November 5, or Guy Fawkes Night, is when British people remember the failed “Gunpowder Plot” to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. Every November, British people light bonfires and set off fireworks to remember the day when the Houses of Parliament, and King James I, were almost blown up by terrorists. In a … Continue reading “Guy Fawkes: Man in a Mask”
Halloween is an important fundraiser for UNICEF U.S.A. Trick or Treat for UNICEF was started in 1947 and 31 October was declared UNICEF Day by President Lyndon B. Johnson 20 years later. It allows kids “put some meaning in their Halloweening” by collecting money for the United Nations Childrens’ Fund. The campaign was started by … Continue reading “Trick or Treat to Do Good”
Halloween is a popular celebration with pupils, and it can be a great way to introduce some English-speaking culture. In the U.S.A., a major Halloween tradition is Trick or Treat for Unicef, a fundraising campaign for the United Nations children’s fund. Unicef has lots of teaching resources about the campaign. This is Unicef U.S.A.’s main … Continue reading “Halloween with Unicef Videos”
This A1+ article is a short introduction to the Gunpowder Plot, which could of course be treated from a more complex historical point of view at a higher level. The traditions of Guy Fawkes night, fireworks, bonfires and the State Opening of Parliament are introduced. As 5e pupils are studying the same period in history (Thème … Continue reading “Guy Fawkes”
Since 1988, British charity Comic Relief has been encouraging people to don a clown’s red nose and “do something funny for money”. Red Nose Day is back on Friday 19 March and this time, it’s plastic free! In 2019, for the last Red Nose Day, Comic Relief received hundreds of letters from children and schools … Continue reading “Red Nose Day is Back!”
Red Nose Day (19 March in 2021) encourages people to raise money for projects in the UK and the developing world by “doing something funny for money.” But it also aims to raise awareness of poverty, particularly among schoolchildren, who are massive supporters, along with school staff, of Red Nose Day. Here are a selection … Continue reading “Red Nose Day Webpicks”
The St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin was one of the first victims of the COVID pandemic last year and it’s been cancelled again this year for the same reason. But never fear! Let’s face it, most of us were not going to get to Dublin to celebrate Paddy’s Day on 17 March, but we … Continue reading “St Patrick’s Festival 2021”
Brits are gearing up to raise money for charity with Sport Relief on 13 March. The high-energy version of Comic Relief is asking people to lace up their running shoes, put on their swimsuits or get on their bikes to tackle issues such as mental health stigma, domestic abuse, homelessness and poverty, both in the … Continue reading “Be a Sport!”
Sport Relief is from 9 to 13 March in the UK. Like its twin, Red Nose Day, it has always had a big educational element. Schools participate massively in fundraising, but the charity also provides lots of teaching materials so classes can learn about the problems Sport Relief funds are helping to tackle. The schools’ … Continue reading “Sport Relief Teaching Materials”
From schools playing Harry Potter-inspired quidditch matches, to mass runs and cycles, Sport Relief (17-23 March) provides plenty of themes for language learning: charities and solidarity, sport, exercise and health. Schools participate massively in Sport Relief, so there are lots of teaching resources. The ones for primary schools are best adapted for language learners. This … Continue reading “Sport Relief Webpicks”