TrueTube have provided a film and accompanying assembly script that reveals the interesting story behind this annual tradition. The film takes on the humorous role of reporting the news in the time of 1605, presenting the key features of the dramatic event. The accompanying assembly script provides suggested activities, the story of Guy Fawkes in depth and even safety precautions on the use of fireworks. These resources are bound to get your students thinking a little deeper this year when they’re clustered together, gazing up at an illuminated sky.
Bonfire night to most people is a sign of winter coming. It is a time for friends and family to huddle together under bursts of fireworks, drinking hot cups of soup and swirling around sparklers by the dozen. But there is a genuine story behind bonfire night which must not be forgotten. At the heart of the catherine wheels, rockets and comforting food, lies an ingrained historical tale of religion, oppression and human rights. It marks the defeat of a terrorist plot to blow up the King and the Houses of Parliament in 1605. One of the members of the terrorist group, Guy Fawkes, was discovered by the opposition the night before the explosion was due to take place. But the core intentions and reasoning behind this historical tale are a little more complicated than just a failed attack. It all stems from the deeply rooted conflict between the Protestants and the Catholics in the time of Tudor England. Guy Fawkes was part of a Catholic uprising who wanted England to return to Catholic rule. At this point in time, England was ruled by a protestant King, and Catholics were deprived of many basic human rights amongst society. On one hand, Guy Fawkes was seen as a violent criminal, plotting against his King and Country, from another perspective, he was fighting for religious and political freedom. One man’s criminal is another man’s hero. A core reason to why we may have misplaced the story, is that it is a little too close to home: Radical members of a religion planning to overthrow the government at any violent cost and inevitably making life unbearable for honest, peaceful member of their religion. This is not by any means, a situation buried within history. TrueTube have provided a film and accompanying assembly script that reveals the interesting story behind this annual tradition. The film takes on the humorous role of reporting the news in the time of 1605, presenting the key features of the dramatic event. The accompanying assembly script provides suggested activities, the story of Guy Fawkes in depth and even safety precautions on the use of fireworks. These resources are bound to get your students thinking a little deeper this year when they’re clustered together, gazing up at an illuminated sky.
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The underlining principle of Diwali is something everybody can relate to, regardless of faith. It represents the notion of light overcoming darkness, good triumphing over evil, hope above despair and love over hate. In the Indian calendar, it is celebrated at the end of the lunar month, Ashwin which falls sometime around October or November. This year, it is celebrated on the 23rd of October and the global anticipation is indisputable. Lights are already starting to beam around the world, symbolising a principle that the realms of Hinduism strive towards. The celebration is based on ancient Hindu literature, namely the story of Ramayana. It is the story of how Rama defeated the evil demon Ravana and protected his wife Sita from harm. He was welcomed back to his Kingdom with open arms and a stream of lights. Hindu’s believe Rama was the God Vishnu in human form. He represents courage, integrity, and the power of light over darkness, all of which, underline the essence of Diwali. TrueTube have provided a range of resources to help you bring this colourful tradition to life in your classroom. An assembly script, lesson plan and three films can be found on the website, each approaching the festival from a different angle. Two of the films focus on the Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden. TrueTube explores the celebration by asking a range of temple visitors what Diwali personally means to them. The third film takes the team around the Diwali celebrations going on in Trafalgar Square, exploring the range of activities taking place and interviewing the public. The assembly script and lesson plan provide a detailed story of Ramayana, starter activates, main activities and a plenary. Diwali traditions and teachings do not have to be limited to Hindu celebrations around in the city centre, they can be illuminated within your classroom walls. Throughout history, ignorance has cast its shadow over the realms of religion as it has done for many ideologies. The act of jumping to conclusions without in-depth knowledge of what is being judged, can often lead to generalisation and fear. If we are to form an opinion of a whole religion, we need to look beyond specific violent groups of people who hijack the religious terminology. Extremists have used religion to justify their unimaginable crimes throughout history, and it has not by any means been limited to Islam. We must not forget the violent Crusades undertaken by Christians in the Middle Ages or the Zionist militants in Palestine who carried out terrorist attacks in the 1940's. Or the Sinhala Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka who promote violence against local Christians and Tamils right now in the 21st Century. This is highlighting just a few examples amongst many. People have not only committed hideous criminal acts in the name of their faith, but also in the name of their political, racial, or sexist agendas. They are only fuelled by the hatred of outsiders. It is through the power of education that people can see beyond the stereotype of the religious extremist. Whether you are an atheist, agnostic or a religious follower, respect for different beliefs should to be at the heart of each opinion formed. It is this variety of different perspectives and beliefs within communities, which makes our world so interesting. The ability to understand and tolerate such differences amongst the same society, plays a key part in community life and holds a key position in our sociocultural evolution. It is an essential component of peace. Teachings of all religions are often misinterpreted by the media, public and certain groups of people. In light of current news, the word Jihad has been falsely used by the media to represent terrorism. The importance of defining terminology accurately in a religious context plays a vital role in avoiding the simplification mentioned earlier. The word Jihad literally means ‘to struggle’. It can refer to the personal, inner struggle to be a good person and the external struggle, to defend peace and the religion itself. Violence should only be used as a last resort in such a defence, and this is where the confusion can lie. It is not a declaration of war against other religions as so many people think. TrueTube have recently produced the film ‘What is Jihad’ which explores the true meaning of the word. The accompanying Teachers’ Notes also offer a range of activities and discussion questions to help you get started. By interviewing an Imam, a Muslim youth worker and a Muslim journalist on what Jihad means to them, the audience will gain a better understanding of this often misunderstood concept. Approaching this topic from a religious perspective, allows Muslims to personally defend themselves from the generalisation and prejudice they constantly face from the media. The growing shadow of ignorance can be lifted for the next generation if we allow such voices to be heard in your classroom. Being sorry, being forgiven and being able to forgive yourself, are just a few key ingredients to leading a happy life. They are integrated into the notion of having a moral compass, a conscious guiding us through the paths of what we believe to be right and wrong. The ability to be truly sorry for when we go against this, and then being able to forgive ourselves, is no less significant in this cycle of atonement. These themes are reflected upon in most worldwide religions, each with their own underlining story, rituals and traditions. The Jewish festival of Yom Kippur mirrors the significance of these attributes. It is based on the parable of Jonah, a powerful story told in the Torah.
Yom Kippur takes place ten days after the Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The Jewish people use the days in between to say sorry to whoever they have wronged in the past twelve months. It is a time to not just say the words, but to express their sincerity in whichever way best suits the situation. It is a time to acknowledge their wrongdoing towards people in their lives and towards God. This is done through building new bonds in relationships, fasting and giving money to charity. TrueTube has provided an assembly script and film for this religious festival. The assembly script provides activities, key features and the history of Yom Kippur. The short, accompanying film takes to the streets of London, revealing the personal apologies of the public. Facing guilt, letting go of bitterness and moving forward from conflict, offer an escape from the hatred too often attached to such matters. These principles do not have to be limited to religion. It is something we should all strive towards and a key lesson for students to learn. The cultural and religious fabrics running through India, are completely intertwined. The numerous Hindu festivals are not just celebrated in the heart of this country, but throughout the world. Bursting with colour, passion and personal meaning to the individual people involved, these religious celebrations undoubtedly hold a firm place within the history and future of Hinduism. One particularly important tradition celebrated around this time of year is Navaratri. It lasts for nine days around early autumn and celebrates the female aspects of God’s character.
This tradition stems from the notion that God is neither male nor female. According to Hinduism, God is a spirit without a body and part of everything within existence. Hindus believe God can take the form of a variety of Gods and Goddesses, each one symbolising a significant characteristic. Navaratri is a time to reflect upon the power of the Mother Goddess and the gift of life. We all depend on the ability of women to give new life through birth, and this tradition reflects such gratitude. In Hinduism, all forms of God depend on Shakti, the female side of God’s personality. There are many forms of Shakti, each one symbolising a different, yet important female characteristic. Durga, the warrior incarnation of the supreme mother is particularly worshipped in this tradition. The protective, caring, loving and strong aspects of the female personality are emphasised through the rituals, beliefs and underlining story. TrueTube has provided an assembly script which highlights the key elements of this Hindu tradition. It includes the story of the Goddes Durga, key features about the religion itself, and suggested activities. The accompanying film explores the life of a young Hindu called Jai and his personal religious journey. The colour and passion underlining Navaratri does not have to be limited to the Hindu world, let it come to life in your early morning assembly. I have already gathered a patchwork of wonderful memories from this internship and I still have three months of content left to add to it. Last night, I returned home for a two day stay in The Royal Foundation of St Katherine’s. I was there to celebrate something that meant a lot to everybody involved. I am part of the ‘Time to Shine’ internship scheme funded by the Rank Foundation. The programme offers people the chance to get their foot in the door in the world of work. Graduates in particular, are all too familiar with the face of rejection when searching for that dream job. Time to Shine gave me the opportunity to finally apply my degree of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics to a workplace. As a marketing and research assistant at TrueTube, I have tried my best to put everything I have into the role.
Stepping out of my comfort zone has certainly been a key part of scheme, but has led to experiences I wouldn't change for the world. If you had said to me a year ago I would be sailing around the UK, presenting at the University of Oxford, attending award ceremonies at the Houses of Parliament and even singing the introduction theme song to an animation, I wouldn't have believed you. Primarily, I wouldn't have thought the variety of these different activities would be available under one job description. Secondly, I would have completely lacked the confidence. I remember the very first school I visited had only about fifteen people in the audience. I could hardly sleep the night before, and was a complete bundle of nerves on my way to the classroom when it was time to do my presentation. Feeling sick to my stomach, I just went for it and ended up doing exactly what I had planned. No slip ups, no stuttering and good feedback at the end. I just took the plunge. Since then, I have tried to apply the same attitude to all the daunting opportunities this internship has thrown at me. Daunting, but exciting. Every single time, finding the courage to do things I never thought I would do, has paid off. At the Royal Foundation of St Katherine’s Dock, I presented my ‘Time to Shine’ story in front of an audience which would have terrified me nine months ago. I was still nervous this time round, but I knew I was capable of doing a good job of it – and I did. I do not yet know what the future holds in store for me. Wherever fate takes me, I know the wonderful memories of this internship will pave the way for me. Bullying can be briefly defined as deliberately hurting another person physically or emotionally. As far as we know, it has always been a common behaviour of human beings, and a common behaviour of other animals. Often justified in evolutionary terms as falling under the heading ‘survival of the fittest’, this kind of oppression has always been part of nature. By no means however, does this mean that it can be justified in the modern day world. We cannot be blamed for the actions of our ancient ancestors, but we can make a stand against such behaviour in our own generation. To take an extreme example, rape is a natural behaviour within the animal kingdom but this does not mean we condone the act within our own society. There are certain naturalistic inclinations which are justifiably overcome by our notion of ethics. Crimes such as murder and rape fall under this category, but the term “bullying” remains a little hazy, especially when we consider the realm of cyber-bullying. There are so many different forms of bullying, the latest of which takes form on the internet. The internet is an extraordinary human invention which we should admire. However all wonderful creations come with their flaws. In this case, it is the cowardice of people hiding behind a screen. Due to the extraordinarily large scope of social media, it is impossible for the technical geniuses to monitor cyber-bullying, let alone the teachers or parents. Facebook, Twitter and phone apps are just a few of the platforms used to intimidate, sexually harass and blackmail others. The attribute of anonymity and the ability to delete data, adds to the sinister nature of this type of bullying. To prevent this kind of behaviour, the primary focus has to be on education. We must raise awareness of the history, scope and dangers of the issue to the youngest generations. A short film like the one below from Digizen, can offer support to people who may secretly need it the most. TrueTube provides a range of resources on bullying in general, many of which focus on cyber-bullying in particular. If you’re looking for a sensitive, yet informative way to tackle this topic in the classroom, then look no further. An important part of education, and indeed life in general, is to develop the ability to think for ourselves. In a world surrounded by technology and routine, easy solutions and calculated results have become the norm. The ability to stand back from a situation, to question it and challenge it is a skill many of us are losing our grip on. I am not only referring to the existential questions that have puzzled humanity for thousands of years; we don’t necessarily have to discover the meaning of life when reading a book or appreciating the beauty of a painting. What is important, however, is to think critically about the matter at hand, making our own minds up about the issue. Gathering knowledge and questioning what we already know should always go hand in hand. From our earliest years to our last, we can benefit from philosophical questioning, increasing our ability to reason, debate and understand a different point of view. Without this skill, we are not so very different to a computer being programmed with facts and figures. It is what makes us human, and gives us the initiative to seek knowledge in the very first place. It is for these reasons which I support the emphasis on philosophy within education. Your students should have the time to delve into the minds of their fellow classmates and reflect upon the diversity of opinions in the room, let alone the diversity of opinions beyond the school gates. Critical thinking can be used in all areas of education and holds a firm place in the study of religion in particular. Examining and reflecting upon a range of religious beliefs allows the upcoming generation to have a broader understanding of the world around them from cultural, historical and political perspectives. In the animated film “Proving God Exists” TrueTube has provided an introduction to the philosophy of religion, with teacher’s notes and an interactive activity to get your students brains ticking. In the film, a geeky scientist explores the main arguments for God’s existence, focusing on the key points, strengths and weaknesses of each one. The use of animation and humour make this film the perfect way to ease your students into what can be very complicated topics. The interactive activity offers a revision tool for your class, providing a stimulating task that the whole class can get stuck into. I have visited over seven universities and eleven schools since the beginning of this year, and often choose this resource to demonstrate. It has always received overwhelmingly positive feedback and continues to do so. Have a look at the link below and see what you think. It can be hard to find motivation once we've had a long break. A good few weeks of soaking up the sun and forgetting our worries can be tricky for anyone to leave behind. Going into the office Monday morning after three weeks in Thailand can be just as challenging as the first day back at school in September. Finding new goals and the determination to achieve them is the key. TrueTube has provided an assembly script, PowerPoint presentation and film which aims to inspire those of us who may feel a little bit lost when trying to get back into the swing of things. The resources aim to inspire the audience to think about their next goal and reflect upon the journey ahead. The same metaphor is used throughout the whole script, with a tower representing the ultimate goal and the dangerous path through the mountains representing the journey. The script offers advice on how to reach such targets, emphasising the fact that the climb towards the tower is just as valuable and rewarding as the achievement itself. By exploring the implications of danger, distractions and attitudes towards your objective, this resource is the perfect way to kick off the new school year. Acknowledging the importance of the journey towards our goal is something we can forget to do whether we are an adult or a child. These resources may benefit more than just your students, giving everyone the lift needed after time away. The deeply rooted history and complexity found within many religious traditions, often makes them a challenge to teach. This is particularly emphasised when a tradition holds a significant position within a religion. Eid ul-Fitr for example, is an extremely important event in the Muslim calendar. It is an essential part of what it means to be part of the Islamic faith, as it allows time for deep reflection and gratitude to Allah. Eid ul-Fitr means “the festival of fast-breaking” and marks the end of Ramadan, a month in the Muslim calendar when Muslims fast during daylight hours. The celebration begins with the first sight of the new crescent Moon and a communal Eid prayer takes place at a mosque. People dress up in their best clothes to signify the importance of the occasion, and eat all the delicious food they have resisted during their fast. It is a time to be with friends and family, and reflect upon the importance of being with the ones you love. It is also a time to fulfil one of the Five Pillars of Islam known as Zakat. This translates as charitable giving, and is a duty of all adult Muslims. People trapped in poverty are given money on Eid ul- Fitr so that everybody can share Allah’s blessing. Children are also given money as presents to mark this three day celebration. The most important aspect of this festival however, is to form an even closer relationship to Allah. The gratitude for food, water and self control, are all strengthened after the achievements of Ramadan. To explain the key features and history of this Islamic festival, TrueTube has provided two films and a lesson plan. One of the films explores the celebration by interviewing young Muslims as the celebrations begin, asking key questions about the event. The second film reflects upon the importance of charitable giving, and how raising money for a cause can be fun. The lesson plan offers a range of activities for the classroom, making this particular lesson one to remember. Whether you’re an experienced RE teacher or new to the subject, these resources offer a creative window into the Islamic world. |