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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.
I think a School Self Evaluation regarding the SESE curriculum is effective as the curriculum is broad and is composed of 3 subjects. It is important each subject receives equal teaching time. Prior to carrying out a School Self Evaluation, I think it is important to gather information from teachers and students and facilitate both teacher and student voice surrounding current teaching of SESE within the school. This can be done using a survery. Findings from this will then help steer the Self Evaluation Plan. I think it could be effective to devise a whole school approach to SESE across the class levels. For example:1st and 2nd class. In 1st class there is a focus on particular strands and strand units across history, geography, and science. In 2nd class, there is a different focus. By the end of 2nd class, children have engaged with all strands and strand units of the SESE curriculum. By doing so, it means some strands are not forgotten about and some are not covered multiple times. Another thing that could arise from a School Self Evaluation is a focus on different events at different times of the year such as Space Week, Engineering Week, and so on.
I am teaching Junior Infants next year and will definitely use some of these ideas, thank you for sharing!
