Radical Read is a flexible learning resource containing a number of themes exploring the involvement of young people in peaceful protest, inspired by the commemoration of the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester, England in 1819. It includes powerful stories of how young people around the globe have used protest and collective action to promote democratic rights. The pack contains a wide variety of sources to support the delivery of activities. Some of these are original materials that were written by young people, while others are extracts from a range of different sources, from leaflets to young adult fiction and historians’ works. They were selected to help provoke questions, provide context, and stimulate critical thinking. Also included are links to curriculum subjects, the British Council Core Skills and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This session introduces students to the Peterloo Massacre. Students are encouraged to think about the importance of banners to protest movements.

Our reliance on fossil fuels is making drastic changes to our climate. Nevertheless, renewable energy is becoming increasingly cost effective, particularly in remote areas. One of the creative capacities of the Connecting Classrooms core skills course, creativity and imagination, is ‘envisaging what might be’. The topic of off-grid solar energy offers great potential for students to visualize and design alternative solutions to a range of challenges. These learning materials can be adapted to the context of each school and the needs of specific students. There are five lessons of 60 minutes each designed for pupils aged nine to 13 years.

Social enterprises trade in order to tackle social problems and improve communities, people’s life chances, or the environment. These learning resources have been designed as six lessons for pupils aged 7-14. Guided by their teachers, pupils explore examples of social enterprises started by children and adults around the world. By the end of this learning unit, pupils will have created their own social enterprise project. At the same time, they will develop a range of important core skills: citizenship, critical thinking and problem solving, creativity, imagination and innovation. An engaging way to learn about social enterprises is to get involved in running one and can improve attendance, behaviour, and enthusiasm among pupils.

The dramatic increase in population has led greater production of physical waste and carbon emissions to the point where the average person produces 4.2 tonnes of carbon per year. The scale of the problem may appear too large or unsolvable, but it is possible to focus on the progress that has already been made in countries around the world with regard to waste reduction and processing. Pupils can explore the multiple causes of climate change and learn about the approaches that are being taken to mitigate it. Waste management is the principle discussion point in this resource, as it is something that all communities all over the world can change. Pupils can design and implement mini-projects to help reduce personal carbon footprints by considering waste management solutions in local communities. The learning materials can be adapted to each school and the needs of specific students and are designed as ten lessons of 60 minutes each for pupils of nine to 16 years.

Empower pupils to use their voice, express their views, feelings and wishes and to have their opinions taken seriously through a creative process. This resource helps pupils understand what they can contribute to their community.

Going to school is no guarantee of learning, as it is estimated that 250 million children worldwide are unable to read, write or count well, even if they have been to school. The education Global Goal for Sustainable Development (SDG) focuses on access to education and inclusive quality education. This resource combines knowledge about this global issue with tasks that focus on pupils’ own schools. By understanding the situation in different parts of the world, pupils gain understanding about their own situation. Use the resource to help pupils make proposals and take action within and beyond their schools. The resource can be adapted for each school, the age of the class, and the needs of specific pupils. The ten lessons of 60 minutes are designed for 7-11 year olds and can be adapted for 11-14 year olds.

Citizenship can be seen as being about a feeling (identity), a status (rights) and a practice (taking action). This unit explores how gender roles and expectations influence identity and rights, and aims to inspire pupils to take action to question norms and dominant masculinities to bring about greater gender equality. Sustainable Development Goal 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The learning materials that have been created may be adapted to the context of each school and the needs of specific students. Some learning activities can be left out in order to enable deeper learning through other activities. Designed as six lessons of sixty minutes each (which include core and optional activities) for pupils aged 9-13 years, the resource can be used in English, citizenship, geography, history or other subjects.

It is recognised that there is a need for countries to commit to fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume goods and services. Pupils can explore the multiple issues relating to unsustainable and irresponsible consumption and production and learn about the solutions that exist to overcome it. They can design and implement a mini-project to support more responsible consumption and production in their communities. The learning materials can be adapted to the context of each school and the needs of specific students. Some learning activities can be left out in order to enable deeper learning through other activities. Ten lessons of 60 minutes each designed for pupils nine to 13 years.

This resource is designed to explore the United Nations’ Global Goals for Sustainable Development. In 1990, one in five people around the world was undernourished. Significant progress has been made, but hunger remains a huge challenge. Although this topic may seem difficult to teach, this resource enables you to focus on progress that has been made and solutions that are proven to work. It supports the development of pupils’ critical thinking by exploring the multiple causes of malnutrition and learning about how to overcome it. It also develops creative collaboration as pupils work in teams to design a mini-project to support better nutrition in their communities. The learning materials can be adapted to the context of each school and the needs of specific pupils. Designed as ten 60 minute lessons for pupils aged 9-13 years, the resource can be used in English, citizenship, geography or other subjects, and can be used with or without an overseas partner school.

Resources to help your school celebrate Chinese new year 2019.

The armistice to end the First World War was signed between France, Britain, and Germany on 11 November 1918 in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiegne, about 60 km north of Paris. It ended a global conflict in which millions of soldiers and civilians lost their lives. This terrible war touched the lives of men, women and children across the globe and continues to have lasting implications in the world today. You can use the pack to teach your pupils more about the Armistice, to reflect on peace and to plan a commemoration of the centenary of the First World War.

The Polish Language and Culture pack helps primary teachers introduce aspects of Polish language and culture to their pupils. It contains lesson and assembly plans, factual information and resources to help pupils develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the rich language, geography and culture of Poland. The materials are designed to be flexible and adaptable for use in a variety of settings. They can be used as starting points for individual lessons and assemblies or form part of larger cross-curricular joint projects involving collaboration over a number of subjects. Your pupils can learn how to greet a friend in Polish, get creative making paper cut-outs, and find out about many aspects of Polish culture. This education pack was produced by the British Council and the Polish Cultural Institute in London in partnership with Dwie Siostry Publishing and Templar Publishing.

According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, we enter the Year of the Dog on 16 February 2018. This education pack for primary schools contains information and activities to help teachers and pupils learn more about this important spring festival and explore Chinese language and culture. Your pupils can read a traditional story to find out how Er Lang and his dogs captured the Monkey King and learn to give commands in Chinese to our animated dog called Dumpling (Jiaozi, pronounced Jow-dzr). You can also read letters from Chinese children about their pets and get creative making clay dogs and paintings and cooking dumplings.

This resource will support you in developing students’ core skills through the study of solar electricity. It will also help you explore the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 7 which is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. As the world population rises and many millions continue to move to urban areas, there is a huge increase in the demand for cost effective and reliable modern energy. What are the problems with conventional sources of energy? How could solar energy help to address some of these problems? Using this resource, you will be able to support students to develop their knowledge of renewable energy through cross-curricular activities that span maths, geography, ICT and other subjects. Among the skills that can be acquired through this unit are core skills such as citizenship, critical thinking and problem solving. The resource’s learning materials can be used with or without an international partner school.

The focus of this unit is on how social entrepreneurs have built enterprises which make a profit, but which contribute to improving the lives of vulnerable communities around the world. It contains case studies of social enterprises, photographs of the people they work with and inspiring stories of how their lives have been changed. Your pupils will learn how social enterprises address the Sustainable Goals. How do you establish a social enterprise and what does it take to turn your idea into a reality? These materials can be used with a partner school or without one, and instructions are provided on how to best use the resources.

This Shakespeare Lives schools’ pack has been created by the British Council in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 2016. Specially designed to encourage learning across the curriculum, the resource is split into five key themes; Leadership and Power, Family and Relationships, Identity and Equality, Fate and Destiny, Justice and Rules. Throughout the pack you will find a variety of participative activities for pupils aged 7-14. These activities can be used as starting points in individual lessons, as elements of a cross-curricular project which could be carried out with a partner school overseas, or as standalone activities.

We have developed a series of resources, in partnership with The Royal Society, to enhance science learning in schools. This fourth resource in the Commonwealth Science Class series is centred on the topic of global food security and is packed with activity ideas to help your students investigate and explore the subject in more depth. Before downloading the resource, and to help you get started, we recommend you watch the accompanying video with your class: https://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/classroom-resources/list/global-food-security-how-can-we-feed-growing-population

According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, we enter the Year of the Rooster on January 28, 2017. This education pack for UK primary schools contains information and activities to help teachers and pupils learn more about this important spring festival and explore Chinese culture and language. Your pupils can learn about the story of The Rooster, the Dragon and the Centipede, how to play a traditional Chinese playground game, find out how to say what foods you like and dislike in Chinese and cook some delicious Chinese food. You can also get creative making rooster paper cuts and painting traditional plate designs, find out some facts and hear from children across China about their favourite meals. Age suitability: 4-7 years, 7-11 years Curriculum links: Art, PSHE/Citizenship, Design and Technology, Geography, History, Modern Languages.

We have developed a series of resources, in partnership with The Royal Society, to enhance science learning in schools. This third resource in the Commonwealth Science Class series focuses on the topic of rising sea levels and is filled with activity ideas to help your students investigate and explore the subject in more depth. Before downloading the resource, and to help you get started, we recommend you watch the accompanying video with your class.

193 world leaders have committed to The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to help make the world safer, fairer and more just for everyone. There 17 Sustainable Development Goals aim to accomplish three things by 2030: tackle extreme poverty fight inequality and injustice protect the planet. The resource challenges you and your students to discuss the 17 goals and think of practical solutions to contribute to a more sustainable world. Exploring the themes of the SDGs is an excellent way to get your students thinking about their wider community and environment, while also delving into the life obstacles faced by others.