Codexterous. Thoughts about teaching, literature, and teaching literature

Codexterous is a blog dedicated to providing teaching resources primarily for English Literature and Language at GCSE and A-Level levels. It offers a variety of booklets and educational tools aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning experience in literature.

This blog is particularly useful for educators seeking adaptable, student-friendly materials that can be modified according to classroom needs. It emphasizes practical teaching methodologies and aims to make literature more accessible and engaging for students.

To explore Codexterous and its resources, visit:

https://codexterous.home.blog/resources/

Learn English with #Kahoot

Diverse resources for English class created by Inma and Pedro Civera on Kahoot.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12oogNr2IUEcj3IfTaZ__kaN51gtt9hH-/view?usp=sharing

Green and Blue Projects

The Green and Blue Projects initiative, hosted by the Scientix platform, promotes sustainability and environmental education across schools in Europe. 

It encourages collaboration on projects focused on "green" (environmental) and "blue" (marine) sustainability topics, aiming to integrate these themes into STEM education. Through activities, resources, and support, the project assists educators in developing awareness and skills for sustainable development among students.

For detailed information, visit:

https://www.scientix.eu/projects/green-blue-projects

Proyecto EDIA. REA «School reforms»

School reforms is an open educational resource that is part of a project comprising a set of six learning scenarios called Teens Crafting Communities, designed for 10th-grade (4th ESO) students. 

This project follows the service-learning methodology with the goal of fostering social commitment and active participation to develop a shared project. 

This resource can be used independently or as part of the full set, thereby covering the entire English curriculum for 10th grade (4th ESO). The primary purpose of this learning scenario is for students to identify their school's needs for change by conducting a survey and subsequently submitting a request to the administration. 

To achieve this, students will undertake three missions culminating in a final challenge: drafting a formal proposal for change addressed to the school administration, based on the survey results they will organize. Through these challenges, students will not only learn how to create a survey but will also develop a sense of purpose and social responsibility, focusing on diverse aspects such as SDG 4 on quality education. 

https://cedec.intef.es/proyecto-edia-rea-school-reforms-para-ingles-de-4o-eso/

BBC Learning English Conversations

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio is a resource provided by BBC Learning English that focuses on helping English learners improve their conversational skills. Through structured dialogues, role plays, and situational conversations, learners can practice listening comprehension, pronunciation, and everyday English language use.

The program covers a wide range of topics, from common social interactions to professional communication, aimed at building confidence in spoken English. It's designed for learners at different proficiency levels, offering accessible and engaging content that often includes transcripts, exercises, and downloadable resources. It’s popular among English learners globally for its practical approach to language acquisition.

Find it on:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02pc9zn/episodes/downloads

Halloween Pumpkin Contest

Once again, our school welcomes back a contest that’s becoming a true classic at IES Azorín! Organized by the English department, the competing pumpkins were displayed in the entrance hallway throughout last week. Congratulations to all participants for their terrifying creativity!

Informed Language Teacher

The Informed Language Teacher is a free educational resource aimed at helping language teachers, particularly trainees, gain deeper insights into the principles and research underpinning effective language teaching. Curated by Steve Smith, a former teacher and educator, the site is structured into several thematic sections, each featuring articles, videos, and podcasts on topics like motivation, cognitive science, input and output theories, communicative language teaching, and vocabulary development.

The site provides accessible links to high-quality research and pedagogical materials without promoting any specific teaching approach, making it a valuable tool for language teachers seeking evidence-based strategies to improve classroom practice. It covers both foundational concepts and new findings, appealing to educators wanting to stay informed and critically engaged with language acquisition research.

For more details, visit:

https://www.informedlanguageteacher.com/

The Presidential Ham by @bijijoo (Thanks to @NaoCasanova)

The Presidential Ham is a satirical website that humorously critiques American political figures and events. The site uses the concept of "The Presidential Ham" as a fictional, slightly absurd award to comment on U.S. politics with wit and humor. 

By embracing the quirky idea of a "presidential ham," the site playfully examines the actions, statements, and controversies of the presidents of the United States.

Given the current U.S. elections, this resource could be useful in English class to work on physical and character descriptions.

You can find it here:

https://presidentialham.com/

https://bijijoo.com/

The Georgian Theatre Royal Education Pack

This resource is an educational pack about Georgian theatre, provided by the University of York. It offers background on 18th-century theatre history, focusing on aspects like playhouses, actors, and the role of theatre in society. 

The pack includes practical activities, discussion questions, and resources aimed at students and teachers to enhance their understanding of Georgian theatre, its development, and its cultural significance.

https://www.york.ac.uk/media/english/images/thelifeoftheplayhouse/Georgian%20Theatre%20Education%20Pack.pdf

CommonLit library

The CommonLit library is a free online resource that provides a vast collection of high-quality reading materials for students and educators. It includes a diverse range of texts, such as short stories, poems, articles, and historical documents, designed to help students from grades 3 to 12 improve their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. The library offers texts that cover various genres, themes, and reading levels, making it adaptable for different educational needs.

Each text in the CommonLit library is accompanied by comprehension questions, discussion prompts, and sometimes paired texts to support literacy instruction. Teachers can create accounts to assign readings to their students and track progress. The platform is used widely in classrooms to support reading development and align with academic standards like Common Core.

You can explore the library here:

https://www.commonlit.org/en/library?initiatedFrom=library

Jane the Brain: A cerebral adventure for our little ones

The recent World Mental Health Day reminded us of the importance of taking care of our minds, especially from a young age. And for our little ones, learning about the brain in a fun and educational way is essential. That's where Video Series Jane the Brain comes in!

What is Jane the Brain?

Jane the Brain is an animated video series that takes kids on a fascinating journey through the human brain. Through colorful animations and endearing characters, Jane explains complex neuroscience concepts in a simple and entertaining way. From how we learn and remember to how we feel emotions, Jane makes it all understandable.

Why is it important for children's mental health?

Normalizing emotions: Jane the Brain helps children understand that their emotions are normal and that everyone experiences them.

Fostering curiosity: By presenting the brain as a fascinating organ, the series sparks children's curiosity to learn more about themselves.

Developing social skills: The videos promote empathy and understanding of others' perspectives.

Reducing stigma: By openly discussing the brain and mental health, it helps to reduce the stigma associated with these topics.

How to use Jane the Brain at home or in the classroom?

Viewing sessions: Dedicate some time each week to watch Jane the Brain episodes with your family or in the classroom.

Complementary activities: Create fun and educational activities based on the video topics, such as drawings, role-playing, or simple experiments.

Open dialogue: Use the videos as a starting point for conversations about emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Find this amazing resource on:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/get-involved/science-education/video-series-jane-the-brain

SoBrief: #ArtificialIntelligence to generate book summaries

SoBrief is an innovative AI-powered tool that provides concise and accurate summaries of a wide variety of books. Language teachers can leverage this platform to:

• Expand their reading horizons: Discover new works and literary genres quickly and easily.
• Enrich their classes: Use the summaries as a starting point for class discussions, literary analysis, or as a supplement to your teaching materials.
• Encourage reading among their students: Recommend books to students based on their interests and language proficiency levels.
• Save time: Avoid the tedious task of summarizing books yourself and devote more time to preparing more creative activities.

With SoBrief, teachers have access to summaries in multiple languages, which facilitates the integration of literature from different cultures into their classes and promotes the learning of foreign languages in a more engaging and meaningful way.

Find it on:

https://sobrief.com/

TalkEnglish.com

TalkEnglish.com is a free online platform designed to help users improve their English speaking, listening, and comprehension skills. It offers a wide range of resources, including:

Speaking lessons: focused on improving conversational skills for various contexts such as business, travel, and daily life.

Listening lessons: helps users improve their listening comprehension by providing audio conversations with transcripts.

Grammar lessons: covers essential English grammar rules and structures.

Vocabulary resources: provides lists of commonly used English words and phrases.

Interactive exercises: offers quizzes and practice exercises to reinforce learning.

The website is aimed at both beginners and advanced learners looking to enhance their English fluency, with structured lessons and practical tools.

https://www.talkenglish.com/

A Way with Words. Radio show and podcast

A Way with Words is a radio show and podcast that focuses on language, linguistics, and communication. Hosted by Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett, the program explores a wide range of topics related to words, grammar, slang, idioms, and the origins of phrases. It features listener questions about language usage, as well as discussions on how language evolves, its quirks, and its role in culture.

Listeners can call in or write with questions, making the show interactive and engaging for language enthusiasts. The podcast appeals to anyone curious about the intricacies of words and language in everyday life.

You can find the show on popular podcast platforms like: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts...

Some episodes are available on their YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@waywordradio

Episodes are available for streaming or download at:

https://waywordradio.org/

ValentinaESL.com by @ValentinaESL

ValentinaESL.com is an online resource platform designed for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers. It offers a wide variety of materials and tools to enhance ESL teaching, including lesson plans, activities, worksheets, and ideas for classroom engagement. 

The site is aimed at helping teachers create dynamic and interactive lessons for learners of all ages and proficiency levels.

Valentina Gonzalez, the creator of the site, shares resources focused on making language learning enjoyable and accessible. The content is typically available for free or through paid membership options, providing a flexible way for educators to access and integrate the materials into their teaching practices.

Visit this amazing collection of resources on:

https://www.valentinaesl.com/

EnglishCentral.com

EnglishCentral.com is an online language learning platform designed to help users improve their English skills through video-based lessons. The platform offers a vast library of videos covering various topics, ranging from everyday conversations to more specialized content like business English. Users can practice listening, speaking, vocabulary, and pronunciation by watching the videos and engaging with interactive exercises.

EnglishCentral employs a unique "watch, learn, speak" methodology that integrates speech recognition technology to provide instant feedback on users' pronunciation. It caters to learners of all levels, offering courses, tracking progress, and allowing users to work at their own pace. Additionally, it provides tools for teachers to create custom lessons and monitor their students' progress.

Visit:

https://www.englishcentral.com/browse/videos

2024 European Day of Languages: Europeans and their languages

The European Day of Languages is an opportunity to promote language learning and linguistic diversity. This year, the European Commission is hosting an event to discuss the 2024 Eurobarometer results on Europeans and their languages, comparing them with the 2012 results. Countries with positive outcomes, such as Finland, Portugal, and the Czech Republic, will be featured.

Speakers include Iliana Ivanova, EU Commissioner for Innovation, and various Directors General from the European Commission. The event will take place on 26 September from 12:00 to 13:00 CET and will be livestreamed with subtitles in all EU languages on this page:

https://education.ec.europa.eu/event/2024-european-day-of-languages-europeans-and-their-languages

We Teach MFL

We Teach MFL is a website offering a variety of resources aimed at supporting Modern Foreign Language (MFL) teachers. The platform provides lesson materials, worksheets, grammar guides, and exam-specific tools for Key Stage 3, GCSE, and A-Level curriculums.

These resources are designed by educators to help make teaching more engaging and efficient. Additionally, the site includes professional development (CPD) opportunities, such as webinars and blog posts, focused on enhancing teaching strategies.

Teachers can access these resources through a membership model, which offers materials for languages like Spanish and French.

Find it on:

https://www.weteachmfl.co.uk/

Free resources on:

https://www.weteachmfl.co.uk/free-resources

Open Culture

Open Culture is an educational website that offers free access to a wide range of high-quality cultural and educational resources. Founded in 2006 by Dan Colman, it curates links to free online content, including:

Free online courses from prestigious universities 

Classic films, indie movies, and documentaries.

A large collection of free audiobooks, many of them literary classics.

Free resources to help users learn over 40 different languages.

Educational resources: lectures, podcasts, and other learning materials.

Find it on:

https://www.openculture.com/

Ecosocial Calendar School Year 2024/ 2025 by Teachers for Future Spain

The Ecosocial School Year Calendar 2024/2025 by Teachers for Future Spain is a resource designed to incorporate environmental and social sustainability themes into education. 

This calendar highlights important ecological and social dates, such as international days related to climate action, biodiversity, and human rights. It encourages educators to use these dates as opportunities to integrate discussions on climate change, sustainable practices, and social justice into their lessons.

One key feature of the calendar is its inclusion of QR codes, which link to educational resources, activities, and materials to help teachers engage students in topics related to the environment and sustainability. The calendar highlights the birthdays of notable environmental figures to inspire students and provide role models.

https://teachersforfuturespain.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Copia-de-Calendario-2425-para-ingles.pdf 

How to spot and fight disinformation

How to Spot and Fight Disinformation is a guide aimed at helping citizens identify and combat the spread of false information, especially online. 

Developed by the European Union, it typically provides practical tips and strategies for recognizing disinformation, such as checking the credibility of sources, verifying facts, analyzing images and videos for manipulation, and understanding the motives behind the spread of misleading content.

The resource is part of the EU’s broader effort to promote media literacy, safeguard democracy, and prevent the harmful effects of disinformation, including political manipulation and social division. It often includes examples of common disinformation tactics and provides guidance on how to respond or report suspicious content on digital platforms.

Find it on:

https://learning-corner.learning.europa.eu/learning-materials/how-spot-and-fight-disinformation_en

Also available in Spanish:

https://spain.representation.ec.europa.eu/document/06d2547a-63e2-4b8b-9c08-620c5a6990d9_es

International Literacy Day #LiteracyDay

Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) has been celebrated every year on 8 September across the globe. It's a day to remind everyone—policy-makers, educators, and the public—of just how vital literacy is for building a more informed, fair, peaceful, and sustainable world. 

Discover this celebration and many literacy-related resources on UNESCO's webpage dedicated to this day. 

https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy

USA Learns. Free English classes

USA Learns is a free online platform designed to help adults learn English and improve their English language skills. It offers a wide range of resources for learners at various levels, covering essential topics such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The platform is structured with interactive lessons that focus on real-life scenarios, such as work, school, and daily activities, making it practical for adult learners aiming to enhance their communication skills for daily use or career advancement.

In addition to English language instruction, USA Learns also provides a citizenship course to help learners prepare for the U.S. citizenship test, covering the civics and history topics needed to pass the exam.

Find it on:

https://www.usalearns.org/

Swear words and profanities from around the world

Swear words and profanities from around the world is a resource dedicated to collecting and explaining curse words, insults, and profanities from different languages and cultures.

It serves as a reference for linguists, travelers, or those simply curious about global slang, and it generally highlights the diverse ways people express strong emotions or frustration across languages and regions.

Find this multilingual resource on:

https://profanity.acatcalledfrank.com/

The State of the Global Climate 2023

The State of the Global Climate is an annual report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This report provides a comprehensive overview of global climate trends, analyzing key indicators such as temperature changes, greenhouse gas concentrations, ice cover, and extreme weather events. It highlights the significant impact of climate change on ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide.

It also serves as a tool for tracking progress towards climate goals, evaluating risks, and identifying areas where urgent action is needed. It emphasizes how human activities are intensifying climate disruptions, leading to unprecedented shifts in weather patterns, rising sea levels, and increasing natural disasters.

This report can be used in English class when addressing the issue of climate change, its causes, consequences, and possible responses around the world.

Find it on:

https://library.wmo.int/records/item/68835-state-of-the-global-climate-2023 

Animation on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES7eKWRRJ0o 

The Media History Project

The Media History Project is a digital initiative run by the Media History Digital Library (MHDL), which was founded by Eric Hoyt, a media historian and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The MHDL is a nonprofit effort that focuses on digitizing media periodicals, such as magazines, trade journals, and books, and making them freely accessible to the public. Their digital collections offer valuable resources for research in the fields of film, broadcasting, and recorded sound.

You can explore the official Media History Digital Library site here:

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

The risks and benefits of AI by Nik Peachey

In this lesson, students engage in discussions about how AI affects society as a whole and its role in learning English. The session is designed to help students examine both the potential advantages and drawbacks of AI, particularly in the context of language learning. 

Throughout the lesson, students will brainstorm AI-related vocabulary, read about and debate various risks and benefits of AI, listen to discussions on AI's impact on education, and experiment with ways AI can assist in improving their English skills.

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/teaching-resources/teaching-secondary/lesson-plans/upper-intermediate-b2/risks-and-benefits-ai

Scientix

Scientix is a European initiative aimed at promoting and supporting science education across Europe. It was created by the European Commission and is managed by European Schoolnet (EUN), a network of 34 European Ministries of Education. The platform serves as a community for teachers, researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

Scientix offers a large repository of teaching materials, research reports, and project results related to STEM education. Teachers can access and share lesson plans, activities, and other educational resources. The platform provides opportunities for teachers to participate in online courses, workshops, and conferences. These professional development activities help educators stay updated with the latest trends and practices in STEM education.

https://www.scientix.eu/

StoryWeaver

StoryWeaver is an open-source platform created by Pratham Books, designed to provide access to a vast library of multilingual children's stories. It allows users to read, create, translate, and share stories for free, making it a valuable resource for educators, parents, and children around the world. 

The platform is particularly useful in promoting literacy and a love for reading in various languages, including those that are less commonly represented in mainstream publishing.

How can you use StoryWeaver?

Accessing free stories: Teachers can use StoryWeaver to find age-appropriate stories in multiple languages for their students. The stories are categorized by reading level, making it easy to select suitable material for different age groups and proficiency levels.

Creating customized stories: Teachers can use the platform to create their own stories, tailored to the needs and interests of their students. They can also involve students in the story creation process, fostering creativity and writing skills.

Tanslating stories: StoryWeaver offers the ability to translate existing stories into different languages. This feature is particularly useful for teachers working in multilingual classrooms or looking to support students learning a new language.

Using stories as teaching tools: Teachers can incorporate the stories into their lesson plans, using them as prompts for discussions, reading comprehension exercises, or creative writing assignments. The platform also provides resources like flashcards and storyboards that can enhance the storytelling experience.

Promoting inclusivity and cultural awareness: With stories available in numerous languages and reflecting diverse cultural backgrounds, StoryWeaver helps teachers promote inclusivity and cultural awareness in the classroom.

https://storyweaver.org.in/en/

NASA+

NASA+ is a new streaming service launched by NASA to bring the wonders of space exploration and science directly to the public. Available on both web and mobile platforms, NASA+ offers a variety of content including live broadcasts, documentaries, original series, and educational materials. 

The service is designed to be accessible and free, providing a unique opportunity for viewers to explore NASA’s missions, research, and the broader universe.

https://plus.nasa.gov/ 

Making Groups Work via @NikPeachey

Making Groups Work is an excellent resource for teachers aiming to boost collaboration and engagement among students. 

The book is based on 24 case studies from teachers who work with adult learners. It shares their experiences and solutions to common classroom challenges. The book includes practical tips, techniques, and activities that can be easily applied in any classroom to enhance cooperation and teamwork.

Find this publication on:

https://payhip.com/b/vcwaA

U.S. Geological Survey. Educational resources

Created by an act of Congress in 1879, the USGS provides science for a changing world, which reflects and responds to society’s continuously evolving needs. 

As the science arm of the Department of the Interior, the USGS brings an array of earth, water, biological, and mapping data and expertise to bear in support of decision-making on environmental, resource, and public safety issues.

Find their educational resources on:

https://www.usgs.gov/educational-resources 

TeachingEnglish: Inclusive classrooms

Make your classes inclusive learning spaces by identifying barriers that can affect learning and practical strategies to overcome them. Access this free course now. The free online modules are available for self-study now. 

Enrolment closes on 21 September and the course closes on 28 September

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training/teachingenglish-inclusive-classrooms

Spin the Wheel. Class Novel Talk #Wordwall

A roulette wheel with question prompts created using the Wordwall tool to discuss a class reading in groups.

Job hunting (English lesson)

Get ready for an exciting lesson on finding the perfect job in English! Imagine searching for a cool summer job or your dream job in the UK. You'll be using the website 'Indeed' to explore all the possibilities.

Once you've found some awesome job options, you'll share your discoveries with the class, boosting your speaking skills in a fun way. This lesson will help you think about important job details like working hours, requirements, and qualifications.

To make it even easier, we’ve included an explanation of how 'Indeed' works and a handy learning mat with all the job-related terms you need. Plus, the mat has sentence starters to help you present your chosen job with confidence. Let's get started on your journey to finding the perfect job!

https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12774585

Designing for Education with Artificial Intelligence

Designing for Education with Artificial Intelligence is a guide published by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology in 2024. 

This essential guide is intended for developers and focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into educational tools and systems. It provides comprehensive insights and practical recommendations to help create effective, ethical, and user-friendly AI-driven educational technologies. The publication aims to foster innovation in education, enhance learning experiences, and support educators and students through the responsible use of AI.

Designing for Education with Artificial Intelligence. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, Designing for Education with Artificial Intelligence: An Essential Guide for Developers, Washington, D.C., 2024. 

You can download it from:

https://tech.ed.gov/files/2024/07/Designing-for-Education-with-Artificial-Intelligence-An-Essential-Guide-for-Developers.pdf

Alert! Report on conflicts, human rights and peacebuilding

Alert 2024! Report on Conflicts, Human Rights, and Peacebuilding is an annual report. It looks at the state of the world in terms of conflict and peacebuilding. The report focuses on three main areas: armed conflict, tensions, and gender in peace and security.

The report examines the most important events of 2023. It looks at the nature, causes, dynamics, actors, and consequences of the main areas of armed conflict and social and political tension around the world. This analysis gives a comparative view of different regions and identifies global trends. It also points out risks and gives early warnings for the future.

Additionally, the report finds opportunities for peacebuilding. It highlights chances to reduce, prevent, or solve conflicts.

Find it on:

https://escolapau.uab.cat/img/programas/alerta/alerta/24/alerta24i.pdf

World Drug Report 2024

The UNODC World Drug Report is an annual publication by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that provides a comprehensive overview of global drug trends. 

The report includes data and analysis on the production, trafficking, and consumption of various types of drugs, as well as information on drug-related health issues, policy responses, and emerging trends.

It aims to inform policymakers, researchers, and the general public about the current state of the global drug problem and to support evidence-based policy and action to address drug-related challenges.

If you want to introduce this topic in your English class, you can use it as a source of information and data collection or to show emerging trends, health consequences, or policy and legal responses to this issue.

https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/world-drug-report-2024.html

Proyecto EDIA. REA Let the games begin de Inglés para 4º de ESO

Students are going to think of ways of making a positive impact on the world around them as well as mastering their English skills through engaging, interactive activities. 

Through service learning, students will develop the competences that define their output profile when they finish their compulsory secondary school years. At the end of the project, they will have:

• read web pages about sports.
• watched videos about the benefits of sports and inspiring world athletes.
• taken part in a group discussion.
• mediated a form.

Source & more information:

https://cedec.intef.es/proyecto-edia-rea-let-the-games-begin-de-ingles-para-4o-de-eso/

https://cedec.intef.es/recursos/?id=34574

Learning for Justice

Learning for Justice, an education program of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), focuses on community engagement to foster dialogue, learning, reflection, and action among those most affected by injustices in the South.

This program aims to support the SPLC’s mission of promoting racial justice in the South and beyond by collaborating with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance human rights for all. Learning for Justice emphasizes education as a means to inspire action towards liberation and justice.

Visit:

https://www.learningforjustice.org/ 

Classroom resources:

https://www.learningforjustice.org/classroom-resources

One Institute. LGBTQ+ History lesson plans

One Institute has collaborated with the UCLA History-Geography Project, OUT for Safe Schools at LA LGBT Center, and ONE Archives at the USC Libraries to organize K-12 curriculum symposiums and offer LGBTQ+ history lesson plans to educators free of charge. 

These lesson plans align with California’s FAIR Education Act and History-Social Science Framework, mandating that K-12 schools in California include fair, accurate, inclusive, and respectful representations of LGBTQ+ communities in their social studies and history curricula.

https://www.oneinstitute.org/lgbtq-lesson-plans/  

PLASTEAM #ErasmusPlus project

The project aims to raise awareness among primary school students and teachers about the environmental impact of plastics. It encourages responsible use, consumption, and recycling of plastics to create 'plastic-free schools'. By involving teachers and school managers, the project promotes good practices to reduce waste and improve recycling in primary schools.

Key results and outcomes include:

- Plastic Footprint for Schools: An app to monitor plastic waste habits in schools.

- 'Plastic-free Schools' Recommendations and Contest: Identification of plastic consumption challenges, recommendations for sustainable practices, and a contest rewarding the best STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) solution to tackle plastic waste.

- STEAM Box and Labs: A set of tools and activities for teachers to use in their lessons.

This initiative serves as an inspiration for similar projects, demonstrating how schools can effectively engage in reducing plastic waste and promoting environmental sustainability.

Find it on:

https://plasteam.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/PLASTEAM_Brochure_EN.pdf

https://plasteam.eu/

Invent, impact, inspire (Learning situations)

In these learning situations, from a service-learning approach, participants will think of ways to make a positive impact on the world while mastering English skills through engaging and interactive activities.

Participants will organize a technology fair at school to showcase useful inventions for the community. They will learn to collect information on local needs by participating in a public forum, write a patent application for their invention, and create a tutorial with instructions on how their invention works. The final task is to present the project at the technology fair, explaining the problem it addresses and its relevance to the community.

The study will include vocabulary about social issues, rules of netiquette, use of comparatives and superlatives, expressing logical relations using connectors of purpose and reason, phrases for giving instructions, and the pronunciation of the final -r.

The project includes three missions and a final challenge, involving individual, pair, and group work.

Participants are encouraged to do their best and enjoy the learning process.

https://descargas.intef.es/cedec/proyectoedia/ingles/contenidos/invent_impact_inspire/index.html

Cooperative Learning and the Sustainable Development Goals

Cooperative Learning and the Sustainable Development Goals is a guidebook for English language teachers. It offers lesson plans, tips, and teaching techniques to help integrate cooperative learning and the SDGs into classrooms.

This practical book provides tools to create collaborative environments, improve language skills, and promote global citizenship through engaging lessons. It's a valuable resource for both experienced and new teachers looking to combine cooperative learning with the SDGs effectively.

Free download on:

https://payhip.com/b/obOwr 

Education and Climate Change: Learning to Act for People and Planet

UNESCO's publication Education and Climate Change: Learning to Act for People and Planet is a comprehensive guide that emphasizes the critical role of education in addressing climate change. It explores how educational systems can integrate climate literacy into their curricula, fostering a generation of informed and proactive individuals. It highlights best practices, case studies, and strategies for empowering students to take meaningful action for environmental sustainability. 

This publication is available in Open Access under the Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO) licence.

Find it on:

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000389801

Technology in Education: A Tool on Whose Terms?

Technology in Education: A Tool on Whose Terms? is a thought-provoking publication that examines the integration of technology in educational settings. This publication delves into the benefits and challenges associated with the use of technology in classrooms around the world.

UNESCO critically analyzes how technology can enhance learning experiences, promote inclusive education, and bridge educational gaps. However, it also highlights the potential drawbacks, such as dependency on technology, issues of accessibility, and the risk of widening the digital divide.

The publication encourages educators and policymakers to consider whose terms technology is being used on, advocating for a balanced and equitable approach to integrating digital tools in education. By doing so, it aims to ensure that technology serves as a beneficial resource for all students, regardless of their background.

Find it on:

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000385723

World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day is an annual event held on May 31, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. The day aims to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and its negative health effects, which include cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, and many other health issues.

Each year, World No Tobacco Day focuses on a specific theme to address various aspects of tobacco control. These themes aim to educate the public, push for policy changes, and support tobacco users in quitting. Activities on this day often include public awareness campaigns, educational programs, policy advocacy, and support for quitting tobacco.

The initiative emphasizes the urgent need to implement measures such as banning tobacco advertising, promoting smoke-free environments, increasing tobacco taxes, and offering support for tobacco cessation to help reduce the global burden of tobacco-related diseases and deaths​ 

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day/2024  

Publication: Hooking the next generation: how the tobacco industry captures young customers 

https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/376853/9789240094642-eng.pdf?sequence=1