Junior Certificate Religion Journal

As RE teachers one of the biggest hurdles we must conquer is the religion journal with exam classes. Below I have included a powerpoint and worksheets I used to help students and teachers when writing up their journal work. The power point and worksheets include a checklist for students to keep organised and up to date with what they have done and need to do, helpful hints and keywords that students will need to include in their write up in order to help them achieve the max points.

I hope they help!

RE Journal Student Checklist

RE Journal Work Helpful Hints

The Black Hole (Morality Video for RE Class)

Here is a video I found about greed and morality that can be used in your RE Classroom.

Human Rights Lesson Plan Part 1 (for CSPE and RE teachers)

Prepare and Introduction (10 Minutes)

Flashcard containing words like shelter, water, food, television, music etc will be placed on the whiteboard. Students will arrange them into two categories: esstential and material. This idea of essential items will be developed further with the use of images. Images will show education, love, friendship, playing, home. Each student will examine the images and write down what they think each image represents. Class will discuss answers and come to an understanding that what we need like food and water we also have a right to.

Power point (10 minutes)

Begin by setting the scene as imaginatively as possible. The following paragraph might be a useful introduction.

‘A colony is to be established on Planet X, an ‘Earth-like’ planet in the Gamma quadrant. You are lucky to have been chosen for this exciting new life! Your colony has the initial task of drawing up a code of rights for everyone on the planet. This will be done in several stages.’

The journey through space

Explain to the pupils that they are on their way to Planet X and are now in hyper-isolation. Ask each pupil to draw up a personal list of ten essentials that they feel they need for their new life. These might be practical things they will need to survive, but they could also be ideas about how life on the new planet is to be organised. They should rank their list in order, with ‘1’ as the most important.

Writing List (10 minutes)

Students will compose list of 10 essentials they need on their journey. When they have completed their list they will discuss it with the person beside them.

1. Why they chose these items?
2. How important they are to them?
3. Could they live without any of the items?
4. Are any of the things on the list material possessions?

In planetary orbit

Whilst pupils circle Planet X they meet up with a fellow traveller. Ask each pupil to share her list of essentials with a partner and agree on a shared list of ten rights. They should note down their reasons for deciding what to include and what to leave out and keep these lists for later reference.

Group work (10 minutes)

On landing

Now that pupils have landed on the new planet, each pair should join together with another and agree a common list of ten rights.

Stand by Me: A Song for all Teachers

This video was posted on my paper.li weekly magazine! To all teachers out there….enjoy!

Ted Talks Video for the RE classroom!

Beautiful video about a woman who was once voted the ugliest woman in the world on the internet now a motivational speaker.

This video can be used to teach your students about the impact cyber bullying can have on your life…negatives but also the positives. This lady turned her life around and never let her disabilities determine who she was or what she could achieve in life. Very moving and powerful watch for any classroom.

The Purpose of Life (Muslim Rap)

This is a video I found about The Purpose of Life/Muslim Spoken Word/ by The Daily Reminder. It can teach your students about how everybody no matter what we believe, what religion we follow etc. we all have the same questions. It also deals with the religion and science and teaches about certain aspects of Islam.

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Version

A very beautiful and moving video prepared by Dublin Diocese on the gift of Love at Christmas. Simple yet extremely effective. Could be used during Christmas Eve/Day Mass or in the classroom.

First World Problems

A good video for any classroom that puts our first world problems into perspective and can teach students to appreciate all they have in their own lives.

A Christmas Miracle

A lovely video about how christmas miracle really do come true! A good video to show any class this time of year

The Black Hole (Morality Video for RE Class)

Here is a video I found about greed and morality that can be used in your RE Classroom.

Advent: Waiting For Jesus Video for Post Primary Students

Slideshow presentation I found with music by Mumford and Sons that was designed for Post Primary students and for services during Advent. Great resources for the classroom. It was made using animoto.com.

More advent resources can be found at: http://education.dublindiocese.ie/2012/06/01/advent-resources-2/

Importance of making the most of your life (Using Jelly Beans)

Here is a video I found about the importance of making the most our of your free time throughout your life. It shows how much time we waste doing everyday activities but it will not make you upset or feel unfulfilled. Instead it might motivate you to have some fun, explore the beautiful and enjoy life.

To A Non-Muslim Woman

This video is based on a poem that represents a Muslims womans view on the Hijab and their right to wear it as part of their religion. Well worth the look when looking for resources when teaching about the Muslim tradition.