[Mel O’Donnell]

Hi Colm, you very much highlighted the effects of climate change in  our world today and the impacts that this is having on society as a whole. I couldn’t agree more, arguably the continent is nearly becoming unlivable during the summer months.

[Mel O’Donnell]

Hi Anna,

You have made very valid points here in terms of how children are exposed to stereo typical roles from such a young age. Often, when questions are asked of pupils of what they would like to be when they older the boys will always imagine themselves as ‘blue collar’ workers such as plumbers, electricians etc. The girls will always want to be the ‘white collar’ workers such as teachers, nurses, etc.

I think educating them from a young age will help them view things differently.

[Mel O’Donnell]

Gender stereotypes are very much present in our classrooms in everyday life. Obviously in the junior setting you will witness situations whereby the boys will gravitate towards the toy tractors and cars in the sandpit, whilst the girls will reach for the dolls. I also found a situation whereby the boys wanted to play football all the time during the PE lesson whilst the girls were more open to sampling a variety of other sports including basketball and rounders. In the school playground, instances of bad behaviour are nearly frowned upon more if girls are involved, whereas incidents with boys can be deemed ‘rough play’.  I distinctly remember a situation that arose last Christmas when a relative of mine wanted to buy a kitchen for her son but was encouraged not to by her partner as it was suggested it was ‘too girly’!

I feel that development of education in the classroom would help educate the children in understanding different gender roles.

[Mel O’Donnell]

This is a great idea. Definitely availing of our Croke Park hours as planning to make staff aware of this would give schools a great platform into making sure that the importance of global development is shared throughout all the classes in the school.

[Mel O’Donnell]

I think  developing education in the classroom nowadays is of huge importance to upskill our pupils into understanding the many global issues that we encompass in our society. Key issues such as poverty, climate change and human rights come to mind when I think of this. We have the opportunity, as teachers to make pupils aware that prejudice and injustice should not be tolerated in society and that every individual should be treated the same no matter what race or colour you are.

We can teach this in our classrooms through many different subjects including geography (climate change, migration); history (colonisation, resistance movements), languages (read stories from various cultures).

We can look at case studies of current events happening such as the war in Gaza. Debates and role plays could be used to develop their critical thinking.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Mel O'Donnell.

[Mel O’Donnell]

I think  developing education in the classroom nowadays is of huge importance to upskill our pupils into understanding the many global issues that we encompass in our society. Key issues such as poverty, climate change and human rights come to mind when I think of this. We have the opportunity, as teachers to make pupils aware that prejudice and injustice should not be tolerated in society and that every individual should be treated the same no matter what race or colour you are.

We can teach this in our classrooms through many different subjects including geography (climate change, migration); history (colonisation, resistance movements), languages (read stories from various cultures).

We can look at case studies of current events happening such as the war in Gaza. Debates and role plays could be used to develop their critical thinking.

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