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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.
An outline of Islam
durgamatadurgamata

An outline of Islam

(1)
This simple overview of Islam 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.....
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.....
Reflection on Tolerance and Belief, British Values, Similarity and Difference
durgamatadurgamata

Reflection on Tolerance and Belief, British Values, Similarity and Difference

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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.
Reflections on identity, religion and racism
durgamatadurgamata

Reflections on identity, religion and racism

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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.
Blog for June 2015
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Blog for June 2015

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My blogs are of interest as a commentary on life - from what is often a spiritual perspective. This one is mainly about a mixed-ability Group-Work project that my Yr 8 class enjoyed and although it was a History project on the Fire of London it's using an approach which can be used for almost any topic.
The Great Fire of London - informative PPTs and Group-Work
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The Great Fire of London - informative PPTs and Group-Work

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

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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
Life, Death + Funeral Rites experiential/spiritual
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Life, Death + Funeral Rites experiential/spiritual

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Life, Death and Funeral Rites - an experiential - spiritual approach - arising from a question on Save RE forum, I have outlined an experiential/spiritual approach which you may like to adapt to your situation. I aim to add background info re some different religions and denominations, some 'order of service&' sheets from real funerals, poems and texts interesting obituaries, music and videos - suggestions welcome. this is such an important topic and not easy to engage with - so I hope this helps. Your comments and feedback welcome as always.
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.
Pilgrimage - 6 religions, Shia, Sufi, Sunni + more
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Pilgrimage - 6 religions, Shia, Sufi, Sunni + more

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40 slide PPt with videolinks - introduces pilgrimage in an interactive way. Designed to set the scene for and inspire some extended group work involving research and presentation activity on pilgrimage + a simple assessment aid - My initial Pilgrimage resource is getting cluttered. I hope to create separate resources for each of the religions - an overview and exploration of them all - controversy version explores Shi'ite Sufi + more video links - 66 slides. For music/CD of Here in a Blind World please send a personal message.
Pilgrimage - All 6 Religions
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Pilgrimage - All 6 Religions

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Introducing the concept of pilgrimage - Mostly focussing on Christianity but an overview of pilgrimage in all 6 Religions. More detail on Iona, Lindisfarne, Walsingham and more to come. There are some excellent links to videos from Iona, Taize and more + flute music for meditative/reflective time/starter/coming into the classroom quietly etc.
missionaries + faith challenged by experience
durgamatadurgamata

missionaries + faith challenged by experience

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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.
John the Baptist - Story and Symbolism
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John the Baptist - Story and Symbolism

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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. All suggestions for improvement and feedback or comments - welcome. I 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.
70 posters to inspire - religion / spirituality
durgamatadurgamata

70 posters to inspire - religion / spirituality

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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.
The Yazidis/Yezidis - and what is going on in Iraq
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The Yazidis/Yezidis - and what is going on in Iraq

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More articles and information will be added. Please give me a pm with suggestions. more articles here - thanks for suggestions and please continue to keep them coming - also comment on how you may use these in class. I hope to continue to add to and update this resource Thanks - DurgaMata
Mindfulness, Meditation, Visualisation, Peace
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Mindfulness, Meditation, Visualisation, Peace

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

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Most of these relate to the conflict between Israel and Palestine - the 'Gaza Crisis&' of July-August 2014. A separate resource is being prepared relating to individuals and organisations which are working towards Peace and Reconciliation. please let me know of any resources you find that may help inform our classes about the conflict in the Middle East - aiming for a greater understanding of the issues underlying both sides of the conflict and pointing towards hope + enduring peace.
Believing in God
durgamatadurgamata

Believing in God

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Several ways of exploring this question in a dynamic and interactive way - which engages with pupil's own views as well as enabling them to explore a range of beliefs including atheism. The main approaches featured are group discussion and presentation - and poetry. A great collection of diverse perspectives and responses to The God Question is included and I will continue to add to this. All suggestions of texts / images / music to include would be most welcome.