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The RS and P4C Specialist

Average Rating2.97
(based on 40 reviews)

I am curreny teaching across the Key Stages as the Head of Religious Studies in a comprehensive secondary school. Previously I have led a RS department in an inner-city school and also taught Humanities including experience of teaching Geography at KS3, as well as History at KS3 and KS4 and Sociology at KS5. I'm a Religious Studies and Philosophy specialist, having studied Philosophy at university and taught RS at KS3, KS4 and KS5.

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I am curreny teaching across the Key Stages as the Head of Religious Studies in a comprehensive secondary school. Previously I have led a RS department in an inner-city school and also taught Humanities including experience of teaching Geography at KS3, as well as History at KS3 and KS4 and Sociology at KS5. I'm a Religious Studies and Philosophy specialist, having studied Philosophy at university and taught RS at KS3, KS4 and KS5.
Meditative Yoga in Hinduism
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Meditative Yoga in Hinduism

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A lesson suitable for KS3, KS4 and KS5 - in my experience all students love to try out meditative yoga, whatever age they are. The teacher input can vary depending on age and ability, but there is scope to delve deeper into the relationship between Atman and Brahman and Moksha and A-level students tend to give much more analytical answers when reflecting on their experience of the meditation. This works best when the teacher gets the whole class involved and is also confident to participate in the meditation themselves (in my experience). On slide 2 it goes through the 8 stages of meditative yoga in Hinduism and I tend to attach a student action to each one, e.g. abstention involves them giving up their shoes or mobile phone, for the duration of the meditation. There should be no problem with 100% student engagement if this is the case - I always get fantastic feedback, especially from students who are usually difficult to keep quiet. Likewise, be confident to ask the whole class to get comfortable in a specific position and practice deep breathing. Most importantly, all students (and the teacher) should close their eyes during the meditation.
The Hedonic Calculus
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The Hedonic Calculus

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A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level as an introduction the Jeremy Bentham's Hedonic Calculus in moral decision making. Introduces the concept of calculating pleasure through a number of daily routines which will make it easier for students to get to grip with each of the 7 factors in the calculus, before going on to applying them to moral dilemmas. Students then have a chance to assess the benefits and drawbacks of the Hedonic Calculus in writing. A scrabble themed plenary adds some literacy and a competitive element to the lesson.
Jeremy Bentham's Utilitarianism
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Jeremy Bentham's Utilitarianism

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A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level Philosophy and Ethics to introduce Jeremy Bentham and his concept of Hedonism in moral decision making. Includes an introduction to the notions of Teleology, Utility and happiness in Utilitarian morality. Includes a 'peer teach' activity which always goes down extremely well with students - I usually choose the most able students in a class to become 'teachers' and ask them to relate the information to the rest of the class in groups, which then rotate from teacher to teacher every few minutes. (NOTE: at GCSE this PPT will take 2 lessons of 60 minutes, whereas A-level students normally manage in 1). There are also 3 moral dilemmas for students to apply Bentham's ideas to which engages even the most dis-disillusioned students.
Where does evil come from
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Where does evil come from

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A Philosophy for Children lesson focusing on the nature of evil and suffering, including the concept of both moral and natural evil and evaluating the Christian concept of God as omni-benevolent.
Palliative care as an alternative to euthanasia
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Palliative care as an alternative to euthanasia

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A GCSE or A-level lesson investigating the benefits of palliative care and how it compares to euthanasia as an end of life decision. Three case studies allow students to apply palliative care and compare it effectively to euthanasia. The main task is an extended piece of writing, which is differentiated by both task and ability and is aimed at stretching students in their critical analysis.
Introduction to Morality and Ethics
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Introduction to Morality and Ethics

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An introductory lesson to morality and ethics revolving around 5 contentious moral issues, which students are asked to respond to through discussion. A very engaging lesson that motivates all students to participate and promotes debating skills. In my experience, this works best when students can discuss each issue in groups before feeding back to the class and allowing different groups to go into short 'head-to-head' debates. Alternatively, this works very well in a P4C format, where each student is given a set amount of contribution tokens for the lesson and has to 'pay' for every contribution and can then no longer contribute when they are out of tokens. This really forces students to consider when to put forward their view.
The Teachings of Jesus
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The Teachings of Jesus

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GCSE lesson on the teachings of Jesus, including focus on the 'Sermon on the Mount' and the importance of Jesus' sacrifice. Follows the 'NEW' Edexcel GCSE specification.
An introduction to Situation Ethics
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An introduction to Situation Ethics

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A GCSE or A-level lesson introducing Situation Ethics and Joseph Fletcher's core principle of Agape. Introduces the Working and Fundamental principles which govern moral decision making in Situation Ethics. Each task is designed and differentiated to work either as written work or class based discussion. The attached work sheet gives a summary of Situation Ethics which students have found very helpful for revision.
Dharma in Hinduism
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Dharma in Hinduism

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A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level Hinduism, which can be adapted to suit KS3. A comprehensive examination of Dharma in Hinduism, ranging from Sanatadharma to Varnadharma and the role of the Atman in Hindu Dharma. Includes two very engaging video clips as well as diamond 9 activity and reference to sources of wisdom and authority. There is a lot of content (planned for a 100 minute lesson), so it may be suitable to split this into 2 lessons (if you teach 60 minutes). There is a chance for students to be creative by writing a diary entry from the perspective of one of the Varnas and an interactive plenary focusing on the Atman, This lesson is particularly relevant for high ability students.
The Design Argument
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The Design Argument

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KS3 lesson based on the NEW SACRE RS specification, focusing on Paley's Watch argument and how this can lead to a Christian belief in God. Also suitable as an introduction to the Design Argument for KS4.
The Bible as a Source of Authority in Christianity
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The Bible as a Source of Authority in Christianity

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KS3 lesson on the Bible as a source of authority in Christianity following the NEW SACRE KS3 specification for Religious Studies. The focus of the lesson is on independent and peer-to-peer learning and encourages the use of HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills). Also ideal as a recap or 'skeleton' lesson for KS4 students.
The Big Bang Theory
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The Big Bang Theory

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GCSE lesson on scientific views on the origins of the world, focusing on the Big Bang including an activity sheet with evidence for the Big Bang. Follows the 'NEW' Edexcel specification for the 2017/8 GCSE in Religious Studies.
Attitudes to divorce in the UK
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Attitudes to divorce in the UK

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GCSE lesson on the attitude to divorce in the UK, including the legality of divorce as well as viewpoints from Protestant and Catholic Christians. Should be used with the worksheet and information PPT. Follows the 'NEW' Edexcel GCSE specification.
Act Utilitarianism
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Act Utilitarianism

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A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level to introduce Jeremy Bentham's Act Utilitarianism. The main focus is on Bentham's 'Principle or Utility' and how it can be applied to moral decision making. The lesson gives a comprehensive introduction to action based Utilitarianism and includes several moral dilemmas for students to apply to the theory. The main task gives students a range of essay based questions to choose from to argue either in favour or against the 'Principle of Utility'.
The Nature of Brahman in Hinduism
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The Nature of Brahman in Hinduism

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A GCSE or A-level lesson focusing on the nature of Brahman in Hinduism based on sources of wisdom and authority from the Puranas, Upanishads and Vedas. A creative main task for students to compose their own hymn to Brahman.
Hindu Deities: Ganesha
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Hindu Deities: Ganesha

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A visual and creative lesson which can be adapted to suit all abilities and all Key Stages, but is especially effective at GCSE level. Focusing on the symbolism of the Hindu Deity Ganesha and how he links to the overall concept of Brahman in Hinduism. Includes a brilliant video that explores the different aspects of Brahman as well as an opportunity for students to be creative and draw and colour their own Ganesha template (lower ability) as well as to analyse the symbolism of Ganesha in more depth (higher ability). The main task allows students to explore Hindu Deities through De Bono's hats, which is a great differentiation tool.
The Sanctity of Life
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The Sanctity of Life

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A three lesson short-term scheme of work to introduce the topic of abortion and euthanasia suitable for GCSE or A-level teaching. I have found this introduction sets the tone really well with students for an in-depth analysis and evaluation of why Christians place such importance on the sanctity of life and how this in turn reflects on their attitudes to abortion and euthanasia. Includes reference to sources of wisdom and authority from Christianity. Start with the lesson on the purpose of life, followed by the value of life and end with the quality of life, which starts to question Christian concepts and gives students the opportunity to contextualise the concept of the sanctity of life.
Utilitarianism
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Utilitarianism

5 Resources
A medium-term scheme of work covering an introduction to morality and ethics and examining the Utilitarianism of Bentham and Mill in a comprehensive overview, suitable for GCSE or A-level Religious Studies. Start with the introduction to morality and ethics, followed by Act Utilitarianism and then the Hedonic Calculus. Finish off with Bentham's and then Mill's approach to Utilitarianism.
The Holy Trinity
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The Holy Trinity

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GCSE lesson on the Holy Trinity in Christianity, exploring Christian beliefs through quotes from the Bible. Follows the 'NEW' Edexcel GCSE specification.
Did God make the world
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Did God make the world

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A Philosophy for Children lesson suitable for KS3, exploring the concept of philosophy and facilitating independent thinking about the origins of the universe. Key words: God, Looking for God, who is God, did God make the world, philosophy, what is philosophy, the universe, who created the universe, the nature of God, KS3, RE, beliefs and values,