Scoilnet Winners - Craggagh National School Co Mayo

Mayo Teacher Wins National Competition

MAYO ADVERTISER, DECEMBER 02, 2011.

A teacher from Kiltimagh has won a national competition, which recognised his lesson comparing ancient Egypt with ancient Mayo, as one of the most creative school classes in the country.

Danny Charlton, a teacher from the Craggagh National School, was awarded the honour after winning the Encyclopaedia Britannica and Scoilnet National Teacher Competition, which sought the most innovative lesson plans from primary and post-primary teachers throughout Ireland.

His lesson plan, which encourages students to contrast artefacts from ancient Egypt and Mayo, was selected as the winner of the primary level category by a panel of independent adjudicators for its innovative approach to teaching, ability to inspire students, and commitment to differentiated learning. It will also be made available for schools to share through the Scoilnet Education Portal.

http://www.scoilnet.ie/EB_winner_primary_Ancient_Egypt_Mayo.shtm

Encyclopaedia Britannica Teachers Competition
(from scoilnet.ie)

A lesson comparing Ancient Egypt with Ancient Mayo and a class which encourages students to become “literary detectives” have been recognised as two of the most creative school lessons in the country.

The lesson activities were awarded the honour after winning the Encyclopædia Britannica and Scoilnet Teacher Competition, which sought the most innovative lesson activities using Britannica content from primary and post-primary teachers throughout Ireland.

Danny Charlton, a teacher from the Craggagh National School in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo won the primary category with his lesson plan “Comparing Ancient Egypt with Ancient Mayo”, which encourages students to contrast artefacts from both civilisations, while Angela Cox from St Angela’s Ursuline Convent in Waterford won the post-primary category with her “Using a novel in 1st Year” lesson, which invites students to get to the heart of a novel through detective work.

Both lesson plans were selected by a panel of independent adjudicators for their innovative approach to teaching, ability to inspire students and a commitment to differentiated learning.  

Post-Primary

   Using a Novel in 1st Year – Angela Cox (St Angela's Ursuline Waterford)
   Language of Persuasion: Speech Writing – Pippa Brady (Marist College, Dundalk)
   Explore Berlin – Tommy Flynn (Marist College, Dundalk)

Primary

   Comparing Ancient Egypt with Ancient Mayo – Danny Charlton (Craggagh NS, Kiltimagh)
   The Maoris and Exploration – David Williams (St Mary's CBS Primary, Clonmel)
   Create a Tourist Brochure for Italy – Helen O’Connell(Togher NS, Cork)

Award winning Kiltimagh class technique to be used in schools around the country

WESTERN PEOPLE, DECEMBER 13TH, 2011
BY MARIAN HARRISON

An award winning lesson created by a teacher at Craggagh National School in Kiltimagh is likely to be used in schools across the country.

Principal Danny Charlton set up a collaborative website [wiki] where his 5th and 6th class students compared Ancient Egypt with Ancient Mayo. They [are to enter] the findings online and their efforts won them the Encyclopaedia Britannica and Scoilnet national teacher competition.

"We created an interactive timeline using artefacts from both countries. There was an archaeological survey carried out in Charlestown when a ringfort was found during works on the N5 bypass.

"The students are really enthusiastic about IT so the challenge for me as a teacher is to harness that enthusiasm for real learning, and not just for games," he added.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica and Scoilnet teacher competition sought the most innovative lesson activities using Britannica content from primary and post-primary teachers throughout Ireland.Judges said they selected Mr Charlton’s lesson because of its "innovative approach to teaching, ability to inspire students and commitment to differentiated learning" .