance in the lives of the pupils present and in wider society. Moving on to reflect on the question 'What is the Purpose of life?' - with some food for thought taken from the six major religions.

Links to 23 different youtube videos of Wordsworth's poem Daffodils. Then many other poems by Wordsworth. A few videos for his poem 'Rainbow.&' Other poems which stimulate creative imagination - including Tiger Tiger. A friend took his Early Years class out to sit among daffodils and listen to a reading of Wordsworth&';s poem. He prepared them well, but once he started to read Daffodils, one just said, 'Boring.&' I seek good ways to develop more Creative Imagination. I include the thread about this and will update + add poems / ideas which you suggest.