Web Site: Thunks
About this site / Ideas for this site
Topics to nurture meaty discussions!
Lessons on responsible pet ownership for 3th /4th and 5th / 6th
Fantastic stimulus to discussion around beliefs and values. Videos and resources.
Lessons and resources on gender.
Type of Resource: Free resource, Printable Resource
Resources as Gaeilge to support teaching and learning around the Learn Together.
Type of Resource: Free resource, Printable Resource
Lessons and resources as Gaeilge for the Learn Together
Type of Resource: Free resource, Printable Resource
Lessons and resources as Gaeilge for the Learn Together
Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource
Three powerpoint lessons:
History of Traveller Traditions
Modern Life in the Travelling Community
Traveller Rights, Activism
Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource
Learn Together has an objective that children should learn about the National Children’s Strategy. That is now outdated, but the subsequent policy framework has a similar spirit. This ppt introduces both and explains their intentions and considers the outcome.
Also touches on UNCRC.
SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland)
Link to Book: https://www.seai.ie/community-energy/schools/climate-sos/
A new reader from SEAI, developed by Orla Kelly, DCU; Lucinda Jacob and Alan Nolan. It’s a non-fiction adventure book aimed at senior primary on the topic of nature and climate action.
Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource, Free resource
Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource, Free resource, Printable Resource
This is a children’s novel about living through the pandemic. It explores issues around Covid-19 in a child-friendly way. It’s also funny and poignant. Teaching ideas are included.
Review: Intouch
Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource, Free resource, Printable Resource
Teacher Packs on single-use plastic
Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource, Free resource, Printable Resource
Lessons on single-use plastic for all class levels
This resource outlines ways of organising circle time during Covid-19 with the clear aim of supporting and nuturing pupils.
Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource, Software, Free resource, Printable Resource
This fabulous EYFS book will help to promote the beauty of diversity and celebrate differences.
The beautifully illustrated resource is a great way to teach an ‘Ourselves’ or ‘All About Me’ topic and will help children to talk about themselves and others positively and respectfully.
The EYFS book looks at all the ways in which people are different, such as hair types, families, likes and dislikes.
Take a look at the full range of additional resources to support this story.
Even if they struggle to read at this stage it is vitally important for EYFS children to interact with books as it helps their development.
Whether a parent or a teacher reads a book to them so that they can heard the sounds of unfamiliar words read aloud or if they attempt to read a few words themselves it is all beneficial to their learning.
Learning OutcomesHow can I teach Key Stage 1 children about the environment?Learn all about the Earth and its weather, environment and climate with our PowerPoint for KS1 students. This resource is themed around CBeebies’ Go Jetters to provide your class with a comprehensive geography lesson. The PowerPoint introduces vocabulary around topics which affect our world, such as ‘pollution and ‘climate crisis,’ and ask students to discuss those subjects. So, check out the accompanying CBeebies Go Jetters videos right here and get learning about our world. What is climate?Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place over a period of time. It is the usual condition of factors such as temperature and humidity, wind and rainfall. Not only this but other meteorological elements over that period of time are taken into consideration too. But, in short, climate are a consideration of all these things over roughly thirty years. |
Introduction |
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Development |
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Plenary |
Video of young people from different ethnic backgrounds speaking about their Irishness and how it feels to be asked ‘Where are you from / really from?’
A great resource to affirm and normalise aspects of identity.
It’s great if class and school libraries include books reflecting the Learn Together. By doing so, many facets of identity are normalised. Some examples below:
Books with characters
Picturebooks can also be used at all levels to address challenging and / or controversial issues and foster critical-thinking.
Some books below which explore how picturebooks can be used.
You, Me and Diversity Author: Anne Dolan
Developing Children’s Critical Thinking through Picturebooks Author: Mary Roche
Learning Outcomes
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Introduction |
Adapt to class level Discussion
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Development |
Adapt to class level Discussion / Written activity
Think, Pair, Share
Share – general discussion
Think, pair, share
For senior classes Concern video on Hunger Heroes – (scroll down page) |
Plenary |
Adapt to class level Activities: Next time you’re in the supermarket, find two kinds of food that come from abroad and two kinds that are local. Discussion in class Hotseating: Pupil becomes pineapple / garlic / chilli imported from great distance and are interviewed by others in class who are apples or similar locally-produced fruit or veg (discussion should focus on food and not on migration / immigration etc.)
Pupil / Teacher bring in local, seasonal food.
Conscience Alley
Visual Arts
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Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource, Free resource, Printable Resource
Useful lessons and resources on water. See also – water-saving tips
Information on Green Schools. Some useful resources also on site.
Great website on wildflowers. Also check out Irish Wildflowers
Resources and lessons for all class levels. Best to dip in and out and decide on those that suit best. Some worksheets there as developed some time ago – reminder to think before you print!
Great lessons and resources on energy, sustainability etc. for all class levels.
Resources and lessons on water. Would recommend dipping in and out and choosing the resources that suit best.
Ready-to-go lessons on responsible pet ownership
Short presentation on ethical issues around intensive farming.
Could lead to walking debate / conscience alley around the issue.
Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource, Free resource, Printable Resource
Whole school approach to climate chang
Link to Book: https://www.otb.ie/shop/lotc/
Materials and resources on citizenship, media education, democracy and environmental issues for all class levels
Link to Book: https://www.trocaire.org/getinvolved/education/resources/just-children-story-sack-explore-global-justice
Story sack which can be used to explore global justice. The pack contains a puppet, rhymes, CD and photographs of life in Kenya.
Resources on environmental issues including climate change
Fantastic ready to go lessons on climate change
Youtube video on how bees are dying out.
Some great tips on saving water. Could have discussion on what to do / not to do and make list for home and classroom.
Wonderful video on how we can all make a difference. Wangari Maathai is an inspirational figure who set up the Green Belt Movement in Kenya and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
Some children’s books on Wangari Maathai.
Class looks at pictures. More information on crown shyness
Hotseat pupil – now a tree displaying crown shyness. This tree is interviewed by class. See also lesson on ‘Did you know that trees talk to each other?’
Discussion after video:
Hotseat someone who plays a tree. They are interviewed by the class who’ve just visited this woodland.
Song about making a difference
Short, animated video on what happens to three plastic bottles
Type of Resource: Downloadable Resource, Free resource, Printable Resource
Lessons and activities for all classes