To make sure your students don’t forget to put a little extra effort in this Sunday, TrueTube has provided a few heart-warming resources to get the class thinking about all the important things our mums do for us. With an assembly script, PowerPoint presentation and the film 'My Mum', teachers won’t be short of ideas and activities before the big day. The resources also come with tips on how to best construct the assembly and be sensitive to those who have problems at home or to students who are going through bereavement. The assembly script goes into depth about the different theories of the origin of Mothering Sunday and thoughtful suggestions on how to make the day memorable. The PowerPoint presentation illustrates these suggestions ensuring that the ideas stick in the students’ minds and make the day wonderful for their own mammas. So for all those stressed out and tired mums you see dropping off their kids at the school gates, do this assembly for them and remind your students of that special bond they’ll never be without.
Chocolates, daffodils, cups of tea, breakfast in bed, tidying the house and a big cuddle. These are all things you should be thinking about this Sunday, because it’s time to make your mum feel like the best mum in the whole wide world – and she is. As we all know, it shouldn’t be the only day of the year we reflect on how wonderful our mums are, we should always appreciate all the things they do for us. All those lovely meals she’s cooked over the years, and all the times she’s been there for you when you needed her should not be forgotten, so it’s time to pay her back a little TLC. Every Mother’s Day since I was a little girl, I’ve tried to make sure my mum relaxes on the sofa with her feet up, which is often challenging in itself! Like so many mothers, mine has the typical problem of not being able to sit still for longer than five minutes because she always has so much to do. So most Mother’s Days it’s a case of trying to convince her to relax, as I attempt to make her cups of tea, tidy the house or even cook a nice dinner (not as good as hers of course!) To make sure your students don’t forget to put a little extra effort in this Sunday, TrueTube has provided a few heart-warming resources to get the class thinking about all the important things our mums do for us. With an assembly script, PowerPoint presentation and the film 'My Mum', teachers won’t be short of ideas and activities before the big day. The resources also come with tips on how to best construct the assembly and be sensitive to those who have problems at home or to students who are going through bereavement. The assembly script goes into depth about the different theories of the origin of Mothering Sunday and thoughtful suggestions on how to make the day memorable. The PowerPoint presentation illustrates these suggestions ensuring that the ideas stick in the students’ minds and make the day wonderful for their own mammas. So for all those stressed out and tired mums you see dropping off their kids at the school gates, do this assembly for them and remind your students of that special bond they’ll never be without.
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The process of being taken into care can be a daunting, and sometimes traumatic ordeal for a child. Being taken away from your family and friends, and all the little things which are so familiar to you at such a young age requires a lot of support. However, it’s important to stress that everyone involved in this big move is trying to protect that child and they are all looking out for the young person’s best interests. It is only by placing emphasis on this, that the child’s sense of security and confidence can grow. TrueTube has just launched a film from Biomation called 'Just So I Know' which depicts this important message. Biomation is a creative media production company which uses animation to help people explore issues they care about. In this film, two children who have themselves been “looked after” provide the voiceover to make it as relatable to the audience as possible. The animated characters include a little girl being taken into care, her social workers and all the people she meets along the way. The voiceovers take it in turns to follow the animated characters stage by stage, giving advice on how to handle the change, and reassuring the audience that everything will be ok in the end. Children who may be going through similar situations can feel comforted by the words of experience. It can also help the whole class understand what one or two of their friends might be going through. The reason I have chosen to blog about this particular film is because of the heart-warming nature of the resource. Using colourful clay animation, Biomation have successfully turned a very serious topic on its head, making a child feel more at ease, whilst helping them to understand the key points of their situation. I think if I was taken into care at a young age, watching a film like this would make me realise I’m not alone and there are always people I can talk to. This is a brilliant resource to use in the classroom if you’re trying to tackle what can be a very troubling topic without creating a negative atmosphere amongst your students. If children have problems at home, they can sometimes go unnoticed by people around them. This film could make a big difference to that certain someone sitting at the back of the classroom. Genetic modification and the use of medical science in fertility treatments can raise a huge range of ethical problems which need to be understood in depth if we are ever to make a judgement. It is something that has been argued about ever since medical science made its first steps into the realm of reproduction. An essential distinction to make however is the difference between IVF and “designer babies". Such a distinction is a very important one for me personally, because I was an IVF baby. In Vitro Fertilization is the process in which eggs from a woman’s ovary are removed and fertilised with a man’s sperm in a laboratory dish. The fertilised eggs are then inserted into the woman’s womb in the hope that the embryo will mature. “Designer babies” by definition, are created by the process of genetically modifying an embryo to ensure the presence of a particular gene or eliminate a particular defect. This is initially done through the process of IVF followed by a selection of a particular embryo according to the preference. Teaching such a complex and sensitive subject can be daunting, but hopefully TrueTube can help you out here. With no less than 8 films tackling this vast topic from different angles, you should feel more at ease when introducing it to the classroom. Religious, non-religious and medical views come from people who have had personal experience of this medical technology in one way or another. The most powerful film for me is the one that explores the first designer baby in Britain and how this extraordinary little girl saved her brother’s life. I have linked the film just below the text. Designer babies and IVF evidently highlight different ethical issues but they both face the argument that they are unnatural processes and therefore should not be carried out. If the medical world stamped out IVF because they did not want to ‘play God’, my twin sister and I would not be alive today. I owe my life to the hard work and intellect of these scientists and strongly believe IVF to be a blessing, undoubtedly bringing happiness to so many couples. My parents were told they could not have children for years, and eventually had a successful third round of IVF. On the subject of designer babies, my personal opinion is that genetically modifying an IVF embryo to avoid an inherent disease can be justified. It cannot be truly understood without being in the shoes of parents with terminally ill children. However I think we must avoid genetic modification for any other reason than the prevention of severe inherited disease. I believe that anything other than this abuses the very point of the process and takes science far beyond the ethical boundaries we should live by. I am very lucky to work for a company which aims to educate young people about such a powerful topic, and strongly recommend these films to start up thought-provoking debate amongst your students - whatever their opinions may be. It has certainly given me a chance to reflect on the miracle of IVF in my own life and how I wouldn’t be writing this blog if it hadn’t been discovered. But what do you think? This year, Sport Relief runs from the 21st to the 23rd of March and is an excellent chance to get your students thinking about Global Citizenship and how they can help to solve other people’s problems. Specifically, it aims to raise money for people living in poverty in the UK and all over the world. In the past years, money has been raised in a number of exhausting and entertaining ways to inspire people to get involved. Now, you and your class don’t need to swim the themes like David Walliams or cycle to the South Pole like Helen Skelton, because every small contribution also makes a valuable difference. TrueTube has provided an assembly script and film to help teachers create a buzz amongst the pupils. With school fundraising ideas, a PowerPoint presentation, script and creative activities, this resource is the perfect way to start off Sports Relief in your school. Whilst the assembly script will get the students fired up, the film that follows is bound to pull on your heartstrings as it explores the life of one inspiring boy from Ghana, called Raymond. In many parts of the world, conditions for children are unimaginable and far beyond the privileges many of us have been blessed with growing up. The film explores how Raymond, at the tender age of 14, has to work long hours in a dangerous gold mine to help support his family. He has no choice but to do the dangerous work, emphasizing the desperation of families living in poverty. The innocence and personality of this brave teenager shines through as the camera guides us through a normal working day. The film explores however, how Sport Relief has provided Raymond with an education which will help him escape the world of poverty and achieve his goals. The film certainly put things into perspective for me. We take so many basic necessities in life for granted on a daily basis, not realising how precious they are. It is easy to forget the number of people that go without decent food, water, shelter or an education. I am proud to work for a company that supports such a worthwhile charity, and gladly do my bit in putting the word out about how we can all help within school life. Just by using this assembly script and film on a Monday morning, you are helping make a difference to people who live very different lives to the ones we’re so used to. In the film, Raymond tells the camera man how he wants to be the president of Ghana when he grows up! With a bit of help from your school, let’s hope one day, this could become a reality for this ambitious young boy. The festival of Purim is one of the most entertaining celebrations in the Jewish calendar. It is certainly one you don’t want to miss out on in the classroom, as it teaches key features of the Jewish culture and faith. It is based on the story of a beautiful young Jewish woman called Esther who showed true courage when she used her natural charms to save the Jewish people in her Kingdom. Esther was married to the great Persian King, Ahasuerus. The King came very close to allowing the massace of the Jewish people before he was persuaded by his wife to help save them. The word Purim means ‘lots’ which refers to when people used to ‘cast lots’ when they wanted to make an important decision. This was based on the idea of Fate, and relying on the game to decide which path to take. The Festival gets its name because the baddie in the story cast lots to decide when would be the best day to kill all the Jews.
The Book of Esther is a Jewish Scripture, and can also be found in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This year, it is celebrated on the 15th of March, and is a time to give to charity, drink and eat with family and friends, and reflect on the courage Esther demonstrated in order to save her people. Many Jewish women believe it to be a day to celebrate feminism; others believe it to be a day of celebrating bravery of Jewish people in general. Whichever reason you choose, it certainly raises a good few ethical questions in the classroom. Is intelligence more important than beauty? Is it right to stereotype people? Should women use their looks to get what they want? TrueTube have provided an assembly script packed full with information about the traditions behind this celebration. In addition to the engaging narrative of the story itself, you will find two film links which explore the ethical implications of the event and a PowerPoint presentation. All wrapping up a very memorable assembly for your students. Happy Purim! Hinduism is arguably the most challenging religion to teach. With thousands of deities, a complex social structure and a very long history, it is important to get the facts right about this fascinating belief system. Scholars even debate whether Hinduism should be defined as one religion or many, due to its polytheistic nature. Many Hindus would argue that they worship one God, who takes form in many different avatars. Other Hindus would say that they worship just one God or Goddess out of the thousands belonging to the religion. Other key features include the numerous sacred texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita; the notion of Dharma and rebirth, and the many different festivals which celebrate heroic stories of the deities. There are countless stories of this nature within Hinduism, each with its own moral lesson underscoring the plot. For example, the birth and life of Krishna teaches courage, faith, destiny and ultimately good triumphing over evil. All of which are important values within Hinduism. Krishna was said to be an incarnation of Vishnu, the God of preservation. His purpose, in this human form, was to kill the evil King Kansa who had demon blood running through his veins. The underlining notion of good overcoming evil in this story is celebrated by Hindus worldwide. TrueTube has provided engaging, creative resources which break down this detailed story into easily digestible content. With an animated film and an interactive activity, your students are bound to be engaged with these compact resources. It would be as if they were watching a fun cartoon at home, without realising they’re actually learning a valuable part of their religious education. This film and interactive activity are a perfect tool to use at the beginning of the lesson, sparking the imagination and intrigue of your students. You could perhaps inform the class that they will be tested on the names of key characters after the film through an interactive game, which is bound to make them pay close attention. This is just one resource out of many TrueTube has to offer on Hinduism, all of which tackle the religion from different angles. Such a complex subject can be difficult to condense into a teaching resource, but I believe TrueTube has successfully captured that colourful, intricate essence which is emphasised in all aspects of this vibrant religion. Women’s History Month is celebrated every year in March since it was founded in 1981. It is a celebration of the courage, determination and strength that women have shown throughout history, when fighting for equal rights and social justice. It was not too long ago that women could not vote, use birth control, have an abortion or even get decent a job. The standard expectation of women was to stay at home, look after the children and be satisfied with the boxed-in lifestyle of a housewife. Women’s History Month allows us to reflect on the success of women in the fight for equality, and pay particular attention to the extraordinary achievements of individual women in times of severe prejudice and doubt. Feminism cannot be separated from the teaching of Women’s History Month as it is at the very heart of what the heroines of the past were trying to achieve. The numerous strands, themes and controversies of the subject can often make it a challenge to teach. To help you out in the classroom, TrueTube have provided a number of films which tackle feminism and sexual equality from different angles, be it political, historical or religious. They are all bound to spark off thought-provoking debate amongst your students. There is also a lesson plan on defining democracy, introducing the key features which hold governments together. The film that ventures into the history of feminism concentrates on what women have achieved in terms of sexual equality in the past, and the state of sexual equality in modern day society. It features a range of interviews with engaging characters, each with their own voice and opinions on feminism. Essential questions involving the current state of sexual equality and what can be done about it in the future are put forward in the interviews, giving a broad account of what the subject is all about and how it has played a significant role in many people’s lives. It’s that time of year again when we see how many delicious sugary pancakes we can eat in one go. It’s a day for flipping batter in the pan whilst friends and family sit around the table impatiently waiting for the next round on their plates. But it is also a day to celebrate a religious tradition that can sometimes be forgotten amongst the syrup, lemon and sweetened treats. Pancake Day, originally known as Shrove Tuesday, is a Christian tradition and the day before the beginning of Lent. The following weeks until Easter, according to Christianity, are a time to experience and understand the suffering Jesus must have felt when he wandered in the desert for forty days and forty nights. In the past, as with many Christian traditions, Lent was taken very seriously and many people fasted all day, only treating themselves to a plain meal each evening until Easter was upon them. In modern day society, most people live life as normal but give something in particular up for Lent in attempt to live a healthier life. Chocolate, cigarettes and alcohol are all common sacrifices amongst the public these days, until the countless Easter Eggs arrive in six weeks’ time of course. TrueTube has an assembly script for Pancake Day, focusing on the key religious features, history and intentions underpinning this scrummy day. There are two activities to choose from in the assembly script, each of which consists of flipping pancakes which is bound to cause a lot of laughter amongst the audience. The accompanying films explore self discipline, achievement and what we're all willing to give up. So before you head home from a day at work to flip your own pancakes, spark the imagination of your students with these resources. The film below explores the definition of sacrifice and the challenges the term underpins. As far as an update on school visits go - My presentation at the 'Continuing Professional Development' day at Bishop Justus went really well! I felt very welcomed by all staff, especially Ms Hamill who is an R.E teacher at the school. Many teachers kindly said that the TrueTube presentation was their favourite part of the whole day. Next stop: University of Gloucestershire.
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