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.
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.
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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.
I’ve been part of the TrueTube team for almost two months now, and have mostly used that time to settle in and immerse myself in the world of social media and the various teacher networks. I’ve been getting to know what we’re all about : the people, the passion and the subject content . A big part of my job will be to visit students and teachers across the UK to promote TrueTube and it’s all about to kick off. By meeting people face to face I intend to find out what teachers need in terms of support and identify the future needs of RE in this forever changing world. I already have fifteen visits lined up to various schools and PGCE courses at universities across the country and I’m planning more and more each day! As I said in one of my previous updates, I have already presented TrueTube at Bullers Wood Secondary School, which resulted in really positive, and useful, feedback.
With a degree in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, it is undoubtedly rewarding to have a job where I can share my passion for the subjects I enjoy. There has been a lot of nervous tension around the future of religious education, and I hope I can contribute to sustaining the position of this important subject within school life. Religious education is a huge part of a young person’s social, moral and cultural development, encouraging the understanding and respect for diversity and different beliefs. How are we to understand ourselves if we cannot grasp belief systems which are so deeply rooted within the history of humanity? One of my main aims for each visit this year is to inspire and encourage students of all faiths and none to take an interest in understanding different religions and cultures, in the hope that this essential part of education is not neglected. I am visiting Bishop Justus Church of England School tomorrow to do a presentation at a ‘Continuing Professional Development’ Day for a range of teachers from different local schools. It will be the first presentation I’ll give to teachers-only audience, and I am looking forward to hearing what teachers think of TrueTube, and their personal opinions on where they see the subject heading in the future. Hopefully it will be a successful day, and be one of many more inspiring visits I have lined up for the coming year. If you would like me to visit your school or university, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] Six short films have just gone live on TrueTube, each telling the story of a different person from the London Borough of Haringey . They are the result of a project set up by TrueTube with VividEcho and Haringey Council which helped Young Offenders from the borough reflect on the stories of local people who either came to Britain as immigrants, or who are from immigrant families. The young people were trained in filming and editing and have successfully produced artistic, thought-provoking content. People’s Day will be celebrated by Haringey Council for the first time in June, and these films will be shown as part of the celebration. The focus of all these films is to explore and celebrate the diversity and achievements amongst the community. Six characters are presented in this series, all of whom explain how they stepped out of their own culture and into a completely different world. Some have faced prejudice in their past, ranging from a woman who tells the story of living as a young Jew under Nazi rule, to an ex-soldier who is keen to dismiss the violent stereotype of the army. Other characters do not have a story entailing discrimination, but one of salutation; such as Gerassimos and Neville who explain how they embraced the British culture when they arrived from completely different surroundings and are proud of their personal achievements whilst living here. I find the most moving character to be Joan, who may appear to be an ordinary lady on the streets of London, but she does in fact have an extraordinary story. Joan was born in Brussels in 1940 to Jewish parents who faced the hatred and intolerance of the Nazis when the German army invaded Belgium. In the hope that her daughters would lead a better life, Joan’s mother sent her children away from danger to America to be fostered. Being so young at the time, Joan explains through heart breaking words, that she lost touch with her past and only understood the sacrifice and hardship involved once she was older and re-joined her parents in England. Joan says that one of her biggest achievements was putting one foot in front of the other, which certainly reflects the suffering rooted in this woman’s journey. After picking up her education later in life and having raised a family, putting one foot in front of the other proved to be the start of a happier life. You'll find the Joan's story linked below. These six clips are a perfect source of inspiration in Citizenship or RE lessons, and are bound to spark off stimulating discussion. They cover themes of bravery, acceptance, dedication and achievement and all of them are inspiring. Walking down the street and passing hundreds of people every day, we can become detached from the crowd. Films like this make us remember that the blur of anonymous faces are individuals in their own right, each with their own unique story to tell. Sometimes, the smallest acts can have big consequences. There is one small act we can all do which can have a big impact in the developing world. By buying Fairtrade products, we are ensuring people at the beginning of the chain are being fairly treated, unfortunately something that does not always occur. Many of us are aware of the Fairtrade Mark , but are not entirely sure what it means. We may know it’s something about being fair, and something about trading. However if we want to live in a fairer world, it is important that adults and children alike, grasp the full concept of what Fairtrade is all about. Fairtrade is a charity which ensures workers and farmers in the developing world receive fair terms of trade. It ensures decent working conditions and local sustainability for people who are vulnerable to the power of big companies. What can we do to take part? In celebration of Fairtrade Fortnight (24th February to 9th March), TrueTube has produced resources to get young people thinking about this type of global injustice and emphasizes the main focus this year - Fairtrade bananas. An Assembly Script, PowerPoint presentation and film can be found on the website and provide the perfect focus point to start thought-provoking conversation amongst your students. We must not let young people in our schools become ignorant of the hardship and corruption across the world. Education underlines the very aim of what charities like this are trying to achieve. All of which, can start from an inspiring assembly. So go bananas, and get involved. Below, you'll find the film connected to the assembly script and PowerPoint presentation on Fairtrade. All of which, can be found at TrueTube. This week, I’ll be discussing a subject which has been of great interest to me ever since I was properly introduced to it at university. The intriguing, colourful world of Buddhism fascinated me, and it was undoubtedly one of my favourite topics to study. I vividly remember being assigned my very first essay on Buddhism and massively underestimating the diversity, depth and beauty of what it all entailed. I’ve had the chance now to look back in time and realise just how much I enjoyed researching that particular essay, and how popular the subject was among the other students. The lectures on Buddhism were always packed, and we were all eager to learn more about this spiritual world and lifestyle. The reason I have the opportunity to write about it now, is due to the captivating films TrueTube has to offer on its origin, belief system and culture. Once again, the team have successfully managed to mirror the essential qualities of the subject matter through the use of engaging imagery, strong characters and relatable context. The film from the website that particularly grasped my attention was the animation ‘The Enlightenment of the Buddha.’ There are many benefits to using cartoons when teaching. The concepts you will be trying to convey to your students are instantly entailed within the imagery of the cartoon itself, which is more engaging than a big chunk of text. This particular use of animation concentrates on how the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, discovered the path to enlightenment and became known as the Buddha. The voiceover to the film plays a vital character within the storyline: Mara, The Lord of Hell speaks with Siddhartha Gautama as he meditates, trying to tempt him away from the right path. Through these words, and the diverse imagery, the voiceover tells the story of the Buddha, stressing the key points to the story. By the end of the film, your students will know how Siddhartha Gautama was, what he was trying to achieve, and a detailed account of how he achieved it. By presenting the foundation of Buddhism in the form of a vibrant cartoon, you’re giving your students the chance to truly engage and enjoy this complex part of their religious education. This is only one resource out of a wide range that TrueTube has to offer on Buddhism, all of which possess their own unique angle and creativity. You’ll see from the link below, how a mix of colour, entertainment and religious facts can be a valuable combination to use in the classroom, and one you won’t forget. The day of love is approaching, exemplified by the heart shaped chocolates in the shop windows, cheesy cards filling the shelves and roses booming around the flower stools. However we all know Valentine’s Day is not just about the cliches and chocolates, there are many issues surrounding the topic which are important lessons for young people to learn in PSHE. Relationships, sex, friendship, babies, marriage, families and kindness are all factors underpinning the meaning of love, and Friday the 14th of February, is the perfect day to get your students thinking about it all. TrueTube has a range of resources teachers can benefit from on Valentine’s Day including four films, an assembly script and a PowerPoint presentation. The TrueTube assembly script on Valentine’s Day is certainly one your students will remember. It explores the three versions of the celebration’s origin, each one tangled with religious conflict and a few historical facts. It is true that St Valentine was a saint of the Catholic Church but different versions of how he came to uphold ‘the day of love’ have all fought for a place to be the true origin of the tale. The assembly script tells the different versions in a story like manner, careful not to miss out any gory details, or pagan myths that will engage the students. The aim of the three games in the script is to get students thinking about the true meaning of love and kindness, all through the effort of team work. The script also notes when and how to use the PowerPoint and films TrueTube has on the subject, paying close attention to which film would be most relevant at each time slot. So by the end of the assembly, your students will have had the chance to develop their team working skills and will have learnt a detailed account of the mysterious history surrounding the day. The four films all come from slightly different angles, underpinning an important factor within this large subject area. Philosophical, ethical and biological aspects of love and sex are put forward in the classic TrueTube form with young people relating to one another. By using the full range of these valentine resources, you are conveying valuable lessons about relationships to your students. Below, you will find the TrueTube film 'I think I know What Love Is', an intriguing clip to help you get started. One more thing to add....
I did my first school visit to talk about TrueTube last week, and deliberately picked my old secondary school. A place full of good memories and familiar, friendly faces was a good starting point. Instead of interviewing three teachers for a few minutes each, I ended up taking four different classes ranging from year 7 to 10! Even though I was unprepared and nervous, my passion for the subjects and resourcefulness of TrueTube got me through, and I felt like I had done a really meaningful job by the end. I spent each lesson selecting a film from the site, and using it as a tool to start thought-provoking debate amongst the class. The positive feedback from the students and teachers has boosted my confidence dramatically - something I will need this year! It will hopefully be the start of many worthwhile school trips! If you would like me to come and visit your school, please feel free to contact me. Adults are not the only ones who deal with stress. Children and teenagers are just as likely to feel the weight of the world from time to time. Although these factors may be small and not seem to be a big deal on the surface, small things can build up and make even the youngest of people feel overwhelmed with worry or anxiety. It is important to recognise the different causes of stress, how to handle it, and how to deal with mistakes and move on. Without this basic understanding and ability to cope with problems, it can lead young people to take much darker paths, finding short term fixes through alcohol and drugs. TrueTube have just launched a new film by Biomation tackling such issues. 'The Stress Bag' gives young people advice and support on how to deal with stress and how people around them can help. A creative metaphor is used throughout the film to make what can be such a complex issue, easier to understand. Hundreds of blue beads are used to represent different factors of stress whilst a brown paper bag represents our minds. The film emphasizes the fact that stress is a normal feeling which every human being experiences. It is particularly important concept for young people to grasp because of the naivety attached to mental health. If a young person is not educated about the diversity of mental illnesses, they may mistake how they are feeling for something else which can lead to even further problems. For example, if they are feeling slightly stressed out with school work they may mistake this for severe depression which leads to unnecessary anxiety. Alternatively, they could suffer from severe depression and mistake it for short term stress, and not seek help. Ignorance like this can be avoided through education. The film then goes on to name the different factors of stress. This is all done through the bead and bag metaphor, mirroring the content of the voiceover. Like so many of the Biomation films a colourful, light hearted metaphor and a young voice over successfully makes a darker, serious subject easier for youngsters to understand. This is the perfect film for those students who are growing up very quickly and need to be able to deal with the pressures in life we all face. Coping with how many beads we have in our brown bag can be a lesson we can all benefit from! Every February in Britain since 2006, we speak out for LGBT people, and celebrate the contribution they have made to our society. It is not only race and gender that have met the ugly face of prejudice in the past. Homosexuality has been subjected to a long history of discrimination and it is during this month every year that we rise up against homophobia. LGBT month is a time to celebrate the lives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual people and their achievements throughout history. It is celebrated in February in Britain to coincide with the anniversary of Section 28’s abolition in February 2003. Amongst other things, the law effectively banned the teaching of homosexuality in schools, a law that added to the isolation and discrimination of a large minority of people. It is the abolishment of laws such as this that has allowed Britain to grow as a tolerant and accepting community, which it will hopefully continue to do. The main aim of LGBT month is to encourage cultural pluralism and diversity. To help people find the inner strength to be proud of who they are - be it gay or straight - and let this be a proud part of their identity. Last year, LGBT month concentrated on LGBT people in the fields of maths and science engineering with particular acknowledgment of the mathematician Alan Turing whose talent and genius was met with the hatred and ignorance of homophobia. This year takes a look at the contribution LGBT people make to the world of music. Many artists will be celebrated for their achievements including Jesse J, David Bowie, and Elton John. This month does not leave out LGBT people from the past either such as the classical composer Tchaikovsky who achieved extraordinary things despite being alive in an era when homosexuality was an indisputable crime. This year in particular, is a big one for the LGBT community as it coincides with the winter Olympics starting on the 7th of February in Sochi, Russia. The upcoming event has sparked a controversy due to the enforced homophobic policies and laws of the country. Many gay contenders from around the world have refused to attend the event on these grounds. The positive outcome of this situation is that the victims and culprits of this discrimination are globally revealed, encouraging further education on the dangers of prejudice. I am proud to stand up to the ignorance and inequality attached to homophobia and proud to work for a company that encourages such acceptance amongst young people. It didn’t take me long to figure out my favourite resources from True Tube, with their ethical films on gay rights being one of them. All the resources take into consideration the sensitivity and maturity level of students you may be teaching, and provide guidance throughout. The principle of equality is at the core of these resources, a lesson that always has been and always will be important to teach. One more important thing for teachers: We now have subtitles for over 60 more films for the hearing impaired in addition to the ones we already have – and more will be following! The film below concentrates on dispelling any myths about the gay community. It is one of seven compelling films TrueTube has to offer on gay rights (not forgetting the supportive lesson plan and assembly script!) |