Feeling like trying to be more mindful? This Mindful March calendar just might give you a few ideas to focus on this month... http://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/649381/mindful_march.jpg

Happy World Book Day! Here's a free lesson about exploring gender bias in children's books. http://lettoysbetoys.org.uk/lesson-plans-gender-bias-in-childrens-books/

Happy Snow Day! True Tube is great for resources for ERB. They have recently added two new videos, parts of which would be suitable for use in primary classrooms. You can register on the site for free. A day in the life of a Hindu priest https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/day-life-hindu-priest A Day in the Life of a Sikh Granthi https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/day-life-sikh-granthi

Today is International Mother Language Day Teachers •Encourage children to use their mother languages to introduce themselves and talk about their families and culture •Affirm culture by having them read poetry, tell a story or sing a song in their mother tongues. Paintings and drawings with captions in mother languages can also be displayed. Students •See how many mother languages your fellow students speak. Make a survey of the languages by interviewing them and publish the results on internet. •Help organize cultural activities such as films, plays and music that celebrate different languages. https://en.unesco.org/international-days/international-mother-language-day

Check out this cutie little video (2mins) from RTÉ news2day “In Ireland, Chinese New Year began last Friday and students from Balinteer Educate Together told us how they've been celebrating the event. <blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In Ireland, Chinese New Year began last Friday and students from Balinteer Educate Together told us how they&#39;ve been celebrating the event. <a href="https://t.co/EZLBIfjMSP">pic.twitter.com/EZLBIfjMSP</a></p>&mdash; RTÉ news2day (@news2dayRTE) <a href="https://twitter.com/news2dayRTE/status/965633128436940801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Changes are afoot in ETB and community secondary schools.... "State-run secondary schools expect large numbers of pupils to opt out of religious instruction following a new directive that requires schools to ensure these students are allowed to study alternative subjects." “It is important that ETB and community post primary schools as multi-denominational schools, fully implement this circular as it presents an important opportunity to meet the expectations of parents and students in a changing society,” Mr Bruton said. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/state-schools-expect-many-pupils-to-opt-out-of-religion-classes-1.3396620 https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/state-run-secondary-school-pupils-may-opt-out-of-religion-classes-1.3391353

Today is Chinese New Year. The festival marks the end of winter and the start of spring. This year is the year of the dog. The whole festival lasts for fifteen days and there are lots of activities taking place in Dublin over the coming weeks. https://www.dublinchinesenewyear.com/festival-programme/ Traditions include: •Sweeping the house before the festival, in order to sweep away bad luck •Dressing in red, which symbolises fire, to scare off evil spirits •Setting off fireworks and firecrackers, again to scare off evil spirits •Gifts and money are given in red envelopes, from the older generation to children; and sweets and food are exchanged.

For the day that's in it.... "16 Love-Filled Illustrations from Children’s Literature" https://www.chroniclebooks.com/blog/2017/02/02/15-love-filled-illustrations-childrens-literature/?utm_source=Chronicle%20Books&utm_campaign=0ff1b86982-blogemail-020218-lovefilledillos&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d50e2407c0-0ff1b86982-201019625&mc_cid=0ff1b86982&mc_eid=66358c4c2a

Today, many Christians in Ireland and around the world are marking the beginning of Lent "Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities." http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/lent_1.shtml

Travellers to celebrate anniversary of ethnic status in Dublin Free events highlighting culture to be held at Royal Hospital Kilmainham on March 1st https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/travellers-to-celebrate-anniversary-of-ethnic-status-in-dublin-1.3385330

This 3mins animated video brings global statistics to life.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQwHNqMapiE

Today, many Buddhists in Ireland and around the world are celebrating 'Nirvana Day'. This festival marks the death of the Buddha. Buddhists mark his death because they believe that having attained Enlightenment, he achieved freedom from physical existence and its sufferings. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/parinirvana.shtml