This is a follow-up post to show a practical way that I have used RMPS in the News to boost engagement and relevance in my classroom. The recent discussions around assisted dying legislation in Scotland offered an ideal opportunity to link real-world issues with RMPS.
Why does this issue matter?
- Directly links to Morality & Belief (e.g. sanctity of life, personal autonomy, compassion)
- Offers clear religious and non-religious perspectives for compassion
- Builds evaluation skills through real arguments used in public debate
- Helps pupils understand how ethical issues appear in the news and wider society
- Encourages respectful discussion on a sensitive but important topic
How did I use it in the classroom?
Below are some structured ways the euthanasia debate supported learning:
- Context
- Short, factual overview of the proposed Scottish assisted dying bill
- Providing key vocab words and clarifying questions to ensure understanding
- Linking to course content
- Identity relevant moral principles, such as sanctity of life and personal autonomy
- Using the News
- Show real, balanced news articles on the topic (e.g. BBC)
- Pupils identify: moral issues, arguments for and against, values behind each stance
- Debate
- Pupils given a stance (for or against legalising euthanasia in Scotland)
- Respectfully debating for their side of the argument
- Reflective exit task
- “Which argument did you find strongest? Why?”
- “What questions do you still have?”
Impact on learning
Pupils demonstrated clear understanding of:
- How to analyse arguments for and against the debate, not just describe them
- How beliefs and values shape perspectives
- How RMPS applies directly to live public debates
Relevant Links:
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