Different pasts, shared future
Teaching Ideas for
Refugee Week 2017
19th – 25th June
A collection of inspiring resources for KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5
A collection of inspiring resources for KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5
Different pasts, shared future
Celebrate Refugee Week 2017 in your school by selecting activities from this
collection of inspiring resources to share with colleagues. Whichever
resources you choose, they can all be easily adapted to focus on this year’s
theme: Different pasts, shared future
On the following pages, you’ll find suggestions and ideas:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
for writing poems
for reading
for discussion and exploration
for creating pieces of art
for drama activities
for assemblies
for organising fund-raising activities
Different pasts, shared future
Different pasts, shared future
Different pasts, shared future
Suggestions and ideas for writing poems, for
reading, for discussion, for drama, for art and
many other things!
A collection of inspiring resources for KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5
“Dr Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah was born and raised in
Birmingham, England. He cannot remember a time when he
was not creating poetry but this had nothing to do with school
where poetry meant very little to him, in fact he had finished
full time education at the age of 13. His poetry is strongly
influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica and what he
calls ‘street politics’. His first real public performance was in
church when he was 10 years old, by the time he was 15 he
had developed a strong following in his home town of
Handsworth where he had gained a reputation as a young
poet who was capable of speaking on local and international
issues.” http://benjaminzephaniah.com
http://benjaminzephaniah.com/rhymin/we-refugees/
https://vimeo.com/150889743 (a short video showing what
can be done with Zephaniah’s poem, We Refugees); KS2,
KS3, KS4 and KS5
Different pasts, shared future
Although written in 2001, this story still carries a relevant and poignant
message. A KS3 ‘must read’ focusing on Alem’s future here in the UK!
Alem is on holiday with his father for a few days in London. He has never
been out of Ethiopia before and is very excited. They have a great few days
together until one morning when Alem wakes up in the bed and breakfast
they are staying at to find the unthinkable. His father has left him. It is only
when the owner of the bed and breakfast hands him a letter that Alem is
given an explanation. Alem's father admits that because of the political
problems in Ethiopia both he and Alem's mother felt Alem would be safer in
London - even though it is breaking their hearts to do this. Alem is now on his
own, in the hands of the social services and the Refugee Council. He lives
from letter to letter, waiting to hear from his father, and in particular about
his mother, who has now gone missing...
See more at: http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/refugee-boy-9781408825402/#sthash.uNlVTBt3.dpuf
https://www.teachers.org.uk/files/refugee-boy.pdf This is a fantastic Year 8 SoW!
http://www.wyp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/refugee_boy_resource_pack.pdf This resource
has absolutely everything you need for a cross curricular approach to exploring the impact of loss of
identity and making a new life in an unfamiliar and often hostile place.
Different pasts, shared future
http://thelinkingnetwork.org.uk/resource/silence-seeker-exploring-words-choose/
http://www.tamarindbooks.co.uk/activitysheets/TAMARIND_ACTVTY_3.pdf
“When a new family moves in next door, Joe’s mum explains
that they are “asylum seekers”. Joe hears that they are
“silence seekers”, especially as Mum adds that they need
peace and quiet. When he sees a young boy from the family
sitting disconsolately on the steps, Joe decides to help him
find a quiet place in the noisy and chaotic city.”
“This is a thoughtful story for ages 5-7, with vivid
illustrations. It is likely to provoke lots of discussions and
questions, not just about issues of immigration and
asylum, but about friendship, homelessness and city life
in general. The publishers, Tamarind, have provided an
activity sheet as a helpful starter, but teachers are sure to
find many more ways to link this book to aspects of
Citizenship and PSHE.” https://globaldimension.org.uk/resource/the-silence-seeker/
Different pasts, shared future
This superbly illustrated collection of thoughtprovoking books, suitable for KS2 and KS3, from
the BAFTA award-winning Seeking Refuge stories,
started out as animations for the BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01k7c4q
Each animation runs for about 5 minutes.
The books vividly illustrate real-life stories of young
people’s journeys, told in their own words.
There is one set of these books available for
schools to use. Please let us know if you’d like to
borrow them.
Different pasts, shared future
http://www.playingbythebook.net/2013/06/17/refugee-week-azzi-in-between-by-sarah-garland/
Books for KS1 and KS2
Books for borrowing – one copy of each of
these books is available for borrowing.
Please let us know if you are interested.
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/exploring_the_journey_together.pdf
https://www.clpe.org.uk/sites/default/files/CLPE%20Teaching%20Sequence%20for
%20The%20Journey.pdf
http://classroom.walkerbooks.com.au/home/wpcontent/uploads/2016/06/Journey-Classroom-Ideas.pdf
Different pasts, shared future
“The Children in Our World picture book series helps children make sense of the
larger issues and crises that dominate the news in a sensitive and appropriate
manner. With relatable comparisons, carefully researched text and striking
illustrations, children can begin to understand who refugees and migrants are,
why they've left their homes, where they live and what readers can do to help
those in need.
“Where issues aren't appropriate to describe in words, Hanane Kai's striking and
sensitive illustrations help children visualise who refugees and migrants are, in
images that are suited to their age and disposition.
“The series forms an excellent cross-curricular resource that looks at refugees,
war, poverty and racism making them ideal for tying into Refugee Week and
discussions on current affairs.” KS1 and KS2
Review from:
https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781526300201
Different pasts, shared future
“A highly topical look at the current refugee crisis, encouraging readers to think
for themselves about the issues involved.
“What does it mean for people to have to leave their homes, and what happens
when they seek entry to another country? This book explores the history of
refugees and migration around the world and the effects on people of neverending war and conflict. It compares the effects on society of diversity and
interculturalism with historical attempts to create a racially 'pure' culture. It
takes an international perspective, and offers a range of views from people who
have personal experience of migration, including the campaigners Meltem Avcil
and Muzoon Almellehan, the comedian and actor Omid Djalili and the poet
Benjamin Zephaniah.
“Aimed at young people aged 10 and upwards, the book encourages readers to
think for themselves about the issues involved. There is also a role-play activity
asking readers to imagine themselves in the situation of having to decide
whether to leave their homes and seek refuge in a new country.
“Part of the groundbreaking and important 'And Other Big Questions' series,
which offers balanced and considered views on the big issues we face in the
world we live in today.” KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5
Review from: https://www.hachette.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9780750299855
Different pasts, shared future
http://www.elizabethlaird.co.uk/new-page/
follows the lives of twelve year old Omar and his brother and sisters. Omar
doesn't care about politics. He wants to be a successful businessman who will take
the world by storm. His clever older brother Musa, on the other hand, is desperate
to play his part in freeing Syria from oppression.
When the bombs start to fall, Omar and his family have to flee with only what they
can carry. As the shadow of war follows them, they have no other choice but to
make the dangerous journey to escape their homeland altogether.
Summary from and read more at: http://www.elizabethlaird.co.uk
Take a look at this review: http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Welcome_to_Nowhere_by_Elizabeth_Laird
If you’ve chosen
to read at your school, we’d love to hear
from you and hope you’ll share:
• why you’ve chosen to read it;
• with which class(es) you’ve chosen to read it;
• how you’ve used the book with your class(es).
Different pasts, shared future
Kindertransport is a play by Diane Samuels, which examines the life, during World War II and afterwards, of a
Kindertransport child. Though fictitious, it is based upon many real kindertransport stories. The play is
published by Nick Hern Books.
In November 1938, after nights of violence against Jews across Germany and Austria, the British government
introduced a programme called the Kindertransport (children’s transport), which gave Jewish children—and
only children—safe passage to the UK. Spared the horrors of the death camps, the Jewish “Kinder” were
uprooted, separated from their parents and transported to a different culture where they faced, not the
unmitigated horror of the death camps, but a very human mixture of kindness, indifference, occasional
exploitation, and the selflessness of ordinary people faced with needy children. Eva Schlesinger, daughter of
Helga and Werner, is sent away to live with a foster carer in Manchester, England, temporarily until her
parents find work and move to England too.
Extract from: Wikipedia
http://www.sharedexperience.org.uk/media/education/kindertransport_edpack.pdf
KS4 and KS5
Different pasts, shared future
Poetry, art, drama, dance, discussion … for KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5
This is a truly inspirational project developed around a simple but poignant collection of personal
artefacts that have belonged to people who have fled their homes. This collection engages us all in
reflecting on our own personal objects which have significance in our lives and provides an
opportunity for expressing empathy and channelling responses about our futures.
http://www.thethingsweleavebehind.co.uk/
“The things we leave behind is a research-based project. It uses objects left
behind by those who are seeking a better life and/or have to move to survive. The
objects were left behind on the Greek island of Lesvos and at a transition centre in
Serbia.
http://www.thethingsweleavebehind.co.uk/about/4592756516 (short film)
They have been “borrowed” by people living in London (see Participants), used to
start conversations with young people (see Students), in installations (see m2) and
as part of performances (see Unpacked). A limited edition zine has been produced
with images and writing which has emerged from the project. (Sales of the zine are
donated to the Dirty Girls of Lesvos Island who collect, clean and redistribute
abandoned clothes and blankets.)
The two lead artists are Teresa Albor and Lais Pontes.”
http://refugeeweek.org.uk/events/things-leave-behind/
Different pasts, shared future
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/animation
These three short animations (each about 3 minutes) tell young people’s stories; they are more appropriate for
KS4 and KS5 and are vividly presented with amazing graphics representing their difficult and harrowing
experiences.
https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/update
For Humanities or English, at KS3, KS4 and KS5; some of the non-fiction articles from Update magazine
could be a fresh way of introducing your students to media presentations of different perspectives of
refugees’ experiences. Compare some of these articles to some found in the popular press! That would
make engaging and challenging discussion.
Different pasts, shared future
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF1HGfg2bSo
For KS1 and KS2, Carly’s Story is a 7-minute animation telling a touching tale of identity and belonging, the impact of
prejudice and suspicion, and the relief of finding friendship.
Plenty in this to focus on welcoming others whose pasts are different but whose future is the same as others’.
https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/02/Simple-Acts-Refugee-Week-History-andHeritage-Quiz.pdf
It would be good to try and find a PowerPoint of this quiz; it’s a great way to engage students (and staff) and the
likelihood of getting the wrong answers is pretty high! Nicely challenges prejudices and is a good start to a more
serious approach to exploring stats, news coverage and individual stories. For KS3, KS4, KS5.
http://www.risc.org.uk/files/refugee_assembly.pdf
An invaluable resource! There is plenty here for a whole series of KS2, KS3 and KS4
assemblies - and a brilliant range of creative follow-up activities.
http://www.riskythings.co.uk/work-sectors/refugees/
A short film for KS4 and KS5, “Seeking Asylum is a 4 minute, non-narrative film short presenting
a refugee’s perspective using poetry by Samra Mayanja and music by Robert Drane, conceived by
Kenric Yuen. It makes a plea for borders to be open and asylum to be granted in the UK today.”
Different pasts, shared future
http://refugeeweek.org.uk/resources/facts-figures-and-contributions/
(no stimulating visuals but very useful information; KS3, KS4, KS5)
http://www.unhcr.org/uk/asylum-in-the-uk.html
(up-to-date facts and figures about asylum seekers in the UK; KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5)
http://www.unhcr.org/uk/a-great-british-welcome.html
(positive news stories focusing on shared future; worth selecting a few to use for a balanced perspective about refugees in the
UK; KS3, KS4, KS5)
http://refugeeweek.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/HistoryofContributions.pdf
(great resource for making a timeline about who and when; KS2, KS3, KS4)
http://refugeeweek.org.uk/events/
(this events calendar will give you an idea of what’s happening around the country)
http://refugeeweek.org.uk/resources/education-resources/
(a vast and wonderful collection of links to videos, websites, books, projects for KS1  KS5)
http://refugeeweek.org.uk/resources/education-resources/educational-videos/
(lots of short videos to choose from here; even though it was made for Refugee Week 2016, the
3-minute film, I Am Just Like You is good to get KS3 and KS4 students thinking away from stereotypes
and about this year’s theme, Different Pasts, Shared Future)
https://padlet.com/jon_biddle/p3i2el3kmxe
(t
(this link features a collection of books most of them fiction and most with links to teaching resources
– relevant for KS2 but some can be used for KS1 and some for KS3 – really worth taking a look)
Different pasts, shared future
Recommendations from
https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/resources/
(another vast and inspiring collection of resources; really spoiled for choice! KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01k7c4q
(one of the links from the collection above – short 4 minute animations – real stories narrated by the young people
themselves; KS2 and KS3)
https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/02/ORC_Factsheet_Mar2016.pdf
(closely focused on Syria; a visually interesting collection of stats and facts; some of the photos are valuable resources in
themselves; KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5)
http://www.riskythings.co.uk/work-sectors/refugees/ (Blue Moment devised with the Refugee Therapy Centre in London,
and in consultation with Refugee Action in York and Solace in Leeds, is definitely for KS4 and KS5 students. In 45 minutes,
“this film of resilience and solidarity uncovers the mystery of a young woman from Africa who has arrived in Britain
after being persecuted in her own country. Alongside her story are the perspectives of the therapist who helps her
overcome her torture-trauma, and a local bus-driver who supports her while she is vulnerable to suspicion and abuse,
as she moves through the challenging asylum process, accused of terrorism.”)
http://projectpaddington.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/From-Scared-To-Safe-resource-pack.pdf
(this pack has many links to other projects and resources as well as a great collection of ideas for
Different pasts, shared future
KS1 and KS2)
http://cdn.worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/2016/07/Children-on-the-move-.pdf
A brilliant resource easily adaptable for KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5.
Different pasts, shared future
Different pasts, shared future
Suggestions and ideas for
organising fund-raising
activities
A collection of inspiring resources for KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5
https://www.thegivingmachine.co.uk/fundraisingideas/?gclid=CjwKEAjwxurIBRDnt7P7rODiq0USJADwjt5Dyfz4axz5lR7AY
NY1bh3CG6HcLrEhucr7M8_14cEJ3BoCfbjw_wcB
Amongst the suggestions on this interactive site, there are some
activities that are thoughtful and sensitive – but beware, there are a lot
of activities that aren’t!
http://www.better-fundraising-ideas.com/charity-fundraisingideas.html
Another site to browse with discretion!
https://articles.salsalabs.com/fundraising-event-ideas/
An interesting US site which is worth browsing for some ideas.
If you’re planning an activity, please share your idea with others.
Different pasts, shared future
Keep up to date with the latest news about resources, events and
actions leading up to and during Refugee Week:
http://refugeeweek.org.uk/refugee-week-2017/
Different pasts, shared future