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On a local level I have noticed changes in the seasonal cycle of trees and plants.I think there are less bees in my garden each year. There are also very few nocturnal moths. I used to have frogs in my garden but I havent seen one in years now. There has been more coastal erosion and I have seen large sand hills disappear after heavy storms. Although welcome there has been far less frosty or icy mornings We have had a water shortage all summer.
I think it is important to teach children to be aware of consumption at an early age. A lot of old fashioned habits were practical and easy to apply. Closing doors when the heat is on, not wasting material, only taking what you will use. I get the children to gather up all unused art materials and have scrap boxes of paper, material and odds and ends. I teach children to only put out a little paint at a time and to mix colours or look to a neighbour. Drawing paper comes from recycled photocopied paper. Each year I plant pollinating flowers in class for the children to take home.
I like the idea of class energy and recycling monitors. Showing the children the water cycle, how our water is treated and the water shortages in other countries helps children be more aware of water usage. Showing the children images of deforestation in the rainforests really makes an impact and they have a greater appreciation of where our paper comes from.
I loved the idea of bringing people in from the community to involve the children in recycling and upcycling projects.
Biodiversity is a topic that children really engage with. Planting for biodiversity, native plants, trees and hedgerows, school ponds are all practical hands on activities that children enjoy. Teaching children about seasonal produce, where food is being imported from, clothes mountains and their impacts in the environment and the countries they are being imported to will help them make more conscious and informed choices as adult consumers. As a school we could try to reduce car engine idling at drop off and collection times by getting the children to remind their parents to turn off engines. Encouraging children to look after and keep their school materials. Over the years I have really noticed the throwaway or just get another one habit increase. Encouraging children to photograph and share changes or activities they are doing at home eg picking beach litter or waterbutts would help promote a sense of community and togetherness. These could be displayed in a central part of the school.Hi Patrick, I have also noticed how plants are being affected by changes in the weather. I get a bit nervous when I see bulbs and buds growing unseasonably early. I wonder how this impacts on the wildlife depending on the natural cycles. It really does make climate change very real for me.
In a local community near me refugees have been successfully integrated with the help of the local community. A member of a local community group believes that the communitys decision to get to know these refugees is what made a difference. They have been involved in community volunteer projects such as tidy towns and helping at local events. This has allowed people to interact in a positive way. Members of the community also explained the local area and culture to help with this integration and avoid conflicts or past difficulties. The Local Development department supports local groups and initiatives. The local family resource centre also provides supports.
The Schools of Sanctuary programme uses the framework of learn, action and share to show they are a place of welcome and inclusion. The Global Development lesson plans support the schools of sanctuary learning step of the framework. As a nondenominational gaelscoil we teach the Croi na Scoile programme which teaches about and celebrates other cultural and religious festival and events. This is part of the action step of the schools of sanctuary framework. Our school could commit to engaging fully with the schools of sanctuary programme and integrate the global development lessons into it, along with the existing croi na scoile programme.That is a shocking and sobering example of what must happen in other parts of the world happening in Ireland. I can’t imagine the image of two young children left on the side of the road. Incredible courage and resilience. Good to see there is good and kindness in the world too. Those children deserve every opportunity and kindness in this country. I hope they continue to experience it.
I would choose Global Development Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production. As we live in the northern hemisphere of the world, we are probably one of the countries responsible for most of the worlds discarded waste. I often see children coming into school with plastic items/toys/ figurines which have no actual use but have been bought on a whim from well know shops. Although you dont want to make children feel guilty about consumerism it is important to show them how items are being marketed towards them and how these items are made and discarded. Children are inheriting the worlds climate problems and do need to be aware of the environmental impacts of these cheap disposable distractions.
I think Goal 10 Reducing inequalities is also important. Although the children cant effect change for other children around the world who dont have access to clean water they can become aware of the inequality of this resource. Helping children understand the work and struggle involved in accessing clean water in parts of the world would help them value this resource and be more responsible in their usage. There module on materials in the SESE curriculum would help children discover what their day to day school materials are made from and again how these items are produced and disposed of. It would be nice to foster a sense of minding your things in children rather than the throw away and replace culture they’ve been given.I really like the idea of a creative revamp of old clothes. For the younger classes it could be creating an out for for a teddy as they usually grow out of their clothes. It would also allow for more creativity as the children wouldn’t be as self conscious as they would be wearing their creation themselves.
I think the phrase ‘the commonality of emotions’ is such an important idea to install in children especially when there is so much division and othering in the world today.
I notice gender stereotypes when the children have free time or golden time and can choose an activity. The girls seem to have far more freedom to choose what they would like to do. Often some boys with stronger personalities and who like sports, football in particular can greatly influence the rest of the boys. There is a definite stereotype that boys would rather be outside playing football than doing art, drawing, writing stories, playing games or reading. Lesson 2 could be used to begin a discussion about stereotypes and the assumptions that we make. It could also be used to help give children a voice to identify and assert their own preferences. It could also expose children to a range of likes and dislikes and realise that your preferences are fluid and can change depending on mood and circumstance.
From the video in the slide previous to the paper on Global Development I learned that the aim of Irish development aid and programmes is to create a fairer playing field where people receive the supports and resources needed to help themselves. I think this is an important message for Global Development education. Children are naturally acutely aware of fairness and everyone being given a chance. Showing them that people are not different but that their circumstances are is important especially with the rise of racial right wing rhetoric.
The paper on Global Education emphasised the need to foster a sense that we as humans have a natural connection with each other and a symbiotic relationship. Exploring similarities between the lives of children in other cultures and countries is a central theme in the junior classes SESE subjects. Exploring how resources such as water and power are managed in other countries could help children understand their value and our role in using these resources responsibly. This could tie in with Global development education. The extreme weather events now in Europe also reinforces that this is a global issue needing a global cooperative solution.
As a whole school we teach the Croi na Scoile programme which educated and celebrates festivals, religion and cultures from around the world. I think it is an important part of Global Education to be exposed to the wealth and variety of joyous celebrations around the world. Many of these celebrations have common themes and celebrate the natural world.This is a fantastic idea. I imagine the children absolutely loved it. Children don’t seem to get a lot of opportunities for make and do but when they do they really enjoy exploring materials and using their imagination especially in groups. It is important to allow children to discover value and use in discarded or used material. It also promotes individuality in their ideas and designs.
I really like the three rules ‘ look after yourself, nature and each other ‘ . It is a lovely simple mantra for young children. In the junior classes children have a natural desire to cooperate and to help others. This mantra would help foster a sense of community with a shared value and goal.
I have scrap boxes for the offcuts of paper, cardboard and material used during art. The children know to look in the scrap box first before they use a new sheet. A small thing but its made them more aware of not wasting materials.
I don’t live near my workplace but the area where I live has a lot of active environment friendly groups and initiatives. The local tidy towns plant a lot of window boxes and flower beds in the village each spring and summer. I have noticed they have recently been planting more pollinating plants rather the traditional bedding plants. There are also several areas left grow wild around the village marked with signs like Pardon the weeds, we’re growing food for the bees. The annual best garden competition has an emphasis on wildlife friendly gardens and has published a list of suggestions. There is a weekly litter clean up. There is a local habit of picking up washed up rubbish, ropes and plastic on the beach as people walk on the beach. This seems to have happened organically as people have seen others doing it. The council regularly pick up the rubbish from the car park. The council has changed the lighting to more environmentally friendly lights and the Christmas lights are now turned off sooner. I have noticed more and more people are participating in no mow May.
Some of these initiatives could be brought into the school area like no mow May or wildlife friendly corridors. When planting with the children pollinator plants could be chosen. A small water feature could be placed in a corner of the school grounds. We have participated in Spring clean litter picking before.
Promoting school / home links in conserving water and power and avoiding food waste could be explored. Maybe making younger children sustainability ambassadors. I was really interested in the slides on sustainable labels. I didn’t understand what they really meant and had no idea that dolphin friendly and dolphin safe were two different things. I had never heard of Origin green labels. Displaying these in the classroom would help children recognise this labels when shopping.
