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A specialist Religious Education and Art Teacher - I retired a few years ago. Now I am an Entrepreneur. I have created a Programme called The Seven Steps to Happiness. It is all about Reducing Stress, Building Resilience and Increasing Happiness. Before Coronavirus came along I gave Workshops and Retreats from my home. Now I am moving my work online. I share resources on TES to support my wonderful Teacher-Colleagues. Most are free but I spend hours on these so I charge for some of them. Enjoy.

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A specialist Religious Education and Art Teacher - I retired a few years ago. Now I am an Entrepreneur. I have created a Programme called The Seven Steps to Happiness. It is all about Reducing Stress, Building Resilience and Increasing Happiness. Before Coronavirus came along I gave Workshops and Retreats from my home. Now I am moving my work online. I share resources on TES to support my wonderful Teacher-Colleagues. Most are free but I spend hours on these so I charge for some of them. Enjoy.
70 posters to inspire - religion / spirituality
durgamatadurgamata

70 posters to inspire - religion / spirituality

(5)
I love using inspiring posters on my classroom walls – and indeed in my home. There are some wonderful combinations of photography with quotations from a vast range of cultures and inspiring people which I have used in the past – mostly from Argus. Argus is now part of ‘Trend’ so they may have stopped creating some of those I am familiar with. I was looking for these ‘old favourites’ but couldn’t find them. However I did find the following – and hope some may be useful. I will try to find out what happened to some of my favourites. Meanwhile – I hope you enjoy this sample.
Black Jesus, African Jesus
durgamatadurgamata

Black Jesus, African Jesus

(3)
This is a Power Point with 40 slides - all images of Jesus from an African perspective. It gives a sense of the way that Christians everywhere think of Jesus as their Brother, as their Friend, His divine aspect is for all, beyond the confines of one time or place, one nation or race. Christians everywhere can and do claim Jesus as their own.
durgamata blog  - from Thursday 13th Oct
durgamatadurgamata

durgamata blog - from Thursday 13th Oct

(2)
Continuation of my Meditation Blog. This started on 28th September in New York and ends on 30th October back in England. I have some notes in my diary which still need to be written up to include in this so I will add a few more files over the next few days. Some friends say I should edit the whole record and make it into a book!!! Well we will see about that.
The 2011 August Riots in London and beyond
durgamatadurgamata

The 2011 August Riots in London and beyond

(2)
articles about the riots to prepare work for exploring the riots and issues / emotions including grief, alienation, fear and anger opportunity to learn about, think, discuss and reflect in a supportive environment - but one which is able to explore and clarify right and wrong - to challenge and inform. Includes articles from a range of sources to show the different 'spin' journalist give a story. It's easy to scapegoat, stereotype and blame, harder to listen to and to learn. All agree change is needed, but effective change must be rooted in reality. See more in linked resource.
Interfaith Slide-Show
durgamatadurgamata

Interfaith Slide-Show

(9)
This is a ppt slide show which combines inspiring images and texts which share and celebrate the wisdom found in many different cultures and religions around the world. Texts explore and reflect on many aspects of life and look for common threads in the teachings of many different religions. There is a focus on peace and overcoming conflict - as well as a celebration of the beauty and wonder of life and the universe. thanks for comments. I will add the music I use if possible.
Malala Yousafzai  - a source of inspiration
durgamatadurgamata

Malala Yousafzai - a source of inspiration

(15)
includes speech Malala gave at the UN on 12th July 2013 Videos of M's recovery more vids inc reports and interviews from July - Nov 2013 some of M&'s blog + it inspires others wksheets 1 bckgnd to start of her speech Worksheet with 20 questions plus 2 - in process - on the substance of the speech. (yr 9 upwards needs adaption and differentiation.) Worksheet on UN and Human Rights Taliban 1 full text of letter from T with background Taliban 2 about T from a contrasting perspective Women&';s experiences of T rule. Buddhist statues destroyed by T. Drone attacks. feedback please
What is Religion - an approach for all ages
durgamatadurgamata

What is Religion - an approach for all ages

(8)
This is a Slide-Show conversation about religion which starts with the answers that a Reception class, part of a workshop I gave in March. Here I explore Religion using models of Jigsaw, Kaleidoscope, Music and Dance and cover concepts of Theist, Atheist and Agnostic I conclude with a section which explores the concept of God. This makes the Slide Show useful for KS4 and older philosophy students as well as younger children. Please give feedback and ratings Thanks, durgamata
Village Community - based on a Bengali village
durgamatadurgamata

Village Community - based on a Bengali village

(2)
The slide show is in the process of development - to support a family member who is studying Early Years Childcare in Kolkata, Having been to Bengali villages I googled things that I remember seeing there and this is a complete jumble of images. I suggest you edit it, arrange the images you wish to use and add text as required. I googled India Village and found some very interesting bits of contemporary news which may be useful in citizenship and international studies. The Stories may be good for drama and to give insight into village life and characters past and present.
Reflections On Life part 2 - InterFaith with music
durgamatadurgamata

Reflections On Life part 2 - InterFaith with music

(1)
Slide Show listed as video - closest description. Contact me 4 'sound track' for Inter Faith Workshops. Includes Chinese, African, Native American, Bah&'ai, Jain and Rastafarian texts/images + the &';Main Six'. Also uploaded in two sections as the full one won&'t load for some + a text only one (includes some images which communicate in a non-verbal way for follow-up work. Edit to suit your groups as full one is 25 mins. Contact me to suggest other images/text/music to use.. Do put some feedback and ratings
Reflections on identity, religion and racism
durgamatadurgamata

Reflections on identity, religion and racism

(1)
This document talks readers through a range of important topics, offering questions and activities at intervals for an interactive learning experience. Arising from concern about the rise in racism since Brexit and the fact that many in RE are non-specialists and may feel ill-equipped to explore complex and controversial topics like these I have drawn on my own experience of teaching RE to offer this resource. I aim to develop this, expanding it to introduce the major religions and adding illustrations, games and more related activities - but even in this form I hope RE teachers and teachers from many other subjects may find it helpful next term - especially with KS3.
Plans to sell off our forests
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Plans to sell off our forests

(2)
There are plans to sell off our national heritage forests. There is a growing campaign to stop it. This is a good project to involve all schools in as it has tremendous value as a cross-curricular subject and also relates to the health and well-being of the students, school, local and national community, As this falls within my remit as a Community Cohesion and Religious Education consultant I have collected some material on the subject and if any school would like an assembly or presentation to suit your age / sector / requirements I am available. Contact me on dcbluelotus@gmail.com.
Reflections on Life - with commentary
durgamatadurgamata

Reflections on Life - with commentary

(2)
This Power Point slide show combines images and texts to encourage thought, reflection and discussion about important issues including evolution, family and relationship, peace and conflict, poverty and homelessness, global warming, disability, courage and hope.. It has evolved from the earlier slide-shows but this file is designed for use with GCSE, and older classes. There are images which could distress younger students - It's good for upper school assemblies I hope you enjoy this resource and find it valuable.
continuation of articles and comments re the riots
durgamatadurgamata

continuation of articles and comments re the riots

(2)
more interesting and insightful articles with some of the comments from the related forums - I have chosen a fair variety of views to encourage debate. The Anarchy News article was recommended by a friend! Those articles which I find most useful I have marked with AA or AAA rating, In some articles I have highlighted sections that if I were preparing material for use in school I would include - and blue highlighting indicates particularly pertinent sections - but of course this is a personal reaction. By copying the material in an Unformatted style they will be easy for you to edit.
Capital Punishment Questions and examples
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Capital Punishment Questions and examples

(4)
There are 20 files here which explore many aspects of the subject of Capital Punishment. questions to use as a starter/plenary what is the difference between murder and manslaughter arguments for and against Capital Punishment, The UN and Amnesty and what they have to say on the subject several examples of wrongful convictions Religious Texts relating to Capital Punishment are 'in the pipe line'
articles -  Villages in India -- progress + change
durgamatadurgamata

articles - Villages in India -- progress + change

(2)
These articles cover many aspects of village life - including local democracy, provision of water, education and opportunities for women, caste problems etc. Useful in any international work, citizenship, community cohesion and Religious Education topics with KS3 KS4, GCSE etc.
Religion and the Environment, Global Warming
durgamatadurgamata

Religion and the Environment, Global Warming

(2)
There are references to useful sites and ideas here on the subject of Religion and The Environment. I will add to this - but at present there are also resources that explore Global Warming, Eating meat or being Veggi, Buddhist Peace Gardens and more.
songs to use in teaching RE or assemblies
durgamatadurgamata

songs to use in teaching RE or assemblies

(2)
My Wish or Somebody Loves You would be great to use as a reflection exercise or starter in RE or pshe. I will add other useful songs with video as I come across them. ' please share your own favourites and I will add them too.
choices, friends, gangs, consequences a true story
durgamatadurgamata

choices, friends, gangs, consequences a true story

(1)
My friend's two sons call me Grandma and I have known them for more than ten years, This is an account of the way the older son got into big trouble a few years ago. He is now in prison as a result. Get your students to work out all the different places where he made choices - which could have changed the course of that very sad evening, in which he was responsible for the death of his friend. I have now added another 'chapter&' three years on. I hope that by reflecting on this true story, they may be able to make wisher choices themselves. It might even save someone&';s life.
'God's Colours' + 'All Shall Be Well' with Lyrics
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'God's Colours' + 'All Shall Be Well' with Lyrics

(1)
My sister Jill Blackadder is a teacher in the Shetland Islands. She has been writing songs since childhood. They are spiritual and inspiring. You can contact Jill to obtain sheet music and the CD by emailing her directly - 'Jill Slee Blackadder' <Jill.blackadder@btinternet.com>, 'God's Colours&' is particularly popular, relates to Community Cohesion and RE good for all ages. All Shall Be Well is a more solemn meditation on life - all profits from CD sales go to charity. please give feedback and rating if you use this
Poverty, Hunger and Food Banks in the UK 2013 -
durgamatadurgamata

Poverty, Hunger and Food Banks in the UK 2013 -

(1)
This is a collection of articles and an interview about this important topic that is affecting more and more people in our nation. The recession is supposed to be over but Red Cross surveys show that in Europe many more people are trapped in poverty and a recent survey revealed that in the UK the use of Food Banks has tripled since April, caused in a large part by changes to the Benefits System and the introduction of the Bedroom Tax.