Support a green classroom and Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG) with 20 climate change challenges: Global warming, pollution, sustainability, environmental issues. This free interactive resource is designed for teachers of / and pupils aged between 7 to 19. Challenges are designed to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 13 (SDG 13), to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. By clicking on each of the challenge icons, pupils will access further instructions and free online supporting materials, such as PowerPoint templates and websites with pre-prepared content including video and interactive online tools to support learning. Teachers and/or students can decide to undertake as many challenges as they feel able to and we encourage sharing these activities across the world via #TheClimateConnection . The climate connection challenges can be undertaken without an international partner school, however the pedagogical benefits of collaborating on school projects across different countries are immense, and we highly recommend that using the resource has an international element, as is the global challenge that we are all facing. If you’d like to find an international partner school to work with on these activities, [here’s some information on how the British Council can help you find your match]https://connecting-classrooms.britishcouncil.org/partner-with-schools/before-find-partner Share your classroom actions with schools from across the world via: #TheClimateConnection

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.

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.

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.

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.

Keep your students up to date with the latest news from across the Commonwealth using the First News monthly newspaper. First News is one of the leading newspapers aimed at students from ages seven to fourteen, investigating and delving into stories affecting the wider world. Each month, the newspaper will explore themes related to the environment, politics and citizenship within the Commonwealth states. The newspaper serves as an excellent source of debate within your classroom to get children engaged in the diverse world around them.

These lesson plans have been produced in partnership with First News to introduce your class to the important work of the Commonwealth and its values. The lesson plans aim to encourage schools around the world to celebrate the Commonwealth and its inclusive values and principles that unite the 53 member states. You can explore the social similarities and differences between countries through their flags and stories from children. The lesson plans also introduces the Commonwealth Charter, helping to contextualise the work of the Commonwealth across the world to your students.

In 2014, the Commonwealth Class project produced this exciting pack to celebrate the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The pack contains cross-curricular activities, short films and discussion guides with learning outcomes that link to key skills, curriculum subjects and Commonwealth values.

We have developed a series of resources, in partnership with The Royal Society, to enhance science learning in schools. This second resource in the Commonwealth Science Class series is centred on how the prevent the spread of infectious diseases 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.

What is Queens of Syria? The Syrian crisis is now in its fifth year and the violence that has forced so many to leave their homes shows no sign of abating. Queens of Syria is the story of fifty women refugees now living in Jordan who came together to create and perform their own version of The Trojan Women, the timeless Greek tragedy about the plight of women in war. Queens of Syria teaching resource In 2016 the Queens of Syria cast and crew will travel to the UK for a series of performances. To mark this occasion, the British Council have developed an education pack to provide teachers with resources that will help them explore the human impact of the conflict in Syria and the realities of life as a refugee.

The Arab world is a fascinating, diverse geographical region with a rich culture and history. Arabic is spoken by more than 300 million people. The education pack is designed to help primary school teachers introduce aspects of both Arabic language and Arab culture to your pupils, including: well known Arabic fables, teaching students moral lessons. counting to 10 in Arabic perfecting your pronunciation of Arabic greetings exploring the intricate geometric patterns of Arabic mosaics The Arabic Language and Culture pack is an excellent way to introduce young learners to the Arab world while also challenging their preconceptions of Arab culture. This education pack has been created as part of the British Council’s Arabic Language and Culture Programme in partnership with Qatar Foundation.

This resource pack provides ideas for discussion, activities and a framework to help you use social entrepreneurship as an engaging project in your school. It is designed to encourage students to develop an awareness and understanding of how business can help to address social problems as well as gain practical experience in planning and setting up their own social enterprise. From projects on social responsibility, the impact social enterprises can make, and successful entrepreneurship, the pack allows students to increase their knowledge of social innovation whilst also develop core skills for learning, life, and work. It will also enable students to develop personal skills and attributes such as teamwork, confidence, and innovation.

From 16-27 March 2016, Five short films from BFI Flare, the British Film Institute’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Film Festival, was available to audiences around the world through the BFI player. The festival has now closed, however you can find out more about this year’s films here. Films and resources Although the main festival has closed, you can still use our resource and watch our film ‘London Loves You’ to stimulate discussion in the classroom. The film was made in a London secondary school and shows students discussing how they and their school community feel about LGBT issues. You can watch it here (https://vimeo.com/158625035) and it can also be found in the resource pack. Please note, in some countries you may prefer to use this material with older students.

Discover what 2016’s Year of the Monkey symbolises using our new pack filled with fun activities based on Chinese culture and traditions. Start preparing for Chinese New Year, explore the mythology behind the Chinese zodiac and uncover what the Year of the Monkey actually means in 2016. Take your students along on a journey with the Monkey King as he steals the pills of invisibility and then sets out to the west with his magical companions. Or, using the pack, teach them how to make traditional opera masks, draw monkeys using Chinese brush strokes, create decorative DIY kites and even learn some basic Chinese. There are plenty of creative and fun ideas for you and your students to learn about the rich history and culture of China. Note: To listen to embedded sound clips, please download the education pack and open with Adobe Reader.

The Ragdoll Foundation is dedicated to developing the power of imaginative responses in children through the arts.‘What Makes Me Happy’ is a series of short, fun films showing that even where lives are difficult children can still find happiness. The films were produced in-country by working with the children themselves. These are their own stories about what makes them happy and we want to share them with you and as many children as possible around the world. There is so much you can learn about your own happiness and the happiness of others.

The Ragdoll Foundation is dedicated to developing the power of imaginative responses in children through the arts.‘What Makes Me Happy’ is a series of short, fun films showing that even where lives are difficult children can still find happiness. The films were produced in-country by working with the children themselves. These are their own stories about what makes them happy and we want to share them with you and as many children as possible around the world. There is so much you can learn about your own happiness and the happiness of others.

The Ragdoll Foundation is dedicated to developing the power of imaginative responses in children through the arts.‘What Makes Me Happy’ is a series of short, fun films showing that even where lives are difficult children can still find happiness. The films were produced in-country by working with the children themselves. These are their own stories about what makes them happy and we want to share them with you and as many children as possible around the world. There is so much you can learn about your own happiness and the happiness of others.

Felicia lives in Isleworth in London. She’s studying hard for her art A-Level exam. Today she has taken time-out to visit her grandparents, Eileen and Henry. Felicia lived with her grandparents for the first eight years of her life as her mum was working full-time. She has always shared a special bond with her granddad. But in recent years things have become increasingly difficult. Although Henry looks very healthy, he has a disease called Alzheimer&'s. Alzheimer&’;s is a type of dementia or disease of the brain.

Kofi goes to school at Multikids Academy in Ghana, West Africa. It is unique because it’s inclusive: any child can come here, whether they have special needs or not. Kofi has severe cerebral palsy and needs a wheelchair. There are seven pupils in his class, all with special needs. Extra helpers make sure everyone gets enough attention. Although Kofi’s friends think he&‘s around 16 years old, nobody really knows. He was abandoned near a graveyard three years ago, and he&’;s not able to say where he came from.

Eleven-year-old Sean has a condition called cerebral palsy. It means his muscles don’t always work properly. This sometimes makes it harder for him to speak and to control his legs. Sean goes to school at Multikids Academy in Ghana. Any child can come here - whether they have special needs or not. There are six children in Sean’s class. About half of them have a special need. Keeping class sizes small means the teacher can give all the children the right amount of attention. Around 1 in every 300 children in Ghana has cerebral palsy, which is caused by complications at birth.