Who Am I?

Key Element: Personal Understanding
Year 8

This theme provides opportunities for pupils to explore their sense of identity and to examine some of the factors influencing their identity.  Pupils should develop a deeper sense of self and an awareness of and respect for the diversity that exists around them.  A variety of learning and teaching strategies are provided to support relationship building with peers, as pupils adapt to post-primary education, as well as to encourage the development of independent learning through individual activities.

What is Personal Understanding?

Personal Understanding is about developing a greater sense of self-awareness in pupils.  This Key Element encourages them to think critically about the factors, events and circumstances that have shaped their lives.  They should also reflect on what they know, what they think about and how they feel about things that are important to them.

The opportunities created by this Key Element throughout the curriculum should help pupils to:

  • respect themselves and understand their rights and responsibilities;
  • understand and manage their emotions;
  • learn how to learn and be committed to learning;
  • become aware of their creative potential;
  • become increasingly self-reliant.

Why is Personal Understanding important?

Through the Key Element of Personal Understanding, it is hoped that young people will develop a deeper sense of their own identities to take their place in the world around them and have the self-confidence and self-esteem to help them make the most of their talents and abilities.  Pupils should be actively involved in experiential learning, by sharing and reflecting on their own opinions, their influences, values and beliefs.

Subject strands should provide a range of opportunities for developing the Key Element of Personal Understanding in an attempt to make the pupils’ learning experience richer, relevant and more connected with other subject strands.  In doing so, it is hoped that young people will become equipped with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to make positive choices as they grow into adult life.