You may have heard about a complex concept described as a “Rube Goldberg”… then wondered what that meant. The Rube Goldberg machine is a complicated machine that does simple tasks. Rube Goldberg was an American inventor, sculptor, author, engineer, cartoonist and he is very famous for his zany inventions cartoons. Before he was known as … Continue reading “The Art of Rube Goldberg: Why do simple when it can be complicated?”
The Battle of Britain was a turning point in World War Two, when 3,000 fighter pilots were Britain’s last line of defence against a Nazi invasion. Just when Britain’s civilians thought the worst was over, the Luftwaffe started bombing cities in The Blitz. In May and June 1940, Britain had evacuated its troops from France, … Continue reading “Battling on the British Home Front”
If you want to work on Britain in the Second World War with your pupils, there are lots of online tools to help you. Here are some on The Battle of Britain and the subsequent Blitz. The newly renovated Imperial War Museum has a very interesting mini-site on the Battle of Britain using fascinating photographs … Continue reading “Battle of Britain and Blitz Teaching Tools”
A very special concert will place in Manchester on Sunday 4 June. After the tragic terrorist attack on crowds leaving her concert on 22 May, U.S. singer Ariana Grande is returning to the city to play a benefit concert for the victims and their families. An all-star cast of musicians is joining her. Proceeds of … Continue reading “Music Against Terror”
Churchill is a portrait of the wartime British Prime Minister, not as a one-dimensional heroic leader but as a far more human, and in some ways more likeable, character with all the frailties and contradictions that implies. Every country needs its national myths and in the wake of WW2, Britain constructed one where British people … Continue reading “Churchill Hesitates”
Bite the Ballot and The League of Young Voters are both British charities created by young people and focused on getting young people engaged in voting, especially in the general election on 8 June. Their videos, apps and animations are extremely teen-friendly and excellent for working on citizenship in class. This video encouraging young people … Continue reading “Young Voters Webpicks”
You might think young British voters would be getting jaded after two general elections and a referendum in two years. But on the contrary, young people are signing up to vote in record numbers. There has been a surge of voters registering to vote since the surprise announcement of the general election. Between Mrs May’s … Continue reading “Young Voters”
Cerys Lock, 14, loves computer coding, and in fact everything about computers. She was recently awarded the European Digital Girl Award and hopes it will help her encourage other teenagers, and particularly girls, to take up coding, and consider a career in computing. Cerys is from Stafford, England, where she is currently studying for her … Continue reading “Digital Girl of the Year”
In this A1+ article your students will use their speaking and reading skills to travel in the world of Disney’s latest Pirates of the Caribbean film whose UK title Salazar’s Revenge is more explicit than the U.S. Dead Men Don’t Tell Lies. While exploring the theme of heroes and anti-heroes would obviously be above A1+ … Continue reading “Pirates of the Caribbean”
Reconciliation Australia is an NGO set up to facilitate reconciliation between the wider Australian population and Indigenous Australians. They have a very attractive learning section on their Share Our Pride website which includes the following videos. It’s perfect for a theme about Indigenous Australians and/or Sorry Day. This is a relatively simple, short explanation (less … Continue reading “Sorry Day Teaching Resources”
