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Durgamata's Shop

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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.
Enrichment ideas - all sorts + some RE ones
durgamatadurgamata

Enrichment ideas - all sorts + some RE ones

(0)
In response to a request for ideas for an enrichment day or week - I have just copied some pages from a range or websites in response to a general search on google. I will edit and add to these. Also a copy of the thread from the RE forum. Again I will add to this when others respond with their ideas. I would always love to come and work with any school on a project like this. Passion for RE and Enthusiasm in boundless measure, me!! All the best
'Who wrote the Bible?' and is it fiction?
durgamatadurgamata

'Who wrote the Bible?' and is it fiction?

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Responding to a rather 'silly' comment on a thread, which suggests the Bible was a work of fiction written by Jesus&' mates, I have outlined the authors of Acts and the four Gospels here, using material copied from Wikki. This attitude and question is fairly typical of some of our young people when they come into year 7 so I hope that colleagues will find this outline useful. It may be good to use as revision with KS4, too, when beginning a unit of work on Christianity, since some of them can have a rather ignorant attitude. Do add your comments and ratings. Thanks
Genesis 1  Creation Story Genre Stewardship
durgamatadurgamata

Genesis 1 Creation Story Genre Stewardship

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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.
Britain's Secret Schindler -  Nicholas Winton
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Britain's Secret Schindler - Nicholas Winton

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chanel 5 at 8 pm on Thursday 27th Jan - in response to Holocaust memorial day a 45 minute programme about the Kindertransport which rescued Jewish children from Czechoslovakia this is an article about Nicholas Winton and the events around the kindertransport
Five Pillars of Islam - especially Zakat
durgamatadurgamata

Five Pillars of Islam - especially Zakat

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The Five Pillars file is from Wikki but I have added some comments relating to supporting Muslim students who are fasting during Ramadan. Also how to respond if a Muslim student claims that s/he can’t attend a detention because of fasting. I am including good contributions from the thread here too.
Christianity - sources and ideas including texts
durgamatadurgamata

Christianity - sources and ideas including texts

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Here are some files relating to The Sermon on the Mount, The Golden Rule and the Parable of the Good Samaritan, just to start this section. I will add to it - and please contact me with PMs to share the passages and other resources which you find useful. I can either include them here or add to a page of references. also - as always, please give comments and feedback. This is a resource for you. i want to know how to improve it.
ideas for a lesson on war and peace
durgamatadurgamata

ideas for a lesson on war and peace

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commenting step by step on a lesson plan for a lesson on war and peace: Learning objecitves are - To express your own opinion about war and peace. To explore religious attitudes to war and peace. To inform your peers about Christian and Muslim beliefs about war and peace. I mention some of the factors underlying some of the so called 'religious wars' and give a few examples of conflict situations which I have met in school as both a teacher and parent.
Reflections On Life part 2 - InterFaith with music
durgamatadurgamata

Reflections On Life part 2 - InterFaith with music

(1)
Slide Show listed as video - closest description. Contact me 4 'sound track' for Inter Faith Workshops. Includes Chinese, African, Native American, Bah&'ai, Jain and Rastafarian texts/images + the &';Main Six'. Also uploaded in two sections as the full one won&'t load for some + a text only one (includes some images which communicate in a non-verbal way for follow-up work. Edit to suit your groups as full one is 25 mins. Contact me to suggest other images/text/music to use.. Do put some feedback and ratings
Religious Identity
durgamatadurgamata

Religious Identity

(0)
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.
Christian Diversity and Life after Death
durgamatadurgamata

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.
Irish Gaelic, Indian flute, Mantra and more
durgamatadurgamata

Irish Gaelic, Indian flute, Mantra and more

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peaceful music for reflection and meditation - a wide range but nothing African yet. I will add to this if you suggest your own favourite youtube music videos. Use these for your own meditation and de-stress exercises at the end of the day - as well as with your classes. You may like to use some for starters or plenary reflection. Great for Religious Education and Music classes.
Plans to sell off our forests
durgamatadurgamata

Plans to sell off our forests

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There are plans to sell off our national heritage forests. There is a growing campaign to stop it. This is a good project to involve all schools in as it has tremendous value as a cross-curricular subject and also relates to the health and well-being of the students, school, local and national community, As this falls within my remit as a Community Cohesion and Religious Education consultant I have collected some material on the subject and if any school would like an assembly or presentation to suit your age / sector / requirements I am available. Contact me on dcbluelotus@gmail.com.
Experiential Pilgrimage Wellbeing
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Experiential Pilgrimage Wellbeing

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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.
Avesha Presentations, workshops, inset on Hinduism
durgamatadurgamata

Avesha Presentations, workshops, inset on Hinduism

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Taken from Avesha's website, all the info is here to check out what is on offer. These workshops and insets are given by someone who knows Hinduism from the inside and has trained as an educator. The prices are fair and if they are a problem there is flexibility here. I have also included some of the comments and responses to Avesha's work and some of the images from a slide show visit to ISKON's headquarters.
Key Words for learning and revision - a game
durgamatadurgamata

Key Words for learning and revision - a game

(1)
This resource is in process. There is an outline describing how to play the game, a blank table in which you or your pupils can suggest Key Words to include, a page of Key Words to begin with (1A) and an outline of the 1B table which will give meanings to the words in 1A. What is best about this game is that 'wrong&' answers are encouraged. Those who know the answer can think about the key words they are holding and try to link them with the meaning given.
continuation of articles and comments re the riots
durgamatadurgamata

continuation of articles and comments re the riots

(2)
more interesting and insightful articles with some of the comments from the related forums - I have chosen a fair variety of views to encourage debate. The Anarchy News article was recommended by a friend! Those articles which I find most useful I have marked with AA or AAA rating, In some articles I have highlighted sections that if I were preparing material for use in school I would include - and blue highlighting indicates particularly pertinent sections - but of course this is a personal reaction. By copying the material in an Unformatted style they will be easy for you to edit.
Readings on the subject of Anatta - Buddhism
durgamatadurgamata

Readings on the subject of Anatta - Buddhism

(3)
A selection of articles and reflections on the subject of Anatta. I include several sources which explore Anatta and some exercises including an essay outline. Pupils and students can also use silent reflection to explore self and change, just watching their thoughts. Afterwards write notes of what they remember thinking about + colour code these notes, to show which thoughts related to past, present, future or the world of imagination. Then discuss observations re Anatta and Anicca.
Why Does A Mother Hit Her Child? Reflections -
durgamatadurgamata

Why Does A Mother Hit Her Child? Reflections -

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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?