Topical Teaching Resources for November

Broadening students’ horizons. Providing context for learning. Exploring the differences between fact and opinion… These are just a few of the great reasons to use topical teaching resources in your lessons. Using topical teaching resources is an excellent way of keeping young people connected with the world around them. Special events provide the perfect springboard for thoughtful discussion and can foster a deeper appreciation for why learning is so important.

Explore our handpicked teaching resources below to boost your students’ skills in critical thinking, emotional engagement and ethical reflection with powerful curriculum links:

Topical Teaching in November:

3rd – National Stress Awareness Day

Use this day as an opportunity to promote honest discussion with staff and students on their mental health. There are plenty of useful tools and resources covered here. The stress bucket activity, in particular, would be an excellent discussion point and activity for students to engage with. It enables people to reflect on the causes and possible solutions for stress levels

4th – Diwali

Diwali is an important Hindu festival of light. Connected to the story of Rama and Sita, it’s a story of good triumphing over evil; light over dark. Diwali is a festival that is celebrated in several practical and colourful ways which makes it fantastic for the classroom. Check out these fun ways to celebrate Diwali in the classroom. This dance workshop activity is a fantastic way of blending multiple areas of the P.E. curriculum.

5th – Guy Fawkes’ Day

Many bonfire and firework celebrations are likely to be dampened slightly this year due to Covid-19, however, the story behind this historic day can still be marked in school. The BBC have a wealth of videos and free resources available.

11th – Veteran’s Day & Remembrance Day

The Royal British Legion have provided fantastic free teaching resources from Key Stage 1 – 6. They explain the importance of marking this day, and look at the lessons learnt from history. Resources come in the form of assembly outlines as well as PSHE and History lesson activities.

13th – World Kindness Day

There are some excellent ideas and free resources for celebrating world kindness day in schools provided by the school of kindness. We particularly like the idea of setting a ‘kindness challenge’ which could involve some of the ideas from this kindness bingo game. Discussion around the benefits of being kind to help others (and the added benefit of feeling better about oneself) should be covered.

14th-19th – Anti-bullying Week

With a worrying rise in levels of bullying in schools reported during COVID-19, this week is more crucial than ever to promote positive relationships among our students. Young minds have some brilliant resources aimed at students. Also, check out our full post on anti-bullying week coming soon. Below are some free helplines that could be helpful for young people:

• Childline: 0800 11 11
• Young Minds Text line: Text YM to 85258
• The Mix Under 25 counselling service 0808 808 4994.

16th – International Day for Tolerance

UNESCO describe the core aims of tolerance day as ‘countering influences that lead to fear and exclusion of others, and [helping] young people develop capacities for independent judgement, critical thinking and ethical reasoning.’ UNESCO have a wealth of free resources here on how to counter intolerance. Alternatively, there are some more primary friendly activities here with Teacher Planet.

16th-22nd – Road Safety Week

Brake, the road safety charity, are the go-to pit stop for road safety week teaching resources. You can sign up for a free action pack that is filled with ideas for celebrating road safety week and raising awareness among your students.

24th – Unique Talent Day

Could it be talent contest time? A chance to use an assembly or tutor time to celebrate the skills and talents that don’t usually get a chance to shine in normal lessons. There is lots of information on the history of the day here, including some notable people with unique talents.

28th – Hanukkah

The Jewish festival of light. During Hanukkah, the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem is celebrated. There are teaching resources for marking Hanukkah in the classroom for primary level here and secondary here.

Thanks for reading this month’s post, we hope you find these topical teaching resources helpful. We welcome you to get in touch with us via our social media feeds with sharing any ideas of your own.

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