An important part of a child's education involves learning about and understanding the lives, values and traditions of friends, classmates and members of the wider community. Much of this learning already takes place in Irish classrooms, where a child's sense of their own identity and belonging is nurtured and valued. To ensure that every child has the opportunity for such learning and to ensure that the good practices that already take place in schools are recognised, the NCCA are developing a curriculum in Education about Religions and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics.
Consultation on the proposals for a curriculum in Education about Religions and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics took place from 3rd November 2015 to 31st March 2016.
Education about Religion Beliefs and Ethics
Education about Religion Beliefs and Ethics
The project worked with a network of schools to share inclusive practices taking place in various contexts. These inclusive practices speak to the diversity in our communities and schools, religious as well as cultural. They also speak to the teaching and learning of ethics and values in our classrooms. Many are rooted in the Intercultural Guidelines for Primary Schools and may link to ideas in the proposals for Education about Religions and Beliefs and Ethics. Others developed from specific school contexts and needs.
Sharing Inclusive Practice: Introduction Video
Sharing Inclusive Practice: Introduction Video
Balbriggan Educate Together
Philosophy for Children
Philosophy 4 Children (P4C) is an approach to learning and teaching that supports children in their thinking, reasoning and questioning. It also supports children in expressing personal beliefs and values, and listening respectfully to those of others.
Human Rights Month
A whole school approach to developing a greater understanding, knowledge and awareness of the human rights that we share.
Eglish National School
Morning Ritual
A practice that aims to support children to develop a pro-active spirit to empower themselves in their own lives and to contribute to their own world.
Child-led Assembly
A practice that supports children develop their sense of responsibility and self-respect by taking leadership roles in their own assemblies.
Gaelscoil Riabhach
Croí na Scoile
A whole school approach to learning about diverse religions and beliefs based in school ethos.
Kilcoskan National School
Religions and Beliefs: A class project
A multidimensional project with senior classes in which children explored diverse religions and beliefs through inquiry and experiential learning.
Creating a school code: pupil participation
The inclusion of children’s voices in the development of school rules.
St. Thomas’ Junior National School
Intercultural Week
An approach to sharing and enhancing the cultural, linguistic and religious heritage that exists within a school community
Using picture books: mutual understanding
The use of picture books to explore the theme of mutual understanding in the junior classes.
Naas Community National School
The Respect Project
Description of a whole school project
Restorative Practice
Teachers discuss Restorative Practice, an approach to dealing with challenging situations in the school
Socratic Questioning
The use of socratic questioning to challenge stereotypes
Student Council
The establishment of a school council
Sharing Inclusive Practice Seminar
On April 19th the schools in the Sharing Inclusive Practice Network came together in Marino to celebrate the work that they do and to share this work more broadly. Prof. Aislinn O’ Donnell (Maynooth University) and Dr. Patricia Kieran (Mary Immaculate College) provided a stimulating keynote. Check out the highlights
Going Visiting
The Enquiring Classroom project
The Enquiring Classroom
NCCA are delighted to have been involved and contribute to the Enquiring Classroom Project. Check out the Enquiring Classroom Handbook. As part of an ERASMUS + Project Prof. Aislinn O'Donnell and Dr. Patricia Kieran have designed a handbook that speaks to some of the themes of the Sharing inclusive Practice Network. These ideas may helpful to you in your classroom.
