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.

Use our ‘Welcome to Malta’ resource and PowerPoint presentation to learn about the country, its history, culture and language. Read letters from Maltese children describing their daily life and the Maltese story ‘Do you believe in magic?’ to develop your pupils’ creative thinking, tolerance, respect and understanding.

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 Battle of the Somme was one of the bloodiest battles in history. It took place in Northern France around the River Somme from 1 July to 18 November 1916. Now, a century later, our education pack is designed to help teachers introduce aspects of the Battle of the Somme and the ways in which it is being remembered. The pack contains resources to help students develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the conflict. It covers topics including experiences of the Somme from around the Commonwealth, Pals Battalions, conscription, recruitment and remembrance today. The materials are designed to be flexible and adaptable. They can be used as starting points for individual lessons or activities, or form part of a larger cross- curricular project with a partner school overseas. This resource pack has been developed by the British Council in partnership with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, First World War Centenary Battlefield Tours Programme, UCL Institute of Education and Big Ideas Company.

British Council has joined forces with The FA, Premier League + Football League to commemorate the 1914 Christmas Truce. The pack includes photos, eye-witness accounts + letters from soldiers. Perspectives from British, French, Belgian, German + Indian witnesses are included with activities for English, language, drama, art, sport, history + moral education. Schools are invited to design a memorial with the winner chosen by The Duke of Cambridge + Arsenal/ England forward Theo Walcott to be built at the National Memorial Arboretum. http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/football-remembers

The public walk through the grounds of Kew Gardens and enjoy the flowers. Meanwhile, serious botanical research is conducted behind the scenes.

An upbeat overview of British Women’s contribution to the war effort in both military and civilian capacities, featuring a speech by Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother).

A rendition of the traditional English folksong ‘Widdicombe Fair&’, accompanied by animated drawings.

The history of Westminster Abbey and a tour of the monuments within it; accompanied by choral music and including footage of the coronation of King George VI in 1937.

A snapshot of life in the Outer Hebrides, ‘The Western Isles&’ shows the traditional manufacture of Harris Tweed and the dramatic homecoming of shipwrecked sailors.

Exploring the daily life of a large family in Yorkshire, ‘We of the West Riding&’ shows both their work at the textile mills and their varied leisure pursuits.

An overview of the industrial landscape of Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on the impact of and contribution to the Allied war effort.

Instead of learning sign-language, deaf children are taught to speak and lip-read so that they might interact with others as easily as possible.

The work of Trinity House, England’s General Lighthouse Authority, and the life of a lighthouse-keeper.

A miner with an injured spine is treated in a hospital before being sent to a rehabilitation centre to make a full recovery.

Young women embark on a three-year course to become fully trained nurses, gaining experience in a variety of situations within the hospital before graduating.

The first half of ‘Steps of the Ballet&’ demonstrates various ballet steps, and the process of staging a show. The second half is a short ballet showcasing these techniques.

From the laying of the keel through to the riveting of steel plates - teams of men work together to build and launch a steel ship.

An informative account of the history, manufacture, and scientific principles behind a steam turbine.