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I really like the idea of a zero waste policy at school Ciara. I know in my school we continue to have a huge amount of waste so we could work towards a zero wate policy by introducing different aspects of this over the next few years.
In Kerry , where I live , the impacts of climate change are increasingly evident. We’re experiencing more frequent and intense storms, rising sea levels, and changes in seasonal weather patterns, which affect agriculture, tourism, and daily life. Coastal erosion is also a growing concern, particularly along the Dingle Peninsula and other vulnerable coastal areas.
To engage students in exploring these impacts, I would integrate climate change topics across various subjects. For instance, in geography, students could study local weather patterns and their changes over time. Encouraging children to travel more sustainably and reduce their waste and energy usage are other ways I would promote this at school.
We can use the SSE to track progress in integrating sustainability across the curriculum, promoting active citizenship, and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.We introduced a buddy system this year and all the children loved it. We also moved class pairings around every term so that children had more opportunities to build new connections.
In Kerry, where I’m based, organizations such as the Kerry Refugee Resettlement Programme and the Tralee International Resource Centre (TIRC) are actively working to support refugees. These organizations provide vital services, including housing, language support, and integration programs, to help refugees settle into their new living environments in Ireland. They also work on fostering understanding and acceptance within local communities, ensuring that refugees are welcomed and supported as they rebuild their lives.
Schools can play a pivotal part in helping refugees settle into a community. They could, for example lead community drives to collect essential items like clothing, school supplies, and household goods for refugee families. They could also create welcome kits that include personal messages, artwork, and information about local services to help refugees feel more at home.
By taking these actions, our school would not only support the practical needs of refugees but also foster a culture of compassion and inclusivity among students, preparing them to be responsible global citizens who understand the importance of solidarity in a diverse world.
Hi Alyson,
I also work in a DEIS school and in the last few years we introduced a breakfast club which has made the world of difference to children who are coming to school hungry. It has made such a positive impact on their behaviour and their ability to focus in class .
Climate action is a critical Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that significantly impacts children at both local and international levels. As climate change intensifies, children face threats to their health, safety, and future opportunities. On a local level, in Kerry where I am based , children may experience increased flooding, extreme weather events, and changes in biodiversity, affecting their daily lives and the environment they depend on. However on a global scale , children in vulnerable regions face even more severe consequences, including food and water insecurity, displacement, and heightened exposure to diseases.
To empower students in my school to take action, I would integrate climate action into the curriculum by encouraging project-based learning that focuses on local environmental issues. Students could participate in tree planting initiatives, local clean-up campaigns, and energy-saving projects at school In the older classes I would encourage them to advocate for climate policies by writing to local representatives and raising awareness within their communities.
There are many ways I would try and teach Development Education in my classroom . After reviewing and reading the paper and conducting some more research I have learned that teaching Development Education (DE) to younger children involves making complex global issues accessible and engaging through age-appropriate methods. Some of the ways that I would bring DE into my classroom include : Use Stories: By choosing picture books and stories that illustrate global issues such as diversity, fairness, and environmental care. Stories can help children understand different cultures and lifestyles. Role-Playing is another way to encourage children to act out stories or scenarios from different parts of the world to build empathy and understanding.
I would also use interactive activities such as global Crafts by engaging children in arts and crafts from various cultures. This can include making traditional masks, weaving, or painting. Finally another strategy or tool I would use in my teaching of DE would be to set up a pen pal system . Setting up a pen pal exchange with a class from another country would help children learn about different cultures and develop communication skills.I also have Senior Infants next year. Thank you so much for sharing lovely ideas for Space week. I love the idea of incorporating songs and art, as at this age, that is how they learn most effectively.
I would like to pick the Activity Set: Rockets.
I would start the lesson by introducing the theme of ‘Rockets’ with a picture. Ask the children questions such as what do they see? Elicit from the children anything they know about rockets.
Read the story to the children- “Aliens in Underpants, Save the World” by Claire Freedman.
Discuss with the children that we are going to make our own rocket.
Experiment: “Balloon Rocket”.
Blow up a balloon and close it with a peg. Tape a straw to it and thread a piece of string through the straw. Get an adult to tie one end and as high as possible and hold the other on the ground. I will ask the children to predict what will happen. Release the peg and watch your balloon life off.
Free writing/ imaginative stories: Use your imaginative stories about adventures in space- what happened when you landed on the purple planet? What happened when the engine stopped working?I would like to do weather as a theme in my class for a fortnight.
There are lots of activities that could be integrated into this theme.
First, I would discuss all the different types of weather that the children know of. Discuss the elements of weather- wind, ice, rain, snow, sunny etc.
I will ask the children to record the weather for the fortnight. They will record this on a sheet with pictures.
The children will become aware of some of the effects of the weather on humans, animals and plants. We will do this through pictures/ videos and growing plants in the classroom. Seeds need warmth, moisture and oxygen in order to germinate. The connection between a seed and a plant- seeds are alive. Experimenting with them- putting them in different positions in the classroom to see what place provides best what they need.
Discuss the differences between living in a hot/ cold place- the penguin and the polar bear and how they keep warm etc.
Observing the wind turbines in our area and their purpose.
Aistear: dress up role play- dress for cold weather/ dress for warm weather. Clothes shop. Role play the weather forecast.
Art: Make pin wheels- gauge the wind, rain gauge, streamers to show the direction of the wind.Love this idea! I always try to incorporate planting seeds/ bulbs/ potatoes in my classroom during the year. I like the idea of a classroom blog to include parents.
Love this idea! I always try to incorporate planting seeds/ bulbs/ potatoes in my classroom during the year. I like the idea of a classroom blog to include parents.
Lesson based on Stars:
• Start the lesson by eliciting from the children what they know about stars. Record this on a KWL Chart.
• Read the Story: “How to Catch a Star” by Oliver Jeffers
• Pick one of the activity sheets based on the story: Spot the Difference, Join the dots, make a mobile, maze sheets, colouring sheets.
• Create their own constellations: Show the children simple examples of constellation on cards and on the Interactive Whiteboard. Discuss that constellations are patterns of stars in the sky and go through some of the names they have. The children could use some star stickers and some paper/card. Using silver or white crayons and markers, help the children connect some of the star stickers on their paper to create their own constellations patterns. They can copy the constellation cards or create their own patterns.
• Video based on stars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeNuj2GH8xg
• Going back to the KWL chart and elicit from the children what they have learned from the lesson.
