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EAL Programmes are extremely effective. These are in operation in our school and they have great benefits
The sustainable development goal I have chosen is ‘Zero Hunger’. At a local level in Ireland, the government have introduced the Free hot schools meals programme in DEIS schools. This is a great idea! However, when this was first introduced it was to DEIS schools only. It did not acknowledge that children attending non DEIS schools may also be hungry. This has since been changed which has acknowledged that children can be hungry and hunger is not determined by geographic location. However, when you look at hunger in our country and in 3rd world countries, the differences are stark but the sad similarity is that there are hungry children all over the world. However, hunger in Ireland and in 3rd world countries are portrayed differently in the media
I think it is important when diving into the topic of ‘No hunger’, teachers are aware of their class and the needs that may be present. We sometimes as teachers can focus on this and on 3rd world countries when it can also be an issue here in Ireland due to family circumstances and the increase in cost of living!
As a teacher in a DEIS school, I always have breakfast bars in my cupboard as well as fruit juices. We sometimes have toast in the mornings as an introduction to the day. This is a soft start to the day and also allows children who may not have eaten breakfast a chance to have some in school.
I definitely think there is a stereotype surrounding poverty too and how it is portrayed in the media
This was a very interesting module! I would definitely agree that gender stereotypes affect children from a young age. I think that toys and colours have a very important role to play in this. I teach in an all boys school.
From working with Junior Infants, I have observed that the children do engage in role play with the kitchen. However, the dolls are rarely interacted with unless it is for role play with doctors and the doll being a sick patient. One particular observation that stuck out to me was on our school tour. There were bounce hoppers for one aspect, these were pink and blue. The boys only wanted the blue bounce hoppers and would not use the pink ones. Some children even waited until a blue one was free. This really re-emphasised gender stereotypes and that pink is for girls. Reflecting on this, the children were just 5 and 6 years of age and this was already embedded in their heads about girls and boys colours! Perhaps, the activity centre should have just had all yellow bounce hoppers, rather than the 2 colours as this imposed the stereotype of pink is for girls and blue is for boys!Ehigie’s (2001) paper was particular interesting. It highlighted the importance of the role that global citizens play. It also emphasises the importance of providing students with the knowledge to develop an awareness of global challenges from a young age. It is vital that humans have an awareness of how they can contribute to a more sustainable world.
Development Education is very important now more so than ever! It allows children to develop an awareness of worldwide global issues including poverty and climate change. There are lots of opportunities for teachers to incorporate development education into lessons in particular in the SESE subjects. Perhaps, there is more opportunities to teach development education at the senior end of primary school by carrying out research projects and organising fundraisers. However, it is vital it is introduced to children at a young age so an awareness is developed. I particularly enjoy teaching children in the junior classes about Fairtrade. This is a lesson that always works well as I bring in products for the children to see. The children can make connections to the lesson as many of them will have bought fairtrade products whilst doing shopping with parents. The story of the coffee bean is also a great hit!
A development education week could definitely be something integrated into a Whole School Plan. It could take a similar approach to active schools, science or maths week. I would suggest maybe two important topics to be focused on during development education week. There could be a competition at the end of the week- colouring, poetry. This would give the children a chance to highlight their new learning!This idea sounds great! The children would really be up for the challenge and it is also helping the environment at the same time
Cultural days are a really lovely idea! I think this would benefit all students. It provides students with an awareness of other cultures
The buddy system is a great idea! I had a student who came to our school from Ukraine, the students in the class were really nice to him and always included him. The students were aware of why families had to leave Ukraine. An awareness is essential to help children to understand.
Fostering partnerships with schools abroad is a great idea! This would really appeal to the students and would make learning long lasting!
This is very interesting to see! I work in an all boys school so I would not be open to the same observations as If I were in a mixed school
Prior to Space Week, I would sit down and plan accordingly using Curriculum documents. I would ensure that the subjects of history, geography, and science are all given equal time this week as well as touching on Space in other curriculum areas. I would look for integration opportunities whilst making my plan.
In Lesson 1, I would introduce Space Week to the class. We would discuss Space and I would question the children on the different things they know about Space. I would provide the children with opportunities to research Space on the iPads and to write down 5 questions they would like to know the answers to by the end of the week.
Geography- In Lesson 2, I would focus on the Planets. Looking at the size and appearance of each planets, how they are similar and how they differ to each other. We would explore the distance of the planets to the Sun. A focus would occur on Planet Earth in this lesson.
English- In Lesson 3, I would focus on Adjectives and describing words. In this lesson, the children would create their own planets. This lesson aims to build on the children’s learning from Lesson 2.
History- In Lesson 4, I would focus on the history of Space. A timeline of key events in history would be explored and discussion surrounding the importance of these and how they contributed to Space as we know it today.
Science- In Lesson 5, the children would engage in a design and make experiment testing different materials to create rockets. Discussion would occur surrounding how the rocket could move faster, what materials were most effective.
Art- In Lesson 6, to conclude the week the children would engage in Solar System Splatter painting.
