Teaching Controversial Issues
Area of focus
Conflict Resolution

O Key Element Citizenship
Pupils should have opportunities to:
Investigate the long and short term causes and consequences of the partition of Ireland and how it has influenced Northern Ireland today including key events and turning points.

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Year 10 mixed ability class in all girls secondary school
While studying events in Ireland 1900- 1921 some pupils raised the question of why there were no pictures or information about women. What were women doing in
1916 they asked?
While this was identified as an interesting enquiry for the class by themselves , there was a range of limited knowledge and understanding of the Northern Ireland
Conflict for many of the pupils and little understanding of the significance of the past on their lives today.
Teacher felt the class were open to discussion and willing to participate in both group and pared activities.

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Preliminary Meeting for half an hour after school to discuss the procedure where the best starting point would be for the class and what they might gain from the process.
The class was chosen on the basis that they had already questioned why women had been air brushed out of their history text books and it was felt that the Easter Rising provided a rich context to develop and explore issues around gender, equality and diversity as well as examining the significance of a historical event.

O The focus for the lessons was on commemoration as it highlighted the issue not only of the role of women rebel or otherwise but also how history can be selectively interpreted to justify actions of people today. This would provide fertile ground for the girls to discuss issues around the stereo typing of women in history and indeed today which still causes conflict in many societies across the world.

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It was decided to focus on three lessons and that the class would have done a bit of work on the background and key events beforehand.
Lesson 1 What do we remember and what do we forget about the Easter Rising ?
Lesson 2 What role did women really play on the
Easter Rising?
Lesson 3 Why is the Easter Rising significant?

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Contracting to establish procedures for working will be done beforehand
Effective questioning throughout and for the launch of lessons What do you See strategy from Facing History
Paired and small group work – how to work together?
Popcorn method of taking turns at reading.
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Carousel
Each One Teach One
Evaluation
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Through the debrief sessions
Observation by Tony McCauley (3 rd lesson)

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ILOS
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To participate in discussion and respect other students’ views
To gain a better understanding of the importance of appreciating different views
Lesson
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4 corners ice-breaker
Powerpoint on world flags with quiz
O Facilitator-led discussion on what the flags represent
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Flags in conflict situations
Conclude with thoughts on…
‘All flags should be banned in Northern Ireland.’
Do you agree?

Alan and
Tracey
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ILOS:
O To appreciate that historically Northern Ireland has been perceived as a bi-cultural society
O To explore the causes and consequences of conflict
Lesson
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4 corners with flags (Union, Irish, 6 counties Ulster and Province of
Ulster) and teacher-led discussion
History of Northern Ireland conflict up to peace process (youtube footage included)
O BBC footage of conflict in Short Strand following flag protest
O Back to statement at end of lesson 1
‘All flags should be banned in Northern Ireland.’
Do you agree?
How do they feel now?

O ILOS:
O To examine how conflict can be resolved on a global scale.
O To use drama to illustrate the current difficulties surrounding flags in
Northern Ireland.
O To provide ways of managing conflict at a community level.
O Activities:
O Examples of Global Conflict Resolution powerpoint/youtube
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Teacher-led discussion leading to Northern Ireland peace process
Scenario role play in groups.
Students in groups write down 3 things they think should happen now in Northern Ireland to help resolve the issues surrounding the flag protests.

O To the age old question, ‘Does your background effect your cultural identity?’…
O Twins (male and female) gave different responses to the flags 4 corners exercise!
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Male twin felt more of an affiliation with the Irish tricolour
Female twin stood between the Irish tricolour and the
Union Flag.

… really good, made you understand more about the meaning behind the flags…
The sweets encouraged us!
I liked the interactive way using 4 corners.
When you play games, it helps you learn more… in a practical way
Activities like that help you when answering evaluation questions in
GCSE modules
It was good having the two teachers … different viewpoints
Drama helps you be in the position of others.
I liked the use of videos

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Time
Money
Opportunity
Partner school?
O It’s worth it!