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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.
What is Religion - an approach for all ages
durgamatadurgamata

What is Religion - an approach for all ages

(8)
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
Twenty World Views
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Twenty World Views

(1)
A 40 page document prepared for students attending 2004 Parliament of the World's Religions - an overview of 20 World Views - including many great World Religions plus Atheist and Agnostic perspectives. It is a good for reference and comparison. Appendix explores Interfaith work, outlines MOE (Minorities of Europe charity) gives a little history of the Parliament of the World's Religions and info about Sri Chinmoy who opened the last two PofWR with silent meditation and music + Swami Vivekananda (star of the first one.) Free to download here (usually pay for this.)
Muhammad and Islam
durgamatadurgamata

Muhammad and Islam

(7)
responding to a request for help on this topic for a year 5 teacher, I have given an overview of Islam and Muhammad which is based on KS3 but can be adapted for younger pupils. It will also be a useful revision guide and starting place for KS4 students. - (now added a few dates and pictures) As always, please give feedback - and send me more stories and anything else you think would be useful to include, to make this resource as useful as possible.
An outline of Sikhism
durgamatadurgamata

An outline of Sikhism

(2)
This simple overview of Sikhism 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.....
An outline of Hinduism
durgamatadurgamata

An outline of Hinduism

(1)
This simple overview of Hinduism 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.....
What Amazes You Most? A poem on Wonder and God.
durgamatadurgamata

What Amazes You Most? A poem on Wonder and God.

(2)
poem, with introduction composed in response to a year 10 contingent who were quite disaffected and atheist-exclusivist-closedmindedist. It was effective in engaging them with the God question. the poem is quite powerful for anyone to read as a meditation and you can omit the central section which is an exploration of evil/suffering, please give some reviews as this helps other readers find the resource.
Spirituality, What is it?
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Spirituality, What is it?

(0)
Rachel Kemp is the RE Coordinator working in several Primary Schools in Manchester. She is well-known for her passion for exploring the spiritual aspect of life and her skill with engaging children of all ages with this elusive subject. Here Rachel shares some recent work done with year 6 pupils about the subject of spirituality. This resource is being created by Rachel Kemp in collaboration with DurgaMata at Blue Lotus Enterprises.
Muslim teaching on Art and Islamic Art
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Muslim teaching on Art and Islamic Art

(3)
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.
Lyrics for It's Christmas, Get Cracking,
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Lyrics for It's Christmas, Get Cracking,

(2)
Here are the lyrics of another of Jill's songs from the aforementioned CD. I have used this a lot in teaching KS3 and KS4, it is funny and direct - engaging but very serious and quite soulful too. Please appreciate that my sister Jill has given me permission to share her songs - but only part of them. If she sees too many people downloading them free from here she may ask me to include only the first few lines of the music. She had to payva lot to get the recordings done. Once costs are covered all profits will go to charity. Contact - info@bluelotus.co (it is .co - not .com)
Reflections on identity, religion and racism
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Reflections on identity, religion and racism

(1)
This document talks readers through a range of important topics, offering questions and activities at intervals for an interactive learning experience. Arising from concern about the rise in racism since Brexit and the fact that many in RE are non-specialists and may feel ill-equipped to explore complex and controversial topics like these I have drawn on my own experience of teaching RE to offer this resource. I aim to develop this, expanding it to introduce the major religions and adding illustrations, games and more related activities - but even in this form I hope RE teachers and teachers from many other subjects may find it helpful next term - especially with KS3.
An overview of Buddhism
durgamatadurgamata

An overview of Buddhism

(0)
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.....
Ecumenical Developments in Catholic  + Protestant
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Ecumenical Developments in Catholic + Protestant

(2)
Including the Second Vatican Council. At GCSE and beyond our students need to learn something about the way that Christians are working together more, particualrly since the Second World War. This outline includes material from Wikki, Catholic and other sources
Eid-ul-Adha revised scrapbook Google articles
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Eid-ul-Adha revised scrapbook Google articles

(2)
In response to a question about teaching Eid-ul-Adha to a year 5 class I have collected a range of articles which inlcude pictures and the web address of a BBC site which has a 3 minute video. I hope this is helpful for the year 5 teacher but it will also be very useful for Secondary RE teachers. It includes many perspectives. I will add to it if/ as and when/ time permits. (note - I have not yet read all this. It is not me who has to plan the lesson - but I have increased the text size to make it easier to read.
Irish Gaelic, Indian flute, Mantra and more
durgamatadurgamata

Irish Gaelic, Indian flute, Mantra and more

(0)
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.
Britain - a Christian country. And what if it were Jewish?
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Britain - a Christian country. And what if it were Jewish?

(0)
How would Britain be a different country if it were Jewish. This was the brief I was given last term for an interview lesson which didn't materialise. (Because it was close to the end of term they decided they didn't have enough time to arrange it and will just use non-specialist cover.) Initially I planned a lesson using Christmas and reflecting on festivals - as that was topical - but they wanted me to include some info on synagogue. So this the result. Beginning by asking what does it mean to be a Christian country it ends with an overview of church and synagogue. not finished but still a useful resource. I'll polish it up if I have time. Love and Peace DurgaMata
The Holy Land. An Introduction to Christianity.
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The Holy Land. An Introduction to Christianity.

(0)
This is a lesson plan for introducing Christianity and the Holy Land. It includes an overview of the history of Europe - with particular attention to the Holy Land - from the 21st Century back to the building of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. I aim to create a Power Point to go with this plan.
The danger of evangelism dressed as charity
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The danger of evangelism dressed as charity

(1)
An excellent article about the so called charity 'Operation Christmas Child&' and the way it is actually a cover for the most right-wing American Evangelism. Marketed to schools all over the UK, the gifts provided by schools for needy children around the world are sent with evangelical material and these leaflets are regarded as the &';real gift' by the organisation - which celebrates those who are converted to Christianity as a result. An article warning schools about the project but also a good one to use with older classes when exploring prejudice and Fundamentalism.
What is Religion? Part one Religion and Me
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What is Religion? Part one Religion and Me

(3)
The latest of my slide-shows which asks 'What is Religion? using beautiful images, inspiring quotations, thought provoking text and interactive activities. The slides are timed to progress and some animation is used but the activities progress with a mouse-click and can be timed to suit. This resource is great to stimulate thought about religion in its widest aspect or to set the scene for any new Scheme of Work. It takes viewers through two models of religion - the jigsaw and the garden and introduces the great Eternal Questions, exploring identity - body, vital, heart, mind and soul. comments and feedback welcome.