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Durgamata's Shop

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(based on 485 reviews)

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.
70 posters to inspire - religion / spirituality
durgamatadurgamata

70 posters to inspire - religion / spirituality

(5)
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.
Sue Phillips and the Theatre of Learning
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Sue Phillips and the Theatre of Learning

(4)
Sue is an inspirational RE teacher who has found creative approaches to engage her students. Many of these are based on visualisation and role-play. They are all creative and deeply spiritual. I can not recommend them too highly. The attached information is just an introduction. If you can arrange to attend a workshop - or if you have done so in the past, you will know what I mean. BRILLIANT. Please add a comment if you have experience of Sue's work
'Is it fair?' - questions of justice and rights
durgamatadurgamata

'Is it fair?' - questions of justice and rights

(4)
A range of resources to use when planning a unit on questions of human rights justice, suffering and the age old issue of 'Is it Fair?&' The oxfam unit is excellent and I have made a worksheet for our students to create cards inspired by the ones created by the students at the school in South Africa which is featured in the Oxfam resources.
poems about God from students Atheism and Islam
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poems about God from students Atheism and Islam

(11)
This is also good for KS4 and post 16. The poems explore ideas about God and several are powerful atheistic and agnostic responses. Finally Johar's poem spans over a year. He has written about 35 pages, each exploring different aspect of Islam and his views as a British Muslim. I want to publish this and would value any feedback or ideas regarding this. Great material for stimulating serious discussion about the concept of God and many issues relating to Islam here.
Black Jesus, African Jesus
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Black Jesus, African Jesus

(3)
This is a Power Point with 40 slides - all images of Jesus from an African perspective. It gives a sense of the way that Christians everywhere think of Jesus as their Brother, as their Friend, His divine aspect is for all, beyond the confines of one time or place, one nation or race. Christians everywhere can and do claim Jesus as their own.
Cross Curricular Links in Art - all Key Stages
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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.
A meditation/visualisation Buddhism
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A meditation/visualisation Buddhism

(6)
This is a visualisation or meditation that I have used a lot. It is based on Buddhist philosophy of loving kindness. Do give some feedback if you use it - what age and ability group, size of class, responses, artwork and poems etc. One year 10 group objected because they said we are not all good - what about all the bad people - which led to some great analysis of the causes of crime. I have added a bit to the outline and introduction with this possible problem in mind.
Islam, Salah, Prayer, Wonder, Awe, Worship, Faith
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Islam, Salah, Prayer, Wonder, Awe, Worship, Faith

(2)
This began with a question - how to teach Salah to year 7's. I was haunted by this topic and added more until it ended up as this resource. The main file covers everything but from it I&'ve created a worksheet for the initial part of the lesson and an information sheet on the exploraton of Wonder, Awe and the God Question which I feel is essential to address in a &';religiously neutral' way before any consideration of prayer or worship.I welcome feedback. Love and Peace - DurgaMata
Workshop - the meaning of religion + Stone-Age Art
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Workshop - the meaning of religion + Stone-Age Art

(2)
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.
Experiential Pilgrimage Wellbeing
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Experiential Pilgrimage Wellbeing

(2)
This resource talks teachers through a powerful Experiential lesson on pilgrimage based on an exercise which is part of the Pilgrimage to Iona. Two stones are taken from the beach where St. Columba landed and used for reflection on letting go of guilt/regret and recognising inner qualities which we need to value more and treasure.
Why Does A Mother Hit Her Child? Reflections -
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Why Does A Mother Hit Her Child? Reflections -

(2)
This file explores the answer a spiritual teacher gave to the question of Why Does A Mother Hit Her Child? Is she a bad mother? His answer was, No - she is not a bad mother, She just ran out of peace. Reflecting on this DurgaMata shares two stories about her honorary grandsons and mistakes they have made - in a cautionary tale the eldest (then aged 17) is sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving. In the story of my grandson's first child the younger one (now aged 22) is taken unconscious from his burning flat. I ask - What is inner peace and where can we obtain it? How can we support our students, some of whom will be seeing (or suffering from) Domestic Abuse of one kind or another - and what strategies can we give them to find peace for themselves and their families - and not grow up into adults who are likely to abuse their partners or children?
Christian Diversity and Life after Death
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Christian Diversity and Life after Death

(2)
This is also good for Post 16 Part 1 = overview of Christianity Part 2 = three 'Christnn perspectives&' to aid understanding of what Christians are really like. The Poster-information-sheets in bothPublisher and PDF Christian beliefs - Part 1 + 2 of a series by Emma Newby, adapted to give more insight into the diversity of Christian interpretation and belief. Files of Bible References. Three files on interpretation of The Book of Revelation - extension work / Post 16 PPt Slide-show on Parable of Sheep and Goats includes interfaith reflections.
durgamata blog  - from Thursday 13th Oct
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durgamata blog - from Thursday 13th Oct

(2)
Continuation of my Meditation Blog. This started on 28th September in New York and ends on 30th October back in England. I have some notes in my diary which still need to be written up to include in this so I will add a few more files over the next few days. Some friends say I should edit the whole record and make it into a book!!! Well we will see about that.
The 2011 August Riots in London and beyond
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The 2011 August Riots in London and beyond

(2)
articles about the riots to prepare work for exploring the riots and issues / emotions including grief, alienation, fear and anger opportunity to learn about, think, discuss and reflect in a supportive environment - but one which is able to explore and clarify right and wrong - to challenge and inform. Includes articles from a range of sources to show the different 'spin' journalist give a story. It's easy to scapegoat, stereotype and blame, harder to listen to and to learn. All agree change is needed, but effective change must be rooted in reality. See more in linked resource.
Religious Education Pedagogy and the history of RE
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Religious Education Pedagogy and the history of RE

(2)
These files are all related to RE history or Pedagogy - put together in response to a question on the forum from an RE student who has to write an essay on RE Pedagogy. I will add material as I find it. I guess this is relevant for all who teach RE as CPD. Hope you all had a great Christmas - and best wishes for a great New Year. DurgaMata
Sanctity of Life and Euthanasia
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Sanctity of Life and Euthanasia

(2)
This is my own reworking of an exercise which I found on one of the RE forums. It gives a powerful experiential insight into the meaning of Sanctity of Life. I follow this with an exercise of voting and statistical analysis which offers a simple opportunity for cross-curricular maths and citizenship.
The Sermon on the Mount - Christianity in action
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The Sermon on the Mount - Christianity in action

(2)
what Jesus says about Love. Where might a Christian start when reading the Bible - Students can have little idea about how Christians seek guidance, through prayer and Bible reading. This starts with a post from a conversation with an atheist. I've added a bit which reflects on Jesus in an inter-faith way. The Sunday School experience story is in italics. Use with exam classes - to give students insight into what it is like to practise a religion Other resources which relate to this passage and to text-analysis and understanding the Bible are added
2 Questions What is Religion and the God Question
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2 Questions What is Religion and the God Question

(2)
Part One with ten minute (reflections on life, part 1) lead-in. this is the first of four parts 1) Religion and Me - which explores religion as a universal subject made up of the beliefs and perspectives of each and everyone. This includes an exploration into what it means to be a human being.
Jesus - a range of items from the media
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Jesus - a range of items from the media

(4)
from websites and newspaper articles, a range of articles. These will be interesting to stimulate discussion with exam groups and engage G + T students at KS3 most relate to Christianity but some to Atheism and other world views. The one about the way that Americans change faith - but are basically looking for a faith they can follow, challenges the idea that 'faith is on the wane.' The traditional churches may be losing numbers but most people, find that they are looking for something to give them more of a sense of belonging and meaning than our Western Capitalism can offer.
Interfaith Slide-Show
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Interfaith Slide-Show

(9)
This is a ppt slide show which combines inspiring images and texts which share and celebrate the wisdom found in many different cultures and religions around the world. Texts explore and reflect on many aspects of life and look for common threads in the teachings of many different religions. There is a focus on peace and overcoming conflict - as well as a celebration of the beauty and wonder of life and the universe. thanks for comments. I will add the music I use if possible.