Streaming in schools
Streaming is no longer commonly used in schools, often viewed as divisive and unfair. However, some schools have adopted the approach and defend it as a means to stretch and challenge the top cohorts. Have a look at this video about how it works at Crown Woods, in Eltham, London.
Rape as an issue
Rape comes up a lot during discussions when teaching Crime and Deviance, particularly at A level, but also at GCSE. Whilst it can be a difficult topic for some, I welcome the discussions and am particularly keen to get students discussing current political views. The American Presidential elections are proving most fertile as grounds to engage students...
Views of rape as expressed by various candidates
Disadvantage and socialisation
BBC's Panorama showed a fantastic programme this evening, looking at life on a housing estate in Blackburn, 'Trouble on the Estate '. The programme is available online and provides fantastic opportunities for discussing issues relating to crime and deviance as well as socialisation and social inequality.
Trade union membership still concentrated in the public sector
Some useful stats here on trade union membership in the UK - albeit from the Telegraph's Deputy Political Editor (so the data comes alongside some political comment and opinion).
read more...»Families - Who’d be a Foster Parent?
A thought-provoking article here which addresses the challenges faced by those in the UK prepared to take on the daunting work of fostering.
According to the Telegraph, there are 87,000 British children in care today. Each one needs a stable, loving environment and children’s homes are a last resort. But with a new child coming into care every 22 minutes, Britain’s fostering system is struggling to cope.
read more...»the Queen’s speech
essential reading for budding young sociologists. Read here.
Population statistics
I’ve seen a number of interesting stories and programmes exploring ideas relating to population levels. The most recent was this morning on the BBC, asking if the number of people alive today (about 7 billion) outnumbers the number of people that have ever lived on earth. Most of these debates centre on the fear that at some point there will be too many people for the world to handle.
read more...»TED - videoed talks
TED is a fantastic resources of talks on a multitude of subjects. Go and have a browse - you are sure to find something interesting / fun / challenging / useful / eye-opening…
I like this selection on ‘what makes us happy?’
Health - animated lecture
Great animated video about research into the benefits of exercise. Watch it here.
Traditional family?
A survey by the Centre for the Modern Family suggests that few people feel part of a ‘traditional’ family. Read about it here.
Crime and Deviance - London riots
The government published last week their interim report on the violence during the summer. You can find it here.
The LSE and the Guardian newspaper also carried out research, interviewing many of those involved. The findings are summarised in an article here.
Family incomes
I’m having trouble uploading resources to the website currently, but there are plenty of stories in the news that provide a good basis for discussion. One on the BBC today questions how easy it is to live on £40,000pa (the average combined income for two adults in the UK). Read it here.
Growing populations
The growing population of our planet is of great interest to sociologists, and of concern to many. This neat app on the BBC lets you work out what ‘number’ you are - a great little starter for discussion.
Sociology Categories
