News

Score a goal against hunger

While your pupils get into World Cup fever, here are some fun footie activities that also help your students learn about the lives of children in Africa. Send a Cow has teamed up with Self Help Africa to bring you a pack for the summer term that includes lesson plans, an assembly, simple fundraising ideas, instructions on how to make African plastic bag footballs and much more. Find out more and order the free pack at www.selfhelpafrica.org/selfhelp/Main/worldcup.htm

Raising standards

Rob Ford is Assistant Headteacher 6th Form/ International Learning at Wootton Bassett School, Wiltshire, and also a member of GLEAN's Executive Committee. Here he selects three unlikely resources that have proved invaluable in raising standards at his school - www.britishcouncil.org/learning-world-may-2010-resources.htm

Global Partnerships for learning

Dr Fran Martin at the University of Exeter is conducting a three-year project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, into global partnerships between schools in the UK and southern countries, specifically the learning that takes place for teachers who participate in study visits.

She'd like to hear about your experiences. If you have something to share, please email fran.martin@exeter.ac.uk or visit the project website - education.exeter.ac.uk/projects.php?id=450

Embedding the Global Dimension

Sara Bennett, GLEAN's ITE/ NQTs Network Manager, gives three quick tips to help embed the global dimension in your school

1. Do a visual audit of your school - what does the visual impact of your school say about your intention to be a global learning community?

2. Include global learning in the staff CPD programme - particularly in your NQT induction programme. Invite me in to run an NQT global learning CPD session!

3. We all know that global learning starts with the local - reflect on your own classroom and the barriers and challenges to acheieving inclusivity, tolerance and respect. Make specific plans to build an inclusive classroom

Email Sara at sarabennett@glean.org.uk if you think she could help your school or training institution.

Help with South Africa link

I teach a class of 10-11 year olds in a small school in East Devon. This term we are learning about Africa (focussing on South Africa) looking at similarities and differences between our village and a village in South Africa. We will be following the World Cup along with the rest of the world and would love to link with a school in South Africa who would like to share our thoughts on the matches and also our opinions about our local area and exciting events coming up.

We would like to commit to at least one set of e-mails per week and could make an e-pal group of 30 children if appropriate. If anyone is keen on continuing the link we have an active 'international schools club' who would love to keep in e-mail/ postal contact with other children from around the world.

If anyone can help with advice or names of schools to contract please email me - clare@uplyme-mrsethelstons.devon.sch.uk

Global learning - what works?

DEA is conducting research to find out about what works to support global learning in schools, and what the barriers are. If you are a UK teacher or Local Authority advisor they would really like to hear your views. The online survey can be found at at www.surveymonkey.com/s/2XBXG5G

‘Paint our Globe’ Competition

This international competition is brought to you by The Ridings’ Federation of International Academies supported by The British Council.

Students aged 9-15 should paint or draw a picture of where they live and will be judged on their innovation, creativity and representation. Twelve winners will each receive an iPod and their artwork will be published on a British Council calendar available around the world.

To take part, full details are available from shelley.swift@trfa.org.uk

Sharing Stories

Somerset Kaleidoscope Project have launched The Global Ambassadors Programme.

It’s aim is to get local communities together to share their stories about their cultures. With a variety of languages and dialects spoken in Somerset, story sharing presents a safe and fun way to learn from each other about our history and culture.

African Gardens Competition

The charity Send a Cow have launched this competition for 2010.

The competition gets students growing their own vegetables using African-style techniques, which can help towards Eco-Schools and Sustainable school status and adds a global dimension to practical activities around growing plants and healthy living. Full details at www.sendacow.org.uk/africangardens