In today’s workshop we were learning about different types of diversity and as a result I have learned there are two main aspects to diversity:

• Biodiversity
• Cultural diversity

Biodiversity consists of species biodiversity and ecological biodiversity. Biodiversity is important because it effects the range of food sources, medical discoveries, preventing diseases, ecological services and resilience of species to adjust to catastrophes. There are many threats to biodiversity which include, climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, over exploration and the spread of diseases. It can be developed at primary level which would include food chains and looking at a small eco system within the school grounds. This could be used right throughout the whole school if the program was differentiated by the teacher according to the class and the children’s needs within it.

There is also cultural diversity which involves a variety of cultural customs, ways of life, religious beliefs and knowledge to mention a few.

Within workshop one, The Royal Society of the Protection of Birds (RSPB) came to chat to us and let us know what their job involves. We then went outside for several activities. We warmed up with a game where we had to be birds and act out what they do on a daily basis. Then we had to build a tree from branches and we collected leaves too. We also had booklets and we had to identify different mini beasts and leaves around the grounds. Finally we went to the water and looked at the bugs that were in it. When I was in a primary four class we went out looking for mini beasts, using magnifying glasses to see where they lived and the kind of things that attracted them to their home. This was a great activity for engaging the class and the children seemed to really enjoy it.

The second workshop involved looking at cultural and social diversity. There was a range of different pictures to where we had to identify the similarities and differences within them. Then we looked at how diverse Scotland is and we had to estimate the percentage of ethnic minority, born out with Scotland, same sex marriages, registered disabled, religions and different languages spoken. I feel this is a great activity that could be used in an upper classroom setting.

Also we learned the importance of global diversity and looking at how people’s rights are different across the globe, for example, in China there is no freedom of speech and in Ghana disabled people are chained, starved and tortured. This may be a way in a upper class to discuss human rights and how they differ across the world.

Finally, the GTC and its professional standards include social justice and integrity and therefore as a teacher I must insure that these standards are shown and developed throughout my teaching career. Furthermore within CfE there are many social and health and wellbeing outcomes that refer to diversity. In my school on placement they are going for ‘Rights respecting schools” which is all to do with children’s rights and equality.