Useful Resources during school closures

Please see updated information below which may be useful.
PADLET
We are currently working on a Primary and Post Primary Padlet that you may find useful. We will be adding to these over the coming weeks.
View PRIMARY Padlet HERE.
View POST PRIMARY Padlet HERE.
Nurture Courses (bookings via Blackrock Education Centre)
Nurture Principles into Practice: A whole school approach
Thursday 21st May, 2-3pm Dedicated Irish Webinar
Participants will receive an audit tool and script from the webinar
Bookings: https://blackrockec.ie/cpd-
Top Tips for Assignment Completion
Tuesday 9th June 2-3pm Dedicated Irish Webinar
Bookings: https://blackrockec.ie/cpd-
Nurture Support Groups for teachers and SNAs working in nurture settings, Tuesday 26th May
These Nurture Support Groups will be hosted by our Irish Nurture Team. There will be one for Primary Schools and one for Post Primary Schools. Please follow the links below to book:
Primary Tuesday 26th May 2-3pm https://blackrockec.ie/cpd-
Post Primary Tuesday 26th May 4-5pm https://blackrockec.ie/cpd-
The ‘Jigsaw Connect for Teachers’ Live Webinars are being delivered on Thursdays (4pm – 5pm each Thursday), in collaboration with ESCI. The live webinars, available to teachers who have signed up to the online eLearning Platform, are being hosted by Jigsaw Clinicians and include ESCI tutors on the panels for each. The dates & themes are as follows:
- Thursday, 23rd April, 4pm – 5pm | Teacher-self-care for Post-Primary Teachers WATCH NOW
- Thursday 30th April, 4pm – 5pm | Teacher Self-care for Primary Teachers WATCH NOW
- Thursday 7th May, 4pm – 5pm | School connectedness – How are teachers currently maintaining school connections with students while being disconnected (during school closures) WATCH NOW
- Thursday 14th May, 4pm – 5pm | Managing Student stress and anxiety - How can teachers support their students to cope with the stress and anxiety of ‘unknowns’ re exams in the midst of Covid-19. THIS LIVE WEBINAR IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO VIEW HERE AFTERWARDS
Heritage Council tutorials for primary school children
- The Schools' Folklore Collection: John O'Neill
- Learn to sing 'Na Blathanna': Aileen Lambert
- Noticing nature in your local park: Dr Paddy Madden
- Wildlife Art for Beginners: Gordon D'Arcy
- How to Podcast: Peter Baxter
- Online Time Machine: John D. Ruddy
- Music of the Plants Part 1 (Violet): Marina Levitina
- Music of the Plants Part 2 (Beech Tree): Marina Levitina
- Backyard BioBitz: Fionn Crombie Angus
- Wildlife Safari: Albert Nolan
Videos to accompany the Raptor workbooks for County Clare primary school children
- Raptor Birdwatch Ireland YouTube videos - view here
- Raptor Workbook, 1st, 2nd & 3rd classess - download here
- Raptor Workbook, 4th, 5th & 6th classes - download here
- Special Webinar: Zoom for Education - streamed live on 1st May 2020 - view here
- This is a template Acceptable Use Policy for Primary Schools that incorporates distance learning: download HERE
-
Outstanding Youtube tutorial videos on ZOOM, TEAMS, Google Classroom: view hereieducate.ie - This is the help centre for all of the schools in Ireland who have recently participated in the Webinar Series “Zoom for Education” hosted by IMS and the Education Centres of Ireland: view here
Zoom for SNAs (UrAbility)
- Zoom for SNAs Webinar - recorded by UrAbility on the 30th of April
- Zoom Start Guide for SNAs (in PDF, just click to download)
- Remote technology options overview - recorded by UrAbility on the 18th of April
- Longer interview with Tara discussing redeployment - recorded by UrAbility on the 18th of April
- Judie Russell of the Vidacademy has a great 10 day video challenge, why not give it a go? Also she has a good video here with 10 steps to film with your phone.
- ieducate.ie - This has a good selection of Zoom related resources from Shane's company - Integrated Media Solutions
- start creating or improving your video content
- learn video tips
- practice techniques
- increase your confidence and
-
be accountable to a group of like-minded people who all have the same goals.
The 10 Day Video Challenge | The Vidacademy
A complete list of what to do — and not do — for everyone teaching kids at home during the coronavirus crisis
Martin Moloney, Principal of Clarecastle NS has kindly shared the Covid19 School Closure Parent Information Pack - copy for your school HERE. Feel free to adapt this for your own school if you think it might be useful.
- Using Screencastify - .
This document has been designed for Irish primary school teachers and principals to share any ideas that might be useful over the coming weeks for online learning. It is designed to be a live document which can be updated by anyone. It is divided into a number of sections to make it easy for others to find what they are looking for. Make a copy for your school here - https://bit.ly/3bes1xo
- Supports to schools and teachers engaged in distance learning
- NEPS Advice & Resources for keeping Children and Young People well during Covid-19
- Continuity of guidance counselling provision
- Covid-19 Information poster
- "Cover your cough and sneeze" posters
- Coronavirus hygiene poster
- Link to updated guidance from HSE
- Chief Medical Officer advice to parents and schools
- Department circulars and statements
- Travel Advice
Midday Moment
The Education Centre Network ESCI (@ESCItweets) with Breathing Space Ireland (@BSpaceIreland) would like to continue to support teachers during this difficult time. Follow our social media to join us each weekday for our ‘Midday Moment’.
IrishHomework.ie are offering FREE For DISTANCE LEARNING During COVID-19. IrishHomework.ie is Primary Language Curriculum (2019) Stage 3 and 4 ready for Irish in English medium schools. "The main purpose of the Irish curriculum is the development of the natural use of the spoken language in communication." Inspectorate Evaluation Studies - Irish in the Primary School. (Department of Education and Skills)

eTwinning Support for Irish teachers (one primary, one post-primary) called 'In This Together'.
The projects have been populated with some eTwinning information and some useful digital resources and discussion threads. They are designed in such a way that they can be used as a repository of information or as a collaborative space for teachers to network and share ideas. At a minimum, these projects would be a good way to get to know the eTwinning Twinspace. These Projects will be constantly updated according to the needs and requests of the project members. If you would like to join the project, please email Caoimhe on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and school level.
View Primary In This Together Project HERE
View Post Primary In This Together Project HERE
Middletown Centre Webinar Series March - April 2020
In order to provide support during the suspension of our face to face delivery Middletown is offering a series of twice weekly live webinars (with a week's break for Easter). These sessions will feature members of our own multi-disciplinary team and international speakers on a series of themes. Please click on the link beside each name to read more about the session and register to attend a live session. Please note the live sessions will hold a maximum of 100 attendees but they will be posted on social media and on the Centre’s website so no-one will miss out on these valuable learning opportunities. Visit https://www.middletownautism.com/ for more information.

Camara Education Ireland will be hosting a weekly challenge for the next couple of weeks for students in both primary or secondary school. This week it's based on Computer Science, specifically Coding, and you can find out all the information by clicking HERE.




Spunout
Spunout is a website which is part HSE supported – it has lots of articles on managing anxiety re COVID 19 etc. www.spunout.ie
Mindfulness Resources
These organisations are offering free Mindulness courses online:
www.oxfordmindfulness.org
www.mindfulness.ie
www.mtai.ie

The Choose Safety Programme is a free programme available to post-primary schools and colleges of Further Education. It introduces senior cycle students/students in further education to the principles of workplace safety and health. The school pack consists of a student workbook, and a teacher text. Irish language versions are also available of both the student workbook and teacher text. See more information HERE.

The Department of Education and Skills’ NEPS psychologists have developed advice and some resources for young people to manage and stay well when schools are closed.
NEPS psychologists have developed guidance for parents supporting children to create new routines at home. Having a Plan for the Day is key for children/young people to manage and stay well at this time.
NEPS psychologists have developed advice for parents and schools on talking to children and young people about Covid-19 here.

Online Creative Writing Pack for Primary Schools
Deirbhile Graham, TAP artist (www.writewordseditorial.ie) has put together the attached creative writing pack for parents and teachers of primary school children. They are provided in Word and PDF formats attached.

Google have created a temporary hub of information and tools to help teachers during the coronavirus crisis. Visit g.co/teachfromhome for the most up to date information. Join the #teachfromhome discussion on Twitter.
Technology in Education Newsletter - April 2020/Nuachtlitir maidir le Teicneolaíocht san Oideachas - Aibreán 2020
The PDST Technology in Education Newsletter aims to provide ICT news and information to Principals, ICT coordinating teachers, teachers and all those involved in education. CLICK HERE to view April's Newsletter.
The PDST Technology in Education Team have collated a PDST Distance Learning Page at https://www.pdst.ie/DistanceLearning.
PDST will be providing updates on Twitter @PDST_TechinEd, or you can contact them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Creative Clusters Applications Update
Owing to the current Covid-19 crisis, the deadline for Creative Clusters applications has now been extended to the 15th May 2020. Please find all information HERE.
STEAMING Project
See Report attached from Mary Immaculate College on STEM Policy and Implementation in Ireland which has been collated as part of the STEAMING Erasmus+ Project. The STEAMING Erasmus+ Project is a three year project about engaging students in the creation of their own STEAM learning. The project is a Research and Development programme in STEAM education and training. STEAM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.
Parteen NS
Parteen NS have shared a fabulous Padlet with over 400 educational websites and activities organised from Juniors Infants to 6th Class. View this Padlet HERE.
Clare Library
The Clare Library service is helping people to join their service online, even though libraries are closed due to the Coronavirus. Libraries throughout Ireland have relaxed the joining process, meaning people can join the library on www.clarelibrary.ie and then not have to finalise their applications in person as is usually the case. Once a person signs up, they will be able to borrow free eBooks and eAudiobooks straight away.
DES Resources
The Department of Education and Skills has a dedicated website page in place providing the most up to date and relevant information for educational settings. Amongst other resources, there you can find guidance on 'talking to children and young people about Covid-19', 'supports to schools and teachers engaged in distance learning' and a lot more... DES Covid-19 supports found HERE.
Clare Education Centre Twitter
Follow us on Twitter @ClareEdCentre where we will be sharing all useful resources, links, information etc. regularly.
Chess for school children - Moves for Life
Moves for Life have made some chess projects for school kids. Includes an off-line craft project, where to go to play against other kids and a puzzle competition. Check out their website (www.movesforlife.ie) and document attached.
Scoilnet
Now might be the time to have a look at the collection of resources, ideas and suggestions on Scoilnet - www.scoilnet.ie.
Scoilnet Post Primary Twitter Feed - @ScoilnetPPrim
Scoilnet Primary Twitter Feed - @ScoilnetPrimary
New to online learning?
If you are new to online learning, here is practical advice for engaging students in online learning in addition to tools to help you teach in and out of the classroom: CLICK HERE to see Danny's E-Learning Survival Guide.
#edshareie
If you are on Twitter follow #edshareie for great advice, suggestions and support for all school sectors.
COVID-19 Distance Teaching Pack
Simon Lewis has created a collaborative Google Doc to collate various resources being offered by teachers, various agencies and companies: CLICK HERE.
Simon has also shared a Home Learning document of 20 things that can be done at home for learning. You can access it HERE.
FREE Amazing Educational Resources
A list of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to school closures can be found HERE.
Join the "Amazing Educational Resources" Facebook group for more Resources HERE.
Write-a-Book
Don’t forget our Clare Education Centre Write-a-Book Project to encourage budding author and illustrator skills. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Google Distance Learning
With school closures, teachers can keep their lessons going remotely and keep students engaged while they’re at home. CLICK HERE to view this blog on Google for Education. This article discusses the use of Google Hangouts, where an entire class can join a lesson simultaneously, having discussions in Google Classroom, using comments in Google Docs, posting quizzes in Google Forms and assign project based learning in Google Slide or Sites.
Microsoft Teams
Get started with Microsoft Teams for remote learning HERE. This is a collection of articles and online courses in using Microsoft Class Teams.
Coding
Coding Ireland have made all of their coding projects free to use. They have lessons and projects from 1st to 6th classes with step-by-step instructions. Check the website www.codingireland.ie.
Scratch
There are over 200 Scratch projects for free HERE.
Code Club
Code Club is a global network of free coding clubs
for 9- to 13-year-olds. Visit website HERE.
Science and Technology
'Science Journal' by Google is pretty good fun too for science based experiments. It uses the sensors in your phone (accelerometer, direction movement, barometer, measuring light, etc ) and the data can be exported to Excel. Just look for 'science journal app experiments' on YouTube. Sensors can be linked to a sound so that you can use it as an instrument.... Link to 'OK Go Sandbox - Sensor Sounds Pt. 1 - Introduction' HERE.
Kind regards,
Clare Education Centre Staff
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