Resources for Home Schooling
These resources are aimed at children / young people learning at home. They are aimed at parents and carers but can also be used by teachers and in some cases for self-directed study. Let me know if you find them useful and do suggest any further resources for an updated version.
The resource comprises 10 sections: Home-schooling, Talking about the coronavirus, Wellbeing, Talking about big questions, Global issues, Gender Equality, Diversity/Decolonising the Curriculum, Sustainability, Inspiring Young People & A Better World Post Covid 19?
Click here for the Homeschool Resources links pdf document (updated in January 2021): Homeschooling links Jan 21
Contents:
Home-schooling – pages 2 – 3
Talking about the coronavirus – pages 3 – 4
Wellbeing – page 4 – 5
Talking about big questions – page 5
Global issues – pages 6 – 7
Gender Equality – pages 7 – 9
Diversity / Decolonising the Curriculum – pages 9 – 11
Sustainability – pages 11 – 12
Inspiring Young People – pages 12 – 13
A Better World Post Covid 19? – page 13
Many of the links are related to global learning / development education / education for sustainable development / diversity which is our professional field (see more at https://www.decsy.org.uk/about-decsy/what-is-development-education/ + https://globaldimension.org.uk/chooseglp/glp-england-update/what-is-global-learning/ – this is a useful site for range of resources).
You can register with DECSY as an individual member for free and access online resources, including interesting stimuli for discussion that we use with the methodology Philosophy for Children – more on our website https://www.decsy.org.uk/become-a-member/
Also some useful resources in DECSY past project sites, Gender Respect (see Teaching Ideas) https://genderrespect2013.wordpress.com/ , www.sealgd.org.uk & www.carbonpartners.org.uk – not all links may be working but if you have any queries ask me.
DECSY also runs online training courses, currently freehttps://www.decsy.org.uk/courses/
For those of you not in the South Yorkshire area, we are part of a national Consortium of Development Education Centres (CoDEC) https://www.codec.org.uk/ . You can find out your nearest DEC at https://www.codec.org.uk/about-the-network/
Home-schooling:
UK government – put in your postcode to get a link to your local council’s home schooling support https://www.gov.uk/home-schooling-information-council
DfE (Department for Education) England – Online educational resources for schools and parents to help children to learn at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education
Home education UK – “The UK’s premier source of free support since 2000. With over 200 pages we provide support, for home educating parents & Children.” Can put you in touch with local groups. https://www.home-education.org.uk/
Education otherwise – charitable “membership-based organisation that provides support and information for families whose children are being educated outside school, and for those who wish to uphold the freedom of families to take direct responsibility for the education of their children.” https://www.educationotherwise.org/
PSHE Association – national body for Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, leading the effort to ensure that every pupil receives high-quality provision. Has a Coronavirus Hub with free, downloadable resources https://www.pshe-association.org.uk/content/coronavirus-hub?amp%3Bqid=4243562
Independent Thinking – covers areas from teaching and learning, motivation and creativity to leadership, social justice, neuroscience, the environment and well-being “our core principle has remained the same – if you take people’s brains for a walk, you change their lives. And that changes everything.” “To help with the madness we are going through currently, we have collated a list of useful links, websites, free resources, money-saving offers and more to see us all through it.” https://www.independentthinking.co.uk/blog/posts/2020/april/you-are-not-alone/
Chartered College of Teaching (CCT) – Links to online and paper-based resources for home learning in different subjects and phases from teachers, subject associations, educational and commercial organisations. The CCT is the recognised professional body for the teaching profession in the United Kingdom. https://my.chartered.college/2020/04/selected-links-free-online-and-paper-based-home-learning-tools-and-resources/
NEU (National Education Union) To help families get the information they need, the NEU has created a series of posters designed to be personalised for any school/college and emailed out to parents, carers, staff and students. There are three designs, one aimed at younger children, one aimed at young people and one aimed at parents and carers. https://neu.org.uk/coronavirus-support-services-and-information-families
The Linking Network – Resources for children and families to use at home to think about community, identity, diversity, equality, well-being and connection. https://thelinkingnetwork.org.uk/home-learning/
Votes for Schools: Coronavirus – “Do communities become stronger in a crisis?” Primary lesson for home or school https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/coronavirus-do-communities-become-stronger-in-a-crisis-primary-lesson-for-home-or-school-12278615
Association for Citizenship Teaching – 80 resources below are written and shared by teachers as suggestions for homebased and distance learning for Key Stage 2, 3 & 4. Cover topics such as Making laws, The role of charities in communities, Active Citizenship, The Role of the Media, How Parliament Works, Quizzes https://www.teachingcitizenship.org.uk/resource/citizenship-teaching-resources-distance-learning
Edison Learning – Home Learning Portal, “aimed to support you with home learning activities. We’ve put together some resources used in many schools we have worked with, which we have specially adapted for home use.” Includes Things to do this week – Wellbeing – Connected Curriculum – Fast Learning (with Parent booklets) https://edison-learning.frogos.net/app/os Username: homelearning Password: l3arn1ng
Education Endowment Fund Support resources for schools – Tools for schools to help support home learning and maximise the impact of work set. initial planning and reflection tools https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/covid-19-resources/support-resources-for-schools/
Ken Robinson – Learning from Home – British author, speaker and international advisor on education launched a podcast special to “help bring you and your family resources and insight from around the world, and to give you the opportunity to share what is happening with your own family so that others can benefit from your experiences Please watch the video (4 mins 50 secs) to learn more, and then I invite you to be in touch with your stories, questions, concerns or insights by emailing LFH@nevergrey.org “ Aims to share ideas globally http://sirkenrobinson.com/new-podcast-video-series-learning-from-home/ Also worth watching some of his inspirational talks at http://sirkenrobinson.com/watch/
Talking about the coronavirus
Coronavirus: A Book for Children – free digital book – written by staff within the publishing company with expert input from Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine who acted as a consultant, and advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist. https://nosycrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus-A-Book-for-Children.pdf
Also available as a free audio book https://nosycrow.com/blog/actor-hugh-bonneville-to-voice-audio-for-nosy-crows-coronavirus-book-for-children/
From My Window: Children at home during COVID-19 – This United Nations book for young readers looks at the lives of housebound children during the coronavirus epidemic. Inspired by true events and people from around the world, From My Window shows children that we all have the same fears and that we can overcome them by being creative, and empathetic, and by staying positive and healthy https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/kids-and-families-broaden-global-perspectives-during-covid-19
Healthy Minds, Sheffield NHS Trust – Coronavirus resources for children and families – experts in children’s clinical psychology, speech and language therapy, and emotional wellbeing https://www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/patients-and-parents/coronavirus-resources-for-children-and-families/ (See especially the booklet Healthy Minds advice for parents and carers )
UNICEF Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) information centre: As the coronavirus has spread, so has misinformation – fuelling discrimination and stigma. UNICEF is working with health experts to promote facts over fear, bringing trustworthy guidance to parents, caregivers and educators. https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/covid-19
Young Minds – suggestions on activities you can do with your children during isolation and tips on how to use this time to start a conversation with them about their mental health https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/
Mental Health Foundation – Talking to your children about the coronavirus pandemic. Tips on how to have open and honest conversations at home https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/talking-to-children
Child Mind Institute – Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Crisis. Advice from the experts and resources, including a Parent Guide https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
Learning from pandemics – Home Learning resource from British Council Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning helping learners make sense of Covid-19 in the context of UN Global Goal 3 (Health & Well-being) https://connecting-classrooms.britishcouncil.org/resources/home-learning/learning-from-pandemic
Wellbeing
Every Mind Matters (NHS/Public Health England) Looking after your mental health – “Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing” Lots on Coronavirus and wellbeing https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
Trauma Informed Schools UK – “Our vision is to provide appropriate training for schools, communities and organisations so that they become trauma informed and mentally healthy places for all. This means we aim to help children and teenagers BEFORE they get mental health problems – to catch them as they are falling not after they have fallen.” Useful resources include ‘Supporting parents talking to their children about Covid-19’ and ‘Preparing Your Child for the First Day Back in School’ https://www.traumainformedschools.co.uk/resources
Action for Happiness – How to keep mentally healthy during uncertain times. Nine practical tips https://www.actionforhappiness.org/news/how-to-keep-mentally-healthy-during-uncertain-times
5 steps to mental wellbeing – Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/
FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING AT A TIME OF SOCIAL DISTANCING – Looking after yourself and others during the coronavirus crisis. https://neweconomics.org/2020/03/five-ways-to-wellbeing-at-a-time-of-social-distancing)
Mind up – A more calm and connected home for children and families. Many of MindUP’s activities and Core Practice – the Brain Break – can be implemented at home together with parents and caregivers. https://mindup.org/mindup-for-parents/ Related article on Goldie Hawn and her journey / philosophy behind Mind up https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/apr/13/goldie-hawn-i-was-born-with-a-high-set-point-for-happiness)
LOVE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS – paper containing links to about 40 pieces of material ─ blogposts, columns, articles, songs, poems, images. Put together by Insted which specialises in Equality and Diversity in Education http://www.insted.co.uk/http://www.insted.co.uk/pdfs/Covid%20reflections.pdf
InCultureParent – 5 active games from different countries (Brazil, India, China, UK, Philippines with videos explaining them) http://www.incultureparent.com/2012/09/five-fun-games-from-around-the-world/
Talking about big questions
Dialogue Works – sending out a weekly pack of ideas and activities for Thoughtful Conversations for Families. https://dialogueworks.co.uk/
Center for Philosophy for Children “Children’s Big Questions During the COVID-19 Crisis” – This resource for parents contains ideas for questions, books, and videos to facilitate conversations with children about the difficult issues they are contemplating at this time https://www.philosophyforchildren.org/resources/parents-and-grandparents/
P4C – resources and guides to help people philosophise with children. “Now that people are isolated at home across the world, we all need to think of ways to support each other. So during this period, we are offering some links, ideas and free resources to everyone who visits our site.” https://p4c.com/
The Philosophy Man – Brain Squeezers. “While schools are shut, I will put up lots of resources each week to get kids thinking and talking with their parents on this page, or with each other and teachers for those still in school. The resources will change every Friday. Games, questions, stories, riddles. Solutions to riddles will follow the next week.” Sign up for weekly newsletter https://www.thephilosophyman.com/brainsqueezers
Wonder Project – invites young people between the ages of 5 and 18 to wonder and ponder about the coronavirus and its consequences through self-interviews in audio, text or illustrated format. https://www.wonderponderonline.com/i-wonder-selfinterviews-under-lockdown/2020/4/6/calling-all-5-to-18-year-olds-under-lockdown
Global issues
Global dimension https://globaldimension.org.uk/ Search resources by age, subject or theme. Has links to learning at home resources. Sign up for ‘The Globe’ newsletter for resources related to global days and celebrations
Kids Out – World Stories – stories from different cultures available to listen to in English and a range of other languages. Collection includes retold traditional tales and new short stories in the languages most spoken by UK children. Includes text http://www.worldstories.org.uk/
Sankofa – Storytelling for the digital age – a storytelling project that is working with schools across three countries in Europe to combine traditional storytelling techniques with digital technologies to explore local to global themes https://www.cdec.org.uk/what-we-offer/projects/sankofa/ Videos of some of stories https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxNd8my-BfVxmCf4yv4zeww
Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning (British Council) – “To support teachers, parents and carers with home or remote learning, we have put together a selection of free activities and challenges. They introduce learners to important global issues and the Global Goals for Sustainable Development , and help develop core and transferable skills” https://connecting-classrooms.britishcouncil.org/resources
Oxfam HOME LEARNING INSPIRATION – “fun and educational activities to use at home with children aged 7-14” helping “young people understand their world, reflect on what is important in life, and think about how they can make change happen.” Topics include Keeping Clean and Staying Healthy, Community, Home, Environment, Food, Water, What do we all need to thrive? https://www.oxfamapps.org.uk/coronavirus/education/
Project Everyone / World’s Largest Lesson – focus on UN’s Global / Sustainable Development Goals. Email sent 19/3/20 Ideas for home-schooling and talking to children about the coronavirus https://mailchi.mp/project-everyone/were-in-this-together?e=eb620a35c7 You can sign up for emails at http://www.project-everyone.org/
SDG Book Club – Every month, the SDG Book Club uses books as a tool to encourage children ages 6-12 to interact with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a curated reading list of books from around the world related to each of the 17 SDGs in all six official UN languages—English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sdg-book-club-archive/ #SDGBookClub
World’s Largest Lesson – “With children off school it’s important that they remember there’s a big world out there. Here are adapted lesson plans for online learning or to share with parents. The best one to start with is “Introducing the Global Goals”. You can also read along and discuss the comics and books and ask students to watch and discuss our animated films” https://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/resources-for-online-and-at-home-learning/
100 people project – “aims to represent our entire global neighbourhood through photographs and stories, creating a multi-media traveling exhibition: the World Portrait. https://www.100people.org/statistics_100stats.php?section=statistics
Send A Cow – “fun, creative and easy to use. resources will support you and your children at home to learn about Africa, food, sanitation and how to be a global citizen.” Website with on-line and downloadable teaching materials for every age group and curriculum area https://sendacow.org/get-involved/organisation/schools/lesson-resources/
RISC (Reading International Solidarity Centre) – PARTICIPATE resources to effectively teach Global Citizenship through art and design. 6 different artists (Benin, New Zealand, China, Iraq, Nigeria, )
on–line interactive materials and downloadable teachers packs http://www.octobergallery.co.uk/participate/
Practical Action STEM challenges – “During this exceptional time we wanted to share with you ideas for STEM activities that parents/ carers and children can easily do at home or you can run with the children who remain at school” https://practical-action.org/6WS-6SMSE-1F2IQ5F22F/cr.aspx
Gender Equality
Gender Respect – Teaching ideas. DECSY project “Aiming to help children and young people to understand, question and challenge gender inequality and violence”. Top RHS of this page, links to teaching ideas for Early Years, Primary, Secondary, All Ages, Global Case Studies, Recommended reading https://genderrespect2013.wordpress.com/teaching-ideas/
Gender Action – an award programme which promotes and supports a whole-school approach to challenging stereotypes in nurseries, schools and colleges https://www.genderaction.co.uk/ Has a useful Resource Library https://www.genderaction.co.uk/online-resources
Institute of Physics – resources shaped by research to help schools to address gender imbalance and promote equality. Includes top tips, gender stereotypes & unconscious bias and inclusive learning https://www.iop.org/education/teacher/support/girls_physics/resources/page_63821.html
Girl toys vs boy toys: The experiment – BBC Stories (3 mins 25 secs) The Experiment: Are you sure you don’t gender-stereotype children in the toys you choose for them? Useful stimulus for discussion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWu44AqF0iI
Inspiring The Future believes “that every young person can be whatever they want to be – wherever they live, whatever their parents do, whichever school they attend and however they identify themselves” – Redraw the balance – “One of the greatest demands from primary schools is to help broaden the aspirations and interests of children about jobs and careers. As research shows, gender stereotypes are developed at a very young age…we released a short film exploring this” (2 mins 8 secs) Useful stimulus for discussion. https://www.inspiringthefuture.org/redraw-the-balance/
Independent International Women’s Day: “Norwegian child social experiment brutally illustrates gender inequality ‘She was just as good as me, so we should get the same reward’ “ (2 mins 36 secs) Useful stimulus for discussion https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/international-womens-day-norway-children-video-gender-pay-gap-boys-girls-finansforbundet-trade-union-a8245841.html#gsc.tab=0
World’s Largest Lesson SDG5 – From Where I Stand – take part in this cross curricular survey project that enables students to contribute to the Global Goals right now. Everything you need is in the lesson plan…The survey project involves creating a gender equality ratio of your community decision makers and influencers and sharing this on an interactive map. We aim to create a snapshot of the world that shows what gender equality really looks like to children and young people #FromWhereIStand https://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/worlds-largest-lesson-2016-focus-on-goal-5-gender-equality/
UNESCO SDG5 Gender Equality Resources – “Quality, gender-sensitive education encourages the participation of women and girls in all political, economic and public spheres by making sure they are heard and have real opportunities to fully participate. Furthermore, it contributes to putting an end to practices and traditions that impair the physical, mental and sexual health of women and girls”. Materials for Early Years, Primary and Secondary https://en.unesco.org/themes/education/sdgs/material/05
Gender Education, Research and Technology Foundation – Map of Women’s Excellence in Science and Technology – Map of Women’s Excellence in Science and Technology – Bulgarian Platform for International Development / EU project – “Until recently women’s contribution to the science, technology, medicine and simple innovations facilitating our everyday life remained unacknowledged or hidden behind male names. The dish washer, the windshield wiper blade, the silicon and the Kevlar – all these inventions belong to women. Look for their names! Learn about great women’s scientific inventions! Marie Curie is not alone!” https://bpid.eu/?p=1665
New York Times – Women on the March: A Lesson Plan on Imagining the Future of Feminism (14+) – “ In this lesson, we ask students to imagine what feminism should look like in the United States today. Then, we encourage them to consider the role that intersectionality should play in the women’s movement, to analyze how women are represented in the media today, and to learn more about the issues central to feminism’s agenda” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/learning/lesson-plans/women-on-the-march-a-lesson-plan-on-imagining-the-future-of-feminism.html
Gender Equality Index – shows rating for UK in 2019 in areas of Health, Work, Power, Money, Knowledge, Time and Violence and shows progress made since 2005. Can compare with other EU countries https://eige.europa.eu/gender-equality-index/2019/UK What does your life look like? Enter your gender and country of birth to see how your life could turn out. https://eige.europa.eu/gender-equality-index/game
BBC 100 Women – lots of current and historical features related to gender issues, including the BBC list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2019. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-48623037
AGEMI (Advancing Gender Equality in Media Industries) – Learning Resources – a set of learning resources which focus on different aspects of the gender-media-equality relationship https://www.agemi-eu.org/mod/page/view.php?id=4
Career Rocket Career Rocket – partnership initiative of five NGOs from four EU countries – establishes a transnational cooperation of professionals, equipped adequately for detecting and combating gender based stereotypes, specifically in the field of career choice and professional development of young people – link for Schools http://career-rocket.eu/resources/for-schools/ and for Students http://career-rocket.eu/resources/for-students/
NOWNESS – What men fear most – London-based actor and poet Elliot Barnes-Worrel’s film focuses on the emotional affects of modern masculinity – “I find it really sad that emotional expression isn’t associated with masculinity. It’s so important to be masculine, it’s something that people kill and die for. If you are emotional you are feared and targeted, therefore protecting a false concept of masculine identity is what we do, even at the cost of our mental health.” Useful stimulus for discussion (5 mins 35 secs) (Advisory – 14+ – contains swearing)
A Call to Men – Co-founder – Tony Porter presents at TED Women in Washington DC. He shares a powerful message about manhood and the role of men (as a collective) in preventing domestic and sexual violence…(he) makes a call to men everywhere: Don’t “act like a man.” Telling powerful stories from his own life, he shows how this mentality, drummed into so many men and boys, can lead men to disrespect, mistreat and abuse women and each other. His solution: Break free of the “man box.” Useful stimulus for discussion (11 mins 6 secs)(Advisory – 14+ – disturbing stories) https://www.acalltomen.org/homepagefeatures-all/2016/3/8/tonyportertedtalk
This Girl Can – “No one gets to choose how you exercise other than you. Your body, your call. And whatever that looks like, we think it’s worth celebrating. This Girl Can, funded by The National Lottery, believes that there’s no “right” way to get active. However you jiggle, kick, lift, stretch, or sprint, it’s time to get moving how you damn please” Introductory video (1 min). Includes different people’s stories and ‘Ways to get active’ https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/
Kids Explain Intersectionality – video from the USA about the ways in which sex and gender intersect with other personal characteristics/identities and that many people live multi-dimensional lives. “People aren’t just one picture” Useful stimulus for discussion (2 mins 14 secs). Suitable for 5+ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzbADY-CmTs
Stonewall empowers “LGBT people to be their authentic selves, enabling them to realise and achieve their full potential” and works “with institutions to create inclusive and accepting cultures”. Best practice, toolkits and resources – “Whether you’re just getting started on LGBT inclusion or developing your best practice even further, our resources can help.” https://www.stonewall.org.uk/best-practice-toolkits-and-resources-0
Diversity / Decolonising the Curriculum
The Equality and Human Rights Commission – Great Britain’s national equality body – “Our job is to help make Britain fairer. We do this by safeguarding and enforcing the laws that protect people’s rights to fairness, dignity and respect.” Twelve lesson plan ideas https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/lesson-plan-ideas
EqualiTeach – not-for-profit organisation providing “high quality, interactive training and support on issues of equality, diversity and inclusion”. Classroom Resources for educators to use in their settings to promote equality, celebrate diversity and tackle discrimination https://equaliteach.co.uk/for-schools/classroom-resources/
Facing History and Ourselves – “uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate.” Their collection of educator resources includes a wide range of flexible, multimedia materials, from primary sources and streaming videos to teaching strategies, lesson plans, and full units. Also has a range of teaching strategies that “develop students’ critical thinking and model the skills and dispositions that foster engaged, democratic citizenship”. https://www.facinghistory.org/educator-resources
BAMEd network (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Educators) – “Help us work towards an education sector that is reflective of society” – range of useful resources and reading, including books for children http://www.bameednetwork.com/about-us/
Black Curriculum – social enterprise founded in 2019 by young people to address the lack of Black British history in the UK Curriculum – Free learning resources: Four modules: Art History – Migration – Politics and the Legal System – Land and The Environment https://www.theblackcurriculum.com/ourcurriculum
Show Racism the Red Card – lots of useful teaching packs with lesson ideas available as downloads – includes Home School Activity: Who Am I? – “Activity designed to help you discuss racism with your children whilst also helping them to develop their own critical thinking skills” https://www.theredcard.org/resources-and-activities
Hope not Hate – two lesson plans for teachers of home educators on prejudice and stereotypes https://charity.hopenothate.org.uk/pages/category/educating
Sheffield Archives – downloadable booklet: Sources for the Study of Sheffield, the Slave Trade and the Anti-Slave Trade Movement https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/libraries-archives/access-archives-local-studies-library/research-guides/slavery-abolition
TIDE Global learning – Teaching and learning about the Slave Trade some useful resources and starting points for Primary and Early Years https://www.tidegloballearning.net/primary-early-years/teaching-and-learning-about-slave-trade
BBC Bitesize – The British Empire through time – From early discoveries, through bitter wars with other powers, to popular uprisings, the British Empire went through many changes during the course of history (Aimed at Key Stage 3) https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zf7fr82/revision/1
Horrible Histories – The British Empire in 2 Minutes. Useful stimulus for discussion and further research (2 mins 38 secs) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk14CGx0hSQ
Why Black Lives Matter in education, and beyond – thought-provoking blog by Naila Missous (Teacher of children, presenter and writer) for the Chartered College of Teaching https://my.chartered.college/2020/06/why-black-lives-matter-in-education-and-beyond/
Black Lives Matter at School – teaching resources (from USA) to support the global movement in the “fight for Freedom, Liberation and Justice”. Includes the 2020 Curriculum Resource Guide–“free, downloadable lessons to challenge racism, oppression and build happy and healthy classrooms. Enjoy!” https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com
Teaching Tolerance – free resources (from USA) to educators who work with children from kindergarten through high school from the organisation whose mission is “to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy.” https://www.tolerance.org/
Education Week Teacher: Teaching Now! (USA) – 15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest – “As nationwide protests against police brutality continue, teachers in their virtual classrooms are once again searching for ways to help their students process the killings of black people in police custody in the United States.” https://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2020/06/15_classroom_resources_for_discussing_racism_policing_and_protest.html
Sustainability
SEEd (Sustainability and Environmental Education) – “THE hub for bringing together, sharing and enhancing best practice in sustainability and environmental education” – links to resources on a range of topics such as Climate Change, Nature and Biodiversity, Habitats and Homes and Equality and Justice https://se-ed.co.uk/edu/resources/
Oxfam Climate Challenge (7-11) uses “engaging tools and activities to explore the causes and human impact of climate change, and consider what action can be taken in response” https://www.oxfam.org.uk/education/resources/climate-challenge-7-11 Also (11-14) https://www.oxfam.org.uk/education/resources/climate-challenge-11-14
Campaign against Climate change – range of resource links, including Teach the Future, NASA and the Science Museum https://www.campaigncc.org/schoolresources
Ellen Macarthur Foundation: How we make stuff – Can we do things differently? Activities on a range of issues including factories, chocolate, burgers, clothes and mobile phones https://www.made2bmadeagain.org/
WWF Wild Classroom – Weekly activity plans to do at home “With many schools closed and kids at home, get a day-by-day activity plan to help keep kids learning, thinking, and having fun. Intended for higher elementary to middle school grade levels” https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources
RSPB Explore nature and get closer to wildlife and the outside world – “loads of great ideas and resources to help kids and families connect with nature, from simple activities they can do at home or at school, to wild clubs, fun articles and family-friendly reserves and events” https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/
RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) – Family activities – “to interest your family in gardening and have fun outdoors whatever the weather” https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/gardening-children-schools/family-activities
Knepp Wilding – a former intensively farmed area of land in West Susses has now become a pioneering rewilding project, driving principle is to establish a functioning ecosystem where nature is given as much freedom as possible https://knepp.co.uk/home Knepp videos, including Kneppflix videos of animals and nature https://knepp.co.uk/rewildingkneppvideo
Declare a Climate Emergency – list of councils that have declared a Climate Emergency with discussion forum and resources https://www.climateemergency.uk/ Sheffield http://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=18587 No Action Plan yet – see other councils who have developed one and encourage he council to take action!
Inspiring Young People
World’s Largest Lesson – What young people are doing around the world to further the SDGs – Sir Ken Robinson, Emma Watson and Aardman Animations invite children to get involved in the Global Goals for Sustainable Development by inventing, innovating and campaigning https://vimeo.com/178464378
Voices for the Global Goals – “Let’s make the Goals famous! 2030 isn’t that far away, get creative and tell us how you will help spread the word” – young people share what they are doing https://flipgrid.com/globalvoice
Severn Cullis-Suzuki – environment and culture activist, speaker & author – gave a famous speech ‘I Am Only a Child’ as a 12 year-old child to the UN at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 – online book based on this being released soon https://severncullissuzuki.com/ BBC Ideas – focus on her speech to UN in 1992 (5 mins 2 secs) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAyXeXVFSbw
Malala Yousafzai – Malala Fund – “Learn how Malala began her fight for girls — from an education activist in Pakistan to the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate — and how she continues her campaign through Malala Fund” https://www.malala.org/malalas-story
Greta Thurnberg – Time Magazine Person of the Year 2019 – inspiring article, includes video about Greta (3 mins 31 secs). Useful for discussion and further research https://time.com/person-of-the-year-2019-greta-thunberg/
BBC 3 – Five Teens who changed the world – Greta Thunberg – Malala Yousafzai – Emma González (gun control) – Jack Andraka (invented simple test for pancreatic cancer) – Amika George (fighting period poverty in the UK) https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/0e9e80de-62cb-4782-a26f-1cd480d28f26
Good Housekeeping – 40 Incredible Kids Who Have Changed the World – “Here’s proof that you can make a difference at any age” – activists and entrepreneurs…areas of interest span from the environment, representation, and access for those with disabilities to immigration and civil rights https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/inspirational-stories/g5188/kids-who-changed-the-world/
Indiegogo – Queeng Playing Cards – “The first deck of cards where men and women are equal!” – Developed by young female entrepreneur in response to question “Why is the King always worth more than the Queen?” https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/queeng-playing-cards?fbclid=IwAR3_AwKu3O06oQr52-JIWLyHOced0Rn10Oi3qKu_IXc1AmTT96npERfqkMc#/
WWF – Inspiring young people to take action “Today’s young people will be the stewards of our planet in the years to come. That’s why we’re putting young people at the centre of our work” – “Our youth engagement programme supports and empowers young people, helping them to inspire and motivate others to join in the fight for our world” https://www.wwf.org.uk/get-involved/youth-engagement
A Better World Post Covid 19?
Reboot the Future – Rebooting Education: How COVID-19 is changing our ideas about education A conversation on Rebooting Education – invitation to find what we have learned about education during the crisis, and to explore what this means for the future. Reboot the Future believe we need a new vision of education, one that nurtures our ability to connect with each other and the rich eco-systems that support us, or what we call, the Golden Rule: Treat others and the planet as you would wish to be treated. Take part in the discussions and complete a survey https://www.rebootthefuture.org/blog/education
2040 – a journey to explore what the future could look like by the year 2040 if we simply embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve our planet and shifted them rapidly into the mainstream. https://togetherfilms.org/2040-home
Build Back Better – “The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside down, exposing major weaknesses in our economy and the deep-seated inequalities in our society that mean the most vulnerable people have been hit the hardest. But what we do next could change everything. As the world recovers, we have a chance to reset the clock and build back better than before” https://www.buildbackbetteruk.org/
Make Britain Better after the Covid Crisis – “ an open invitation to make suggestions, connect initiatives across the country, and create an unstoppable movement to change Britain for good. We created this site to facilitate debate, make connections with others developing ideas and initiatives that will make Britain better. Please join the conversation and share your thoughts. Contribute to creating the momentum essential for change” https://www.britainaftercovid.net/
