Marina Siva and Chico Mendes ( murdered in 1988) are/were activists against the deforestation of the trees in the Amazon forest - Amazonia - the largest remaining rainforest in the world. Amazonia is often called the lungs of the planet- the trees absorb much of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere -without them climate change would be much more severe. Through her friendship with Chico she saw how her development of region was damaging her beloved rainforest. After university she got a job working with Chico. They set up a rubber tapper’s union. They tried to create protected areas of forest for people made their living by extracting rubber, nuts and medicinal plants from the forest.it would allow development of the rainforest in a sustainable way. Marina and Chico would hold empates (stand offs) to prevent the building of ranches and to protect thousands of acres of rainforests. In 1988 she decided to stand as a local politician and was elected as a a city councilor in Rio Branco. In the same year Chico, aged 44, was murdered by the son of a cattle rancher, In 1991 first extractive reserve was created in the state of Acre. In 1994 elected as a senator to represent her state in the national government In 1996 won the Goldman award - the world’s top environment award. In 2003 she became Environment Minister for Brazil. Between 2004-7 she worked to crack down on illegal logging. She made powerful enemies but deforestation of the Amazon reduced to 60%. In 2007 she was chosen as a ’ Champion of the Earth’ by the United Nations Environment Programme. 2008 resigned post - felt her powers were gradually being taken away. g Since then she has been the most successful Green politician. Stood unsuccessfully to be president 3 times. ‘This courageous and principled woman has no intention of ever giving up.’ Lily Dyu & Amt Blackwell Sources Wikipedia Earth Heroes Lily Dyu & Amy Blackwell

Recently there has been a lot of news about Climate Change and the number of serious fires we are now experiencing . Over the years I have created several Phrase and Vocabulary sheets. Friend or Foe/ could be a good discussion/ starting point I have included a short story when, during a dispute, the green goddesses were trundled out in England - written by myself. There are also 2 poetry aids with a few ‘couplets’ included for starters. There is also a blank ‘comic’ strip and 2 best copy sheets. I have included 3 pages from a book called Emergency - the author describes how to put out a fire and describes the use of basic firefighting equipment. There is also a page about breathing apparatus. There is a general Rescue sheet. Finally I have included information about fire-engines/lorries/trucks and other vehicles. There are lots of FREE photocopiable sheets on firemen/fighters and fire engines available on Google. Sources Challenging the Physical Elements by Tony Batchelor Wikipedia What to do in an Emergency Reader’s Digest

I have put together several sheets about rivers and flooding. I have tried to put onto a phrase and vocabulary sheet some thoughts about the catastrophic event in Germany. I have included a picture of a river plus other vocabularies I have used before, Source Center for Disaster Philanthropy

It is very important that we try to look after our Environment. Over the years I have created a number of pieces of work connected with this subject. Environmental Issues is a good source to debate. I have included 2 debate sheets Environmental Issues and Save it , a simple debate vocabulary sheet, a special thesaurus using antonyms and synonyms linked to environmental issues,a more simple thesaurus a countryside code sheet, 2 differentiated Poetry Aids and a How many words can yo find in Environment?. I have also included 6 example answers. I hope these sheets and example answers prove useful.

I have recently being looking at Environment and Climate Issues and found these definitions which might prove useful which might prove useful to use with older students.

Greta Thunberg is the ‘face’ of Climate Change. I have included some basic information on Climate Change, Polar icecaps melting, Deforestation and trees. There are three vocabularies - Debate Words and Phrases, A Thesaurus of antonyms ands synonyms about Climate Change, plus a Poetry Aid. There are also 2 pieces of writing, one about trees the other about the greenhouse effect. Hopefully some of the work will prove useful. Sources Climate Change by Melanie Jarman

I have create a Poetry Aid for children trying to write about Wind. I have differentiated it at two levels. I have included a list of Wind poems I found on Wikipedia and downloaded 5 poems - 3 by Annette Wynne.1 by Christina Rossetti and another by Clara W, Raymond. I hope the lists prove useful.

The weather this winter in the U.K at times has been extreme. Is it because of climate change? I have put together work about, rain and snow. These two combined have resulted in a number of rivers flooding across the country. Very heavy rain plus thawing snow has meant we have had rivers serious flooding into property in different parts of the country. The canal system with their locks and weirs have also been overwhelmed - so there is information in diagram form showing how a lock works. Plus work on fog. While looking through my Geography notes I came across lots of weather symbols - these have been included. Added Rescue Vocabulary sheet.

Ludwig is often referred to being the Apostle of the Batak. In 1862 Ludwig went as a missionary to the island of Sumatra which is part of Indonesia. Efforts to win the natives had started with 3 missionaries back in 1820 but they were unsuccessful. 1834 there was a second attempt. The Bataks were cannibals and they eat the two missionaries. In 1834 Ludwig was born. In 1846, aged 12, he had his legs crushed by a horse cart. It was feared he would never walk, but with prayer, three years later he was able to walk again. In 1857 an interest in missionary work led him to enroll at the Rhenish Missionary Society seminary at Wuppertal- Barmen. In 1865 he baptised his first converts. In 1878 he translated the New Testament into Batak. 1878-1881 involved as interpreter in the First Toba War. His aim was to save lives and to avoid Dutch brutal punitive action against local villages. After the war the Batak people saw Ludwig as the person who could protect them against Dutch influence. ( For more detail read the 4 columns from Ambassadors for Christ.) For 56 years he worked tireless in Sumatra. He helped the Barak church come into existence. He led it with great skill until his dying day.He trained indigenous native Baraks to be elders, pastors and teachers to be the backbone of the church work. The church was integrated into the community - this made Christinaization much easier. Ludwig was probably one of the most successful missionaries to ever preach the gospel. His work was recognised and he received a knighthood - the Royal Dutch Order of Orange Nassau in 1893 and an officer of this order in 1911. Included map of Sumatra Sources Ambassadors for Christ - contribution from Werner Raupp wikipedia History of Missiology Britannica

Saint Aidan was an Irish monk from Saint Columbo’s monastery on the Isle of Iona. In 635 Aidan was made bishop and set off for Northumbria. He decided to make his new headquarters on Lindisfarne or Holy Island, a rocky island off the east coast of Northumberland. There he built a wooden church and monastery huts for his companions and himself and started a school for boys. The monks lived a life of prayer, study and austerity (no luxuries). From here they went on their missions. The monastery was in sight of Bamborough, the castle/capital of King Oswald. Initially he had a problem with the English language so the king interpreted for him. They soon became great friends. Saint Aidan was a simple and gentle man but quick to recognise goodness. He walked everywhere spreading the gospel and founded churches for his small Christian communities. (The king’s son Oswin , when he became king, offered him a horse but he gave it away) In his years of evangelism he was responsible for the the construction of churches, monasteries and schools throughout Northumbria. His friend King Oswald was killed after a battle with Penda, king of Mercia. Penda unable to take Bamborough created a fire which he hoped, wind assisted, would destroy the city. Saint Aidan prayed and the wind turned dramatically - Penda’s army retreated. A while later Oswy invaded Northumbria. Oswin, knowing he could not win, dismissed his army. One of his own earls betrayed him. Saint Aidan died of shock when he heard the news - August 31st 651. Saint Aidan is known as the Apostle of Northumbria. Joseph Lightfoot, Bishop of Durhamwent several steps further Augustine was the Apostle of Kent, but Aidan was the Apostle of the English*. I have included some information about the island of Lindisfarne. Sources used Wikipedia, * The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander Marygate House

The River is a place to be enjoyed but it is can also be dangerous. The main clip art picture shows the journey of a river from the source to the sea - labels can be added. There are two vocabularies and three Poetry Aids (two in bold type). There are two clip art pictures for best copy and a short crossword and word search - answers provided. All the illustrations have been drawn by David Woodroffe an established illustrator. Added general Rescue Vocabulary sheet

Some information which might encourage children to write a story about going on a canoe trip. 10 reasons for taking up canoeing Canoe Equipment Canoeing on the River 1 can used like a comic strip. Canoeing 2 and Kayaking a dangerous river are vocabulary sheets. Children of different abilities should be able to use these sheets.( Illustrations by David Woodroffe). Clip art of different canoes and kayaks.

A very good diagram to show how a lock works - drawn by David Woodroffe an established illustrator. Plus a vocabulary about rivers and canals.

Earthquakes are one of the most destructive natural disasters in the world. The first sheet emphasizes the link between Earthquakes, Tsunami and Volcanoes. The second sheet require the pupil to draw pictures to show slight destruction to ruins. The third sheet gives suggestions for putting the story together, the forth sheet is a vocabulary sheet. Home at last is my attempt at a story. There is also a poetry aid. Finally there is a simple crossword and word search - answers supplied. Added general sheet on Rescue.

I have put together two vocabularies, a poetry aid, two clip art pictures and a crossword/word search about deserts which I hope pupils will find useful

I have put together two vocabularies about Tsumani and Tidal Waves with a story example and a Poetry Aid. There is also a piece of clip art for final best copy. Added general Rescue sheet.

I decided to create a poetry aid to go with my Snow and Ice material. I have included a Thaw vocabulary and poetry aid, a vocabulary sheet about flooding plus a clip art picture for best copy. Thawing snow combined with heavy rain can create serious flooding,

I have put together Vocabularies, Poetry Aids and clip art pictures for 'best copy about Spring, Harvest and Autumn Clip Art work is the work of David Woodroffe, an established illustrator. For Winter and Summer work look under those headings.

I have together a selection of Vocabularies and Poetry Aids about Summer plus Clip Art A5 pictures for the ‘best’ copy. I have looked at the beach, caves, cliff hanging, the sea the weather - including rain summer sports and sports day, and looking forward to going on holiday. There are also two word searches. David Woodroffe, an established Illustrator, did all the art work for me.

A vocabulary and poetry aid about rain and storms. Illustrations by David Woodroffe. Rain can create floods. Rain plus snow can create serious flooding