Citizenship Bulletin - January 2008

Curriculum for Excellence

Social studies experiences and outcomes will be published on 21 January 2008. They will be available to download from the Curriculum for Excellence website.

Resources

New Christian Aid website

Have a look at the teaching resources on the recently updated Christian Aid website.

New DVD resource for Scottish pupils studying the Act of Union, 1707

A new multimedia DVD resource, 'A Union for a' that', looking at the Act of Union in 1707 and the history of Scottish government, was distributed by Learning and Teaching Scotland to all primary, secondary and special schools in Scotland in December 2007. This DVD, aimed at upper primary and S1-S3, is the culmination of a collaborative education project for Scottish schools, funded by the Scottish Government, marking the 300th anniversary of the Union of the Parliaments in 1707.

The other project partners are the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, the National Archives of Scotland, Historic Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Law Society of Scotland.

The DVD uses original documentary sources (available to schools for the first time) to explain the events leading up to the Union in 1707. It also contains information, film and audio clips, and activities to support the teaching of history, political awareness, citizenship, debating, and art and design in innovative ways.

For further information please contact: Education Officer, National Archives of Scotland, General Register House, 2 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 3YY, telephone: 0131 535 1340, email: education@nas.gov.uk.

Outside the Box

Outside the Box was a national conference held last year for those interested in global education in the outdoors, with a particular focus on sustainability. It was organised by the Cumbria Development Education Centre (DEC), which has been working with outdoor educators throughout Britain to share and develop good practice. The Outside the Box Report 2007 is a comprehensive guide to the day with detailed descriptions and evaluations of the workshops, many of which will be of interest to teachers in Scotland.

PDF File: Outside the Box Report 2007 (372KB)

Cumbria DEC is also involved in the Going Global in the Outdoors project. It is creating a database of contacts and case studies for those who wish to 'enable people to appreciate their actions in the world' (Chris Rowley - working party member).

The resource is internet-based and users can search for ideas, places to visit or someone to talk to about educating for a fairer, more sustainable world. As well as case studies and contact details, the resource will include signposts to other places with more information. The project is looking for contributions.

For more information, or if you would like to contribute to the resource, visit the Global Outdoors website or contact the team on 015394 302321 or email office@cdec.org.uk.

Competitions

Their Past Your Future Schools Competition 2008

Give your pupils a chance to win an all-expenses-paid educational visit to Japan in August 2008, and a learning experience they will never forget. Last date for entries is 15 February 2008. To find out more and access an entry form visit the Their Past Your Future website.

Euroquiz for primary schools

Inverkip Primary prizewinners (150x150)
Inverkip Primary School, 2007 winners

The final of the Euroquiz for Primary Schools (P6) will take place in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on Monday 12 May 2008. Twenty-four local authorities are taking part and two local heats have already taken place.

Heats must be organised by local authorities. If you have not been sent information about the quiz then please contact your local international co-ordinator, or contact Barbara MacLeod on 0131 557 9886/07866 701 710 or email seet@euromove.org.uk for further information.

Diversity in Europe: speaking competition for S3 pupils - winning team and teacher to visit European Commission and European Parliament in Brussels

Heats for this year's speaking competition take place in local authority areas between January and May 2008, with the national final being held in Edinburgh in June 2008. There is funding for 10 local authority areas, so apply early to secure a place. Teams of two pupils will need to prepare a talk lasting 10 minutes. The competition is open to novice speakers only, that is those who have not represented their school at an external debating or speaking competition. If you are interested, contact the international education co-ordinator or education for citizenship co-ordinator in your area in the first instance. Co-ordinators can contact Barbara MacLeod directly using the details above. For more information go to our Speaking Competition page.

CPD

InSite: 20th century conflict for 21st century learning

Imperial War Museum

Experience a unique professional development opportunity with Their Past Your Future and the Imperial War Museum. InSite is an all-expenses-paid immersive learning programme for Scottish teachers, museum educators and other education professionals with visits to Germany, the Czech Republic and Budapest. During these visits the programme makes links between the legacy of the Second World War and its effect on the events of the Cold War from 1945. As well as making site visits, participants will meet with eyewitnesses, museum directors, historians and educators, both in the UK and Europe, to gain a real insight into past events and their present interpretation.

For more information and details of how to apply visit the Their Past Your Future website.

Respectme training - new dates added for the new year

Do you have a role to play in the lives of children and young people and would like practical advice and guidance on dealing with bullying behaviour? Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service, respectme, runs free training events throughout Scotland to help adults identify bullying behaviours and the practical strategies that can be used to address bullying. Training is available to everyone, so whatever role you play in the lives of children and young people, come along to the next event.

For more information or to book a place on respectme’s training, contact Lesley Lamont on 0844 800 8600. Alternatively, log on to the respectme website for all scheduled training dates.

Keep checking the website for details and remember to fill out a booking form and return it to lesley.lamont@respectme.org.uk

Events

Scottish Parliament to host environmental event for young people

On Friday 1 February 2008, more than 100 pupils from the Highlands to the Borders will attend workshops led by representatives from various organisations to discuss environmental issues. Secondary schools from every Parliamentary region are taking part in presentations, debates and activities in the main chamber. The pupils will also have the opportunity to report their findings to members as well as learning about the Parliamentary processes for submitting petitions.

The event will be webcast live with an online forum which will open after the event to facilitate ongoing discussions. Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman MSP, who is chairing the event, said: 'This is an ideal opportunity for young people to explore important environmental issues and to learn about how they can help shape future policy.'

Scottish Government News Release

Opportunities

Participation network

Following the recent publication of 'Participation and Learning', LTS is planning a series of networking events. These will provide interested teachers with an opportunity to consider and discuss a wide range of issues related to young people's active participation in their learning. Participants will be encouraged to share practice, discuss the current policy context and engage with professionals from a range of educational backgrounds. If you would like to register an interest in attending such an event please contact a member of the Education for Citizenship team.

Children and young people

Children's Choice Award

The Children's Choice Award is jointly run by Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People and Children in Scotland. It celebrates the role played by many adults in the lives of children and young people. Help spread the word among children and young people and encourage them to make a nomination.

Nominations can be made online. The closing date is 14 February 2008. The two winning nominators - judged by children and young people - will each receive a digital camera and will be invited to a celebratory awards ceremony, along with all those shortlisted, on 13 March 2008.

Children's Choice Award website

Research

Participation Research online survey

Look out for this survey coming to all schools at the end of January. It is aimed at staff with a responsibility for leading on pupil participation in their school.

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