This is a conversation from a thread on the Unemployed teacher's forum in which I was inspired to share something of why I think RE is important. I would love to have some responses from other RE people to get a clearer and stronger picture which I think may help us to fight for our subject more effectively. Lat&'s three principles for good RE - engaging spiritual and rigorous offer a great framework, too.

A favourite activity is when each pupil creates a Religious Identity Passport. I have several models for this. I've used simple versions with year 6 on induction day - quite detailed ones with years 10 and 11 – and all the stages between for years 7 – 9. The Outline is a form I am sending to those who apply for my courses, so I can plan group-work. When exploring Religious Identity in the classroom you use the same language.so while you may need to unpack the form for younger pupils, the form covers everything and may be easily adapted.

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

send to any who care about RE and to your MP + others mentioned. This is from a thread on the RE forum Share this and related material about the consequences of the Ebacc in Staff Meetings and Assemblies,

details to follow in haste (referred to in December blog)

Coming Soon - Under Construction ...

This simple overview of Judaism can be used to revise or consolidate a unit of KS3 work or to refresh and introduce a unit for further study in KS4. Including both a Word Search and Cross-Word Puzzle to reinforce Key Words, this resource will link with further ones which explore each area in more detail. Currently Under Construction.....

This simple overview of Judaism can be used to revise or consolidate a unit of KS3 work or to refresh and introduce a unit for further study in KS4. Including both a Word Search and Cross-Word Puzzle to reinforce Key Words, this resource will link with further ones which explore each area in more detail. Currently Under Construction.....

The basic PPT takes pupils through this topic and includes videos. It begins with a youtube link and has another youtube link in the middle. Activities are positioned at the end of each day of the fire. I did this with year 8 students and we moved on to a Group-Work project. Some of my methods and materials for successful groupwork will be included here. After the project I did not want to lose the additional research that had not been used by our class, so I added additional research to make an 'extended PPT' and added colour to the slides. I've added Team Leader Record Sheets, Checklist for preparing the presentations, Presentation and Feedback Worksheet and some completed Presentation and Feedback Sheets. After the informative slides (50 for the standard one and 75 for the extended one) I added some of the displays the groups in my class produced for their Group Presentations.

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.

Yr 9 experience a good place to start. Readings / examples of missionaries. Success - eg Bruce Olson (from Wikki), \nfaith challenged - remaining Christian but no longer exclusivist fundamentalist - more liberal - eg blog by Lana Hope in Missions from an unfundamentalist Christian\nsome put Christianity to aside and became atheist in response to their experiences eg Daniel Everett - in the articles about his book 'Don&'t Sleep, There are Snakes.&';\nI hope to add more examples - please suggest some and give your comments.

This is a Facebook Live I recorded relating to my thoughts around a quote from the Sermon on the Mount which I felt was out of context. In Religious Education the one thing we all focus on is the quest for Truth. Truth is elusive - a bit like Life or Reality - impossible to define - but we do have the capacity to aim for it. As a Religious Education Specialist, when anyone uses a quote from any scripture to reinforce their argument, it rings alarm bells because it is possible to justify almost anything with the judicious use of quotations. In this video I refer to the US elections and Mr Trump as an example of some of the things we value and need to protect.

From HOD in Religious Education to giving Mindfulness-Meditation and Empowerment Workshops for resilience, improved mental health and happiness. In this Ebook, DurgaMata shares some practical strategies for reducing stress and increasing happiness - both in your own life and when dealing with challenges in the classroom. DurgaMata gives a fascinating overview of her own ‘spiritual sadhana’ which has taken her from teaching in the classroom to offering an Online Programme to reduce stress, build resilience and increase happiness - which can span the world. DurgaMata writes - The spiritual side of life has always been important to me. In this account I look back at how circumstances moved me from joyful and devoted Head of Religious Education in a large Secondary School, through a challenging time of unemployment as the Ebacc changed the educational landscape - to developing increasing expertise in Health and Wellbeing - especially mental health. After retiring from teaching, I developed a unique and comprehensive program for Raising Consciousness - which I translate as Reducing Stress, Building Resilience and Increasing Happiness. In my small book The Seven Steps to Happiness, I share some of the experiences which have been significant and a mini-seven-step strategy to use in the classroom when a challenging situation occurs. Before 2020, my workshops were all face to face but corona-virus has turned that - on its head, forcing me to take my signature Program ‘The Seven Steps to Happiness’ online. Everyone is suffering from stress - but my particular concern is to support and empower teachers in every way I can, so I dedicate this little book to you. I hope my book will encourage you to see beyond the surface of events to the great, underlying inner principles of love, compassion and oneness which we can all engage with, whatever crazy things may be happening in the world outside - and remind you that if we are to achieve that ideal, we need to begin by taking care of our own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs and ring-fencing the time we need to look after ourselves. If we want to serve others - if we want to care for the children, pupils and students we teach - and if we want to have positive and happy relationships in the staffroom - then we have to ensure we are taking care of ourselves and we have an effective way of replenishing our own reservoir of inner peace and happiness. I hope this little book will give you some leads and encourage you to follow them. Love and Peace DurgaMata ps, hold fire on buying this. I have to edit all the quotes slides to ensure I’m not breaking copyright rules. I’ll let you know when it’s done.

This ten-word crossword-puzzle with Teacher's Notes and Helpful Hints is designed to reinforce or revise the main Key-Words for the GCSE Religious Studies topic 1.1 Believing in God. This resource includes 3 crosswords, Teacher's Notes which include answers and hints - and a Helpful Hints sheet to aid differentiation. Ideal for use as a Starter Activity, part of a lesson about the topic, extension activity, homework or revision, there is a second crossword to cover all the Key Words in this topic. In addition to the required Key-Words, a small number of additional words relating to this topic have been included. note - here you have an extra version of the crossword, as I was experimenting with different systems. I preferred the one which I then felt required enlarging, but have kept all the versions for you convenience.

Resources to use when exploring the story of Creation in the Bible, Genesis 1 An exploration of Genre and the different ways the Creation Story (Poem or Song) can be interpreted. Link this with some quotes from the Native American resource and environmental issues.

This eleven-word crossword-puzzle with Teacher's Notes and Helpful Hints is designed to reinforce or revise the main Key-Words for the GCSE Religious Studies topic 1.1 Believing in God. This resource contains * two versions of the crossword * teacher's notes - including the answers and hints * helpful hints for students. This can be used to aid differentiation or shared with the whole class towards the end of the exercise, to help everyone finish - or as you go through the activity, together Ideal for use as a Starter Activity, part of a lesson about the topic, extension activity, homework or revision, this is the second of two crosswords for Believing in God. In addition to the required Key Words, a small number of additional words relating to this topic have been included.

A selection of articles mostly from Wikki and youtube videos about a young Nepali Buddhist who at the age of about 13 was inspired to go into the forest / jungle and meditate for six years sitting under a tree - in a similar way to the Buddha. His tree became a focus of pilgrimage and tourism. The Discovery documentary team went to investigate and filmed for 96 hours without a break - proving that he did not eat, drink or move from the spot in all that time (something that science does not recognise as possible.) Also info about the American Buddhist monk Steve Hagen and some of his books.

This crossword-puzzle with Teacher's Notes and Helpful Hints is designed to reinforce or revise the main Key-Words for the GCSE Religious Studies - unit 1.3 Marriage and family life. This resource includes: two versions of the crossword puzzle, Teacher's Notes which give all the answers plus hints and Helpful Hints which you can use to aid differentiation or share with the whole class when the time provided for this activity is nearly up. Ideal for use as a Starter Activity, part of a lesson introducing the topic, extension activity, homework or revision. In addition to the required Key-Words, a small number of additional words relating to this topic have been included.

Looking into the content of the Creation-Story, how it is found in both the Jewish Hebrew Bible and The Christian Bible. Where does the story originate - what is its Genre and what is the nature of the truths it offers? How do different people approach the Bible and the Story of Creation - and how does this lead to different interpretations? In what ways may the Creation-Story conflict or support the discoveries of science - which point to evolution over millions of years rather than an event spanning seven days? What truths or insights does the Creation-Story offer which complement scientific disovery? What might Einstein have meant when he said that without religion, science is blind and without science, religion is lame?