Scenario 16
You are in a primary school, where you get on well with the Head. However, you notice that the class teacher is teaching about Noah's Ark in a totally inappropriate way. What do you do?
Clues
- Are you team-teaching or observing?
If you are team teaching, add another simple perspective after the teacher has finished (e.g. 'Yes, there's a lot of water in the Noah's Ark story, but it's about something else too - after all, God saved everyone in the Ark from dying…') and then try to steer the discussion in that direction;
If you are observing, you could talk with the teacher about it afterwards. Remember to find out what the teacher thinks they were doing first. - Remember, too, that many teachers do not have a specialist knowledge - or even more than a rudimentary knowledge - of RE, let alone theology! So try to expand their horizons. You could suggest some books (See 'Resources').
- If you are still concerned, mention what you have noticed and done to the Head (who may not know much about RE either!). Have the name of the local RE Centre or other resources, e.g. on the Internet, ready to point them in the right direction.
- There are several issues here that relate to planning RE e.g. what are the aims of the lesson, how do these relate to the current scheme of work that the teacher is following and to the requirements of the Agreed Syllabus/Diocesan Syllabus?
- Remember, the Noah story is important for Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Resources for Clergy and Teachers
- Religious Education, A scheme of Work for Key Stages 1 & 2
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2000, QCA/DfEE ISBN 1 858 38395 1
These model schemes of work show how schools can devise appropriate activities for RE.
- Mailbag from the Middle East
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Walker, D
1996, Eagle ISBN 0 863 47199 4An RE resource exploring twenty well known stories from the Old Testament, including Noah's Ark.
- The Old Testament: Bible Stories for Classroom and Assembly
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Priestly, J
1992, RMEP ISBN 0 900 27453 0A really useful collection of popular Bible stories each with an introduction 'About the Story' and development 'Ideas for Exploring Further'. There is also a New Testament edition.
Resources for pupils
- Video: BBC Testament - The Bible in Animation: Creation and the Flood
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A colourful medley of animation techniques breathes new life into the story. Support materials also available from the BBC.