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.

Deepak is one of the most interesting spiritual / religious figures around. He is a prolific writer and speaker. But many traditional scientists dismiss his work and his ideas. He is an experienced medical doctor but went on to explore alternative healing methods from Eastern culture as well. Here I have copied from Wikki his biography and the controversy about his work, along with links to some of the youtube videos which are available and a list of his books also from Wikki. I suggest this resource will be useful with both RS and Philosophy students.

examples of people who were members of gangs and who have transformed their lives through finding faith. John Pridmore is a great example of a British gangster who turned his life around through faith and The most recent one in the news is Mark Rowan who has just been appointed as a Vicar for a village in Devon. inspiration, courage, Christianity, faith,

this is a fairly comprehensive article about the 2911 Census with table of statistics - How Christianity rose in some regions but decreased overall but Hinduism Sikhism Islam and Buddhism all increased slightly. \n A great article from the Guardian with articular focus on the changing patterns of religious belief and practise.

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.....

A selection of interesting and useful resources relating to the above important topics. Also how to use silence and creative strategies \n\nAiming to strengthen the spiritual lives of students improve mental health and self-awareness - and raise the peace and consciousness of the entire school community.\n\nplease send me a pm to suggest other good resources to include here.

June 6 part 1 is about gratitude. P 2 - my son's concert tour in Italy\nJune 11th Part 1 cats p 2 - Hinduism and Community\nJune 12th - poet Hollie McNish poem - racism and xenophobia\nJune 14th part 1 Mum leaving for Shetland\nPart 2 about the consequences of a conference in London on Saturday.\nJune 18th Vygotsky&'s Zone of Proximal Development \nJune 20-22 a painful experience explored and transformed\nWhat amazes you most poem \nJuly 12th - and 21st the Clutter Problem\n23rd when I focused on my spiritual life for Guru Purnima.+ latest miracles from Lourdes

This is a series of 14 slides depicting Jesus as Native American or Australian Aboriginal. It is in process as many images are not the right shape for a ppt slide so I will have to adjust them in Adobe. But it does give a great idea of the way that Christians everywhere think of Jesus as their Brother, as their Friend, His divine aspect is beyond the confines of one time or place, one nation or race.

some ideas of mine plus others from the forum. I will add to these. \n\nIn haste

this is a power-point, quite straightforward - giving an outline of who St John the Baptist was and outlining something of the meaning behind 8 symbols associated with him - The Head - The Lamb - The Shell - The Holly -The The Maltese Cross - The Reed -The Grasshopper and The Camel Hair.\nAll suggestions for improvement and feedback or comments - welcome. \n\nI will be adding - after these images - all the texts which relate to St John the Baptist - but this is enough for teachers to work with so it is a useful start.

In haste - several hours of research here but many things still not covered. \n\nIt will give anyone planning to explore Hindu Wedding in an experiential or role-play way, some ideas and basic information.\n\nI hope to add to this.

This is a Power Point slide-show which explores the Parabe of the Sheep and the Goats in some depth, looking at examples of people who have devoted their lives to helping others.\n\nThere are reflective activities and exercises which engage with and explore forgiveness and self-giving in an experiential way. The extended version includes visualisations and a memorial\n\nI conclude with an overview of my approach to teaching RE and some tips on how to avoid pitfalls and make the subject real and alive.\n\nIn process

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.