ASTs and NEAD

In a bid to raise awareness of ‘Global Issues’ across the curriculum, three ASTs, Jean Kiekopf (English/Literacy) Joc Mack (Drama) and Alex Savage (ICT) have been working closely with NEAD to devise strategies and materials to be used in the classroom. These resources not only address issues such as Black History Month, Refugees and Fairtrade, but also help teachers meet subject specific criteria in key stage 3 and 4.  

My  experiences. 

Refugee Week July 2006

One of the most exciting projects I have worked on is a DVD of a press conference with my year 10 students and a refugee from the Congo, Gervais Kouloungou Mambs, ‘My Life is in my country…’  This resource has been designed to specifically raise awareness of the plight of refugees and to clarify some of the myths that surround asylum seekers, by using a first hand account of an asylum seeker who lives in Norwich. It culminates in KS4 students producing a magazine article to inform, explain, describe. The DVD was reproduced by NEAD and distributed at the English Leaders’ Conference in September 2006.

 Fairtrade Fortnight. (6-19 March 2006)In March I created resources for teaching and raising awareness about Fairtrade issues, for KS3 and GCSE classes in English. The KS4 scheme of work enables teachers to cover group and individual Speaking and Listening criteria and a written task to Analyse, Review, Comment on Fairtrade issues. In KS3 they analyse a Fairtrade leaflet and make their own leaflet for young people their age. NEAD website: http://www.fairtrade-in-norfolk.org.uk/teaching.html. 

Black History Month

In September/October 2005 I had the opportunity to produce and trial Year 9 resources for teaching poems by Caribbean poet Maggie Harris, for Norfolk Black History Month. It was an exciting project as my students were able to write directly to Maggie and ask her questions about her poems and personal background. She (very kindly) wrote a postcard back, to each student individually, answering their questions. We put up an impressive display at Framingham Earl High School and at the PDC showing off the approach used to unlock the poem ‘Warrior’ and the letters that students had written to Maggie. To view the lesson plans along with some of the photographs go to http://www.norfolkblackhistorymonth.org,.uk/ -Teaching and Learning Resources. -Free teaching materials. On this site you will also be able to access a Year 7 Research and Biography Project, produced by Joc Mack, (AST Framingham Earl High School) which I also trialled with my year 7 and put on display at the PDC. The year 7s loved this project as they discovered influential black people in British history. 

What else is happening?

 Global Voices
If your school is in or around Norwich you can request a visit from an international student from UEA.  We currently have students from Brazil, Germany, China, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Thailand and Tanzania. They will give a presentation on their country or their area of research.  This invaluable service is free.  All you have to do is visit the Global Voices website http://volunteers.uea.ac.uk/projects/globalvoices/profiles.php and send an email to Ed Paxton ated.paxton@uea.ac.uk <mailto:ated.paxton@uea.ac.uk>

Global MessageWould you like a free monthly newsletter on putting the global dimension into your subject?  If so email Alex on asavage@notredamehigh.norfolk.sch.uk 

Check us out!

The display of NEAD / AST project work is in the corridor on your left as you walk into the PDC. If you wish to download any of the teaching resources, log onto www.nead.org.uk I am also available to assist English subject teachers in the delivery of the lessons and can be contacted at jean.kiekopf@framinghamearl.net  

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