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I really enjoyed your post and it is clear you have loads of great ideas to support children who join your school. One idea that I think is particularly interesting is the buddy system. This is definitely something I would do in my school to ensure new students feel included and supported by their peers. Inviting speakers into school is a brilliant ideas and would be an amazing experience for the children to learn from someone in the community and encourage them to think beyond the school walls.
I found the process of researching support for refugees in the local area very interesting and quite inspiring. Groups such as Irish Red Cross Society and NCP work with refugees to support refugees in Ireland, promote inclusion and advocate for refugees.
Teaching children about refugees and migration is crucial in Ireland today as it is a common topic of conversation on the radio and on the news. Schools across the country are more diverse than ever which makes it extremely important we teach children about compassion and empathy for all people and particularly in relation to this topic.
I think that schools can do so much to help make refugee children feel welcome in the school. Having inclusion posters around the school that are made by the children can have a real impact on the overall school morale. An additional idea would be having flags, language displays are the school and classroom to represent all nationalities and all children in the school. The school could organise a donation day where people bring in items they no longer need and donate them to a local refugee centre. This could be organised by the Yellow Flag team in the school alongside the student council. This alone would teach children about the importance of giving and showing compassion. The Yellow Flag team in school does so much work in the school to promote kindness and inclusion. Food fairs where children bring in food from their own countries alongside celebration weeks of different nationalities are some organised events that allow children to show how proud they are of their culture and teach each other about different traditions and foods. In relation to the SSE, this links in with wellbeing, SPHE and the overall morale and spirit of the school. Teachers can work with students and parent to ensure that all children and parents feel safe and welcome in the school community.
I really enjoyed reading this reflection and it is full of great ideas. I like the practical ideas of composting initiatives and planting pollinator-friendly gardens. The garden idea is so hands on and children would have such a sense of ownership of their area. Linking in with the local council is a brilliant idea as it is not only a teaching opportunity for the children but helps them learn more about and build a connection with their locality.
The goal of Climate Action is one goal of the Sustainable Development Goals that I think is particularly important and very much a topic of discussion at the moment. Children often hear the words ‘Climate Change’, ‘Climate action’ and Global warming and it is important that children have a clear understanding of what climate change is. Children can see the effects of climate change locally through changes in weather patterns and extreme weather events such as flooding and heat waves in Ireland. While globally many children experience extreme weather conditions, drought, food shortages and changes in biodiversity. This Sustainable Development goal could be taught through engaging geography, science and SPHE lessons that provide children with information alongside ideas for how children can make a difference. To support the ESD to 2030 Priority Action Area 5: Accelerating Local level actions, I would start by brainstorming with the children what they think we can do to help the climate. I would encourage the children to join the Green school committee in our school who facilitate school clean ups, recycling bin initiatives to ensure recycling is done correctly in our school, and building bug hotels. These activities could be done as a class alongside the committee. Activities such as these create ownership for the children in the school and could encourage them to think beyond the school walls and about their own local area. Children could create projects and information letters about the work they have done in the school which could be brought home to encourage parents, families or neighbours to do these small actions that will make a big difference.
I really relate with your experiences. You have provided some brilliant ideas about how to teach children about gender stereotypes. I really like the idea of having classroom displays that do not reinforce gender stereotypes. Having books that children can read in the library is also a great idea. These are great ideas to help open the children’s minds to all possibilities.
Gender stereotypes are seen by children from a very young age. Children are always taking in what they see around them. I was surprised to learn that children learn stereotypes between five and seven. This highlighted for me how important it is for teachers to teach children about gender stereotypes and help children broaden their own understanding of it. From my experience I have seen children gravitating towards what others may consider not gender stereotypical but pull away when it is made note of by their peers. An additional example would be conversations about occupations or jobs and what gender works in what jobs.
Development education can be used to help open up conversations about gender stereotypes in a safe environment. It encourages children to think critically and open their minds to the possibilities of the wider world. Teaching lessons about gender stereotypes can have a significant impact on children’s view of the world by challenging beliefs in a positive way, promoting equality. I would facilitate classroom activities that are child centred and promote lots of discussion. Stories, pictures and videos can be useful for lessons like these to help engage the children. I would use open ended questions and group discussions which helps to teach children important life lessons in how to have discussions and differences in opinions as well as learning about the topic at hand. The classroom environment that I create is also important in relation to the topic of gender stereotypes. Making sure that the language I use around this topic, how I talk about jobs or colours and how I see the world is important as the children absorb and learn from their environment.
I completely agree and think it is a great way of describing teaching Development Education as empowering the students to take positive action. I really like the idea of partnerships with local organisations. This would have a huge impact on the children in relation to learning about how to make a difference while making connections with the locality.
After reading The Role of Global Citizens in Today’s World (Ehigie, 2021) I now have a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global citizen and the importance of preparing children for this important role. Our schools and classrooms are constantly changing and it is important that we adapt and reimagine our classrooms too. This reading along with the various elements of Module 1 has taught me the importance of teaching Development education in schools to teach children not just about the injustices themselves but about solidarity with others and to show children that small actions can make big differences.
In my classroom, I would try to make the most of opportunities to discuss injustices and inequalities whenever the topics arise naturally as well as through curriculum subject lessons. These conversations emerge through curriculum topics and everyday discussions. Exploring these moments in context helps pupils develop a deeper understanding of the issues and teaches them tools of critical thinking. I would incorporate Development Education through discussions, walking debates and drama activities to allow children to understand the wider world and learn the importance of justice, equality and empathy.
To encourage staff members in my school and in relation to SSE I would share resources I have acquired in relation to this topic and provide lesson ideas to encourage teachers to introduce Development Education into their classrooms. I would suggest whole school events/ weeks to highlight some of the key elements of Development Education. By using a range of resources and simple lesson ideas, I could highlight how Development Education is already woven throughout our curriculum and teaching. Making these connections more intentional in our teaching can have a significant impact on the school as a whole.
