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I totally agree that having safe secure and affordable housing is essential for children’s wellbeing. The housing crisis in Ireland affects so many people including many children in all schools. This particular topic has so much scope within the classroom for discussions etc as you have mentioned.
It’s so sad, that in the world we are currently living in, children even as young as 1st class and possibly even younger and conscious of how society thinks and don’t feel safe being open about their likes and dislikes. This is a clear example of why it is so important for gender stereotypes and assumptions to be challenged and discussed on a daily basis and development education helps with this.
Working in an all boys school can present many examples of gender stereotypes and challenges in tackling gender stereotypes as there can a lack of balance and some limitations in class discussions as they can be one sided. Not having girls in the class to share their experiences and challenge the sterotypes can limit the change in mindset already established for some boys. Some gender stereotypes may not be challenged, as resources, toys and activities are planned for boys only on a daily basis also. These activities can also be planned based on assumptions of what we think boys would like. Rewards are usually linked to extra time playing football or more time is spent on games often preferred by boys. Providing activities and opportunities for discussion, like the lessons discussed in this module, will hopefully initiate discussion and initiate a growth mindset around gender stereotypes. As some of the boys will move on to all boy secondary schools too, links with all girl schools or mixed schools might be beneficial during these lessons and activities to form a balanced discussion and hopefully not make assumptions on opinions. It’s important to provide resources and toys that would normally be seen as girl toys for children even in an all boys school. These could be made available up through the years too and not just for during aistear and younger classes.
As a teacher who has taught 6th class a number of years now, one of the topics we have covered every year in our school is Global Aid. We are already focusing on the impact the global north has on the rest of the world, both positively and negatively. It would be easy to explore the role of global citizens in today’s world during this topic but also explore the role on a daily basis also as this would be important. While history lessons look at activism in the past, children are seeing demonstrations in the news today too. They are seeing young people focusing on global issues that affect everyone across the world. The classroom is an important place to ensure children are given opportunities to explore their role as global citizens as it is very much at the forefront of what they are seeing on the news on a daily basis.
Our SSE is, among other things, focusing on literacy and writing genres. The role of global citizenship can be explored in many ways through different writing genres. Narrative – a day in the life
Persuasive – discussions and debates about equality, social change, activism etc.
Reports/explanation – different aid agencies including Irish AidWe are already focusing on global topics, have an annual multicultural day and have a large multicultural student body so it would be easy enough to encourage colleagues to plan development education activities throughout the school as it would be relevant to all in the school.
I agree with the other participants who have commented on your post. I really like your comment on how Developmental Education is a mindset. Yes our days are jam packed so it’s important to make things easy to implement into the classroom and also encourage staff to engage with Developmental Education too.