In collaboration with
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COMMONWEALTH CLASS INTRODUCTION & LESSON PLAN 1
COMMONWEALTH CLASS INTRODUCTION & LESSON PLAN 1
Learn More About The Commonwealth
LESSON 1
Classroom resources
Learning outcomes To become more familiar with the flags and symbols
Age range: 7–14 years
from Commonwealth countries, and develop knowledge and understanding
of the member states, including similarities and differences.
Introduction
It’s Commonwealth Day on 14th
March, 2016, and this year’s theme
is ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’.
These teaching resources aim to encourage
schools around the world to celebrate the
Commonwealth and its inclusive values
and principles that unite the 53 member
states. The lessons explore the social and
cultural similarities and differences between
different countries through their flags and
children’s letters, and how the Commonwealth
countries are united through their Charter.
There are four lesson plans in total
but they can be easily adapted
to suit the time you have.
Why not involve the whole school in
celebrating Commonwealth Day 2016?
Wear the colours from the Commonwealth
flags for a mufti day and raise money for the
charities, campaigns and projects, which
help Commonwealth countries. Find out
more at www.flyaflagforthecommonwealth.
co.uk. Have an assembly, which could include
the ‘Guess Who?’ game, from Lesson 2,
and a presentation from pupils, taken from
their work about the Commonwealth.
Contact [email protected] and share
your stories and photos for posting on the
Commonwealth website. Tag your posts on
social media, including Facebook and Twitter
with the hashtag #InclusiveCommonwealth.
Resources Posters and other materials are
available to order from the Commonwealth
Secretariat from the beginning of
February 2016. Please email Cathy
Price at [email protected].
Explain that it’s Commonwealth Day on
14th March, 2016, and this year’s theme
is ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’.
You can also use the flag poster, in
Appendix B to help pupils match
the flags with the countries.
Read out this quote from Commonwealth
Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma:
Discuss the following:
“An Inclusive Commonwealth refers to
the values of tolerance, respect and
understanding, as well as equity and fairness,
set out in the Commonwealth Charter, and
the richness of the Commonwealth as a family
of nations in which each member state is
valued equally and has an equal voice.”
“In changing times, the need for the
Commonwealth to act as an inclusive
network for mutual support, development
and growth of opportunity and rights
for all is as great as ever.”
Ask the pupils what they think his statement
about an ‘Inclusive Commonwealth’
means. Summarise by saying that all
the countries in the Commonwealth are
independent and equal nations but each
member state is equal (regardless of size
or wealth) – and has an equal say. This
is what the word ‘inclusive’ means.
•
What Commonwealth countries do
pupils recognise – and why?
•
What flags do they recognise?
•
What colours do many of the
flags have in common?
Hand out the flag cards, in Appendix C. Explain
that, as there are 53 countries, pupils may get
more than one card. Explain that these cards
tell you about the meanings in the flags. For
example, the colour blue can symbolise water.
What do they think green might represent?
Now say that you have a flag activity for
everyone to take part in. The aim for the pupils
is to interact with other pupils and the flag
cards to find out the answers to the questions.
Hand out copies of the table, in Appendix D.
Do pupils know how many countries are part
of this ‘Inclusive Commonwealth’? Answer: 53.
Explain that every country in the
Commonwealth has its own flag as a national
symbol. Show your pupils the A3 poster of the
Commonwealth countries, in Appendix A.
2
3
COMMONWEALTH CLASS INTRODUCTION & LESSON PLAN 1
Discuss the meanings of the colours used in
the flags. What did flags have in common?
Talk about how countries can decide
to change their flag. Go over the story,
in the January Commonwealth Class
Newsletter, in Appendix E, about the
proposal for a new flag for New Zealand.
Show the class both flags and talk about
their designs and meanings. The current
New Zealand flag includes blue for the
sea and sky. The stars represent the
Southern Cross constellation in the sky
– New Zealand’s location in the South
Pacific Ocean. The Union Jack flag is for
New Zealand’s past as a British colony.
In collaboration with
FirstNews
The award winning weekly newspaper for young people
Special Edition, News from the Commonwealth
Issue 01 - January 2016
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!
H
ow about this
for New Year’s
celebrations? It’s the
Junkanoo street parade in
Nassau, the capital city of
the Bahamas.
Groups taking part in
the Junkanoo compete in
different categories. ‘The
Valley Boys’ (left) won top
spot with their spectacular
‘Birds of a Feather March
Together’ theme.
The proposed alternative design is in the
middle of the selection in the photo.
Photo: Torrell Glinton/The Nassau Guardian
A New Flag For
New Zealand?
From the choice of five (right), New
Zealanders have chosen a design for
a possible new national flag.
It’s the flag in the middle of the
selection, and has a silver fern on a
black and blue background, next to
the Southern Cross stars.
It will go up against the current flag,
which includes Britain’s Union Jack, in
a final vote in March of this year.
The citizens of New Zealand will be
voting in March 2016, on whether to
keep their existing flag or opt for the new
design, called the Silver Fern flag.
The blue represents the skies and Pacific
Ocean, The colours of the Southern Cross link
to the Union Jack. The silver fern is a symbol
of New Zealand and its fronds are the diverse
communities coming together. The black is also
a national colour and is linked to the country’s
achievements, e.g. the All Blacks’ rugby team.
Discover more about the debate at:
https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-withgovernment/the-nz-flag-your-chance-todecide/our-nation-your-choice/
What do the pupils think about changing
the flag? Why not have a class vote?
4
Appendix A.
1 Antigua & Barbuda
COMMONWEALTH CLASS INTRODUCTION & LESSON PLAN 1
2 Australia
3 The Bahamas
4 Bangladesh
5 Barbados
6 Belize
7 Botswana
8 Brunei Darussalam
9 Cameroon
10 Canada
11 Cyprus
12 Dominica
13 Fiji
14 Ghana
15 Grenada
The Commonwealth
53 Zambia
16 Guyana
17 India
52 Vanuatu
18 Jamaica
51 United Republic of
19 Kenya
Tanzania
10
50
20 Kiribati
50 United Kingdom
25
11
32
4
3
49 Uganda
6
35 1
5
18
47
12
15
37
36
40
16
20
21 Lesotho
17
14
31
9
49
48 Tuvalu
24
19
34
51
45
23
8
41
22 Malawi
29
39
33
42
22
48
53
47 Trinidad and Tobago
27
7
28
52
26
46
24 Maldives
30
The Commonwealth is a group of 53 countries that work together to
help each other with democracy, human rights and development.
45 Swaziland
In collaboration with
23 Malaysia
21
46 Tonga
44 Sri Lanka
38
2
44
43
13
25 Malta
It is home to two billion people of different faiths and backgrounds – over half of whom are 25 or under.
Each member nation is considered equal regardless of size or wealth.
26 Mauritius
Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the Commonwealth.
27 Mozambique
43 South Africa
5
42 Solomon Islands
41 Singapore
40 Sierra Leone
39 Seychelles
38 Samoa
37 St Vincent and The
Grenadines
36 St Lucia
35 St Kitts and Nevis
34 Rwanda
33 Papua New Guinea
32 Pakistan
31 Nigeria
30 New Zealand
29 Nauru
28 Namibia
6
Appendix B.
Appendix C.
AFRICA
Commonwealth Flags
Antigua &
Barbuda
Australia
Brunei
Darussalam
Cameroon
Canada
Cyprus
Dominica
Fiji
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
India
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
New Zealand
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New
Guinea
Rwanda
St Kitts
and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and
The Grenadines
Samoa
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon
Islands
Sri Lanka
Swaziland
United
Kingdom
United
Republic of
Tanzania
www.commonwealth.org
Vanuatu
Tonga
Zambia
Trinidad and
Tobago
Tuvalu
1. Botswana
2. Cameroon
3. Ghana
The blue symbolises water that is so
vital to farmers in Botswana. The black
horizontal stripe in the middle of the
flag represents the racial harmony
of the country’s people. The zebra
is the national animal of Botswana
and is also the inspiration for the
black and white used on the flag.
The red symbolises unity and the
star is the ‘the star of unity’. The
yellow stands for the sun, and
also the savannas in the northern
part of the country, while the
green is for the forests in the
southern part of Cameroon.
The red symbolises the blood which
was shed for independence. The
yellow represents the country’s
mineral wealth, while the green stands
for its forests and natural wealth. The
black star is said to be the lodestar
(guiding star) of African freedom.
Botswana
Nauru
South Africa
7
The Bahamas
AFRICA
AFRICA
AFRICA
AFRICA
AFRICA
4. Kenya
5. Lesotho
6. Malawi
The red represents the struggle for
freedom. Black is for the people
of Kenya. Green represents the
country’s fertile landscape and
its wealth. The white is for peace
and unity. The Maasai warrior’s
shield and two crossed spears
symbolise the defence of freedom.
The blue stands for rain and water,
the green symbolises prosperity,
and the white represents peace.
The Mokorotlo (a traditional
straw hat) in the centre of the flag
symbolises the Basotho people.
A rising sun represents the hope of
freedom for the continent of Africa.
The colour black represents the native
people, red is for the bloodshed
in the struggle for freedom, and
green is the colour of nature.
AFRICA
AFRICA
AFRICA
Uganda
7. Mauritius
8. Mozambique
9. Nambia
The red represents the bloodshed
at the time of slavery, as well as
colonisation and the struggle for
freedom and independence. The
blue is for the Indian Ocean (where
Mauritus is located). The yellow is
for the sun and the bright future
for the country. Green represents
the fertility of the landscape.
The rifle is about defending the country
and the hoe is for the farming. The open
book stands for learning. The star is for
Mozambique’s political beliefs. The red
is for the struggle for independence,
the yellow for the country’s minerals,
the green is for the land, the black is
for Africa, and the white is for peace.
The red symbolises the bravery of
the people and their wish to build
an equal future for all. The white
is for peace and unity. The blue
signifies the sky and the Atlantic
Ocean, water and rain. The green
is for the land and agriculture, and
the sun represents life and power.
8
Appendix C.
Appendix C.
AFRICA
AFRICA
ASIA
ASIA
ASIA
10. Nigeria
11. Rwanda
12. Seychelles
19. Bangladesh
20. Brunei Darussalam
21. India
The white stripe represents peace
and unity, and also represents the
Niger River, which flows through
the country and gives Nigeria its
name. The green symbolises the
fertile farming land in the country.
The colour blue denotes happiness
and peace, yellow is for wealth (e.g.
from the country’s minerals), and
the green is for also for prosperity.
The sun symbolises unity.
The colour blue stands for the
sky and sea, the yellow is for the
sun giving light and life, the red is
for unity and love, the white is for
social justice and harmony, and
the green represents the land.
The red circle is for the sun, and
also for the blood of those who
died for the independence of
Bangladesh. The green represents
the country’s fertile land.
Yellow is the colour of royalty and
associated with the Sultan of Brunei,
the country’s ruler. The black and
white stripes represent Brunei’s two
chief ministers. The crest of Brunei
features an upward facing crescent,
the symbol of Islam, joined to a
parasol, the symbol of monarchy.
The orange, or saffron band, stands
for courage and sacrifice. The white
symbolises truth, peace and purity
and the green band is for prosperity
and life. The Ashok Chakra (wheel)
represents righteousness, progress
and eternity. The spokes of the wheel
represent the 24 hours of a day.
AFRICA
AFRICA
AFRICA
ASIA
ASIA
ASIA
13. Sierra Leone
14. South Africa
15. Swaziland
22. Malaysia
23. Maldives
24. Pakistan
The white stands for unity and justice,
the colour green denotes the land
and farming, and the blue is for the
sea and the harbour in Freetown.
The green and blue colours represent
South Africa’s natural beauty (nature
and the oceans), the yellow is for
the sun and the red is for the soil,
and the black and white colours
are for the country’s people.
The shield, spears, and staff
represent protection from the
country’s enemies, while the black
and white of the shield stand for
people of the country, the blue colour
stands for peace, the red is for past
struggles, and the yellow is for the
mineral resources of the country.
The 14 stripes represent the equal
status in the federation of Malaysia’s
13 member states and the country’s
government. The 14 points of the
star show their unity. The crescent
represents Islam, Malaysia’s official
religion. The colour blue is for the unity
of the Malaysian people and yellow is
the royal colour of the country’s rulers.
Red represents heroes who have
sacrificed their lives in defence of their
country. Green symbolises peace and
prosperity and the white crescent
stands for Islam, the national religion.
Green represents Islam (as it is
believed to be a favourite colour of the
Prophet Mohammad and his daughter,
Fatima). Green is also mentioned
several times in the Quran, in relation
to paradise. White represents the
minority religions. The crescent
symbolises progress and the star
represents light and knowledge.
AFRICA
AFRICA
16. Uganda
The black and red colours symbolise
the African people, as does the
crane (the country’s national bird).
The yellow is for sunshine and life.
9
AFRICA
17. United Republic
of Tanzania
The green symbolises agriculture and
the fertility of the land. The black is
for the people of Tanzania. The blue
represents the Indian Ocean which
is on Tanzania’s eastern coastline,
and the yellow colour denotes
the country’s mineral wealth.
ASIA
ASIA
AFRICA
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
18. Zambia
25. Singapore
26. Sri Lanka
27. Antigua and Barbuda
The colour black is for the people
of Zambia – as is the eagle. The
green is for agriculture, the colour
red represents Zambia’s struggle
for freedom, and the orange is for
the mineral wealth of Zambia.
Red symbolises universal brotherhood
and the equality of man. White
stands for everlasting purity and
virtue. The waxing crescent moon
represents a young nation on
the rise. The five stars stand for
Singapore’s ideals of democracy,
peace, progress, justice and equality.
The yellow stands for Buddhism,
the religion of the Sinhalese
majority in Sri Lanka. The orange
is for the Hindus and the green
is for the Muslims. Maroon is the
colour of the Sinhalese people.
The rising sun symbolises the
dawning of a new age for the country.
Black is for the African ancestry of
the people, blue means hope and
red represents the people. The
yellow, blue and white colours
stand for the sun, sea and sand.
The V shape represents victory.
10
Appendix C.
Appendix C.
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
28. The Bahamas
29. Barbados
30. Belize
37. St Kitts and Nevis
The blue symbolises the colour of the
sea around the islands. The yellow
stands for the golden beaches and
black represents the islands’ united
people. The triangle stands for the
determination of the Bahamian people.
Blue represents the sea and sky of
Barbados, while gold represents
the sand of the island’s beaches.
The symbol at the centre of the
flag represents the trident of the
ancient sea god, Neptune - the shaft
of the trident is broken, symbolising
Barbados’ break from Britain.
The white disc at the centre contains
the country’s national coat of arms
held by two men. The red and blue
colours on the flag are those of the
country’s two main political parties.
The green alludes to the country’s fertile
land, while the red remembers the fight for
freedom against slavery and colonialism.
The yellow stripes are the sunshine and
the black is for the people’s African origins.
The two stars symbolise Saint Christopher
and Nevis: the two islands that make up the
federation - as well as hope and liberty.
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
EUROPE
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
38. St Vincent and
The Grenadines
Gold is for the warmth, the bright
spirit of the people and the golden
sands, blue is for the sea and sky
and green, for agriculture and the
vitality of the Vincentian people.
The green diamonds represent the
islands – the gems of the Antilles.
EUROPE
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
39. Trinidad and Tobago
The red represents the land, the vitality
and courage of its people, and the sun.
The black represents the strength and
unity of the people, as well as the natural
wealth of the country. The colour white
represents the surrounding sea and the
purity and equality of all people under the
sun. Together, the colours represent earth,
water and fire, connecting the nation’s
people to the past, present and future.
EUROPE
31. Canada
32. Dominica
33. Grenada
40. Cyprus
41. Malta
42. United Kingdom
Red is a symbol of Canadian
sacrifice during the First and
Second World Wars. White is the
symbol of peace and tranquillity. The
maple leaf has been the national
emblem of Canada since 1860.
The parrot is the national bird emblem
for Dominica. The green field represents
the lush vegetation of the island. The
cross represents Christianity: the black
colour symbolises the native Indians,
the green denotes the fertile land, and
the white is for the pure water. The 10
stars stand for the country’s 10 regions
and the red disc means social justice.
Red is symbolic of courage, yellow
of wisdom and warmth, and green
of the land. The green triangle on
the left features a small nutmeg, the
most famous product of the island.
The copper-coloured island
represents Cyprus (the name Cyprus
comes from the Greek word for
copper). The two, green-crossed
olive branches symbolise the hope
for peace and reconciliation between
the Greek and Turkish communities.
The red and white are the colours
of the Knights of Saint John who
ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798. The
George Cross is in the corner of
the flag. in 1942, King George VI
of the United Kingdom awarded
the George Cross to the islanders
for their bravery in World War II.
The red cross on the top represents
the cross of Saint George, (the patron
saint of England). The diagonal
white cross on a blue ground is the
cross of Saint Andrew (for Scotland).
The diagonal red cross is the
cross of Saint Patrick (Ireland).
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
11
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
CARIBBEAN & AMERICAS
PACIFIC
PACIFIC
PACIFIC
34. Guyana
35. Jamaica
36. Saint Lucia
43. Australia
44. Fiji
45. Kiribati
Green represents the fertile land.
The white symbolises water and the
gold represents mineral wealth. The
black stands for the people, and the
red represents the enthusiasm (within
the arrowhead shape) that points to
a country ready to make progress.
Black depicts the strength and
creativity of the people, the gold is
for the natural wealth and beauty
of sunlight, and green represents
hope and agricultural resources.
The blue represents the Caribbean
Sea, and the triangles symbolise
the island’s famous Pitons the twin volcanic peaks.
The Union Jack acknowledges the
history of British settlement. Below it is
the white Commonwealth or Federation
star. It has seven points representing the
unity of the six states and the territories
of the Commonwealth of Australia. The
Southern Cross is also shown. This
constellation of five stars can be seen
only from the southern hemisphere and
is a reminder of Australia’s geography.
The Union Jack and St. George Cross
represent the close connection with
Britain. The blue is symbolic of the
Pacific Ocean. The dove is a symbol
of peace. The sugar cane, bananas
and coconut represent the fertile
land and its agricultural production.
The sun represents Kiribati’s geographic
location spread out across the Equator
for more than 4,000 km and for more than
two million sq kilometres of the Pacific
Ocean. The 17 rays of the sun stand for
the 16 islands and Banaba (formerly
Ocean Island). The frigate bird is symbolic
of authority, freedom and command of
sea. The three main waves stand for the
Gilbert, Phoenix and Line Island groups
which make up the nation of Kiribati.
12
Appendix C.
Appendix D.
PACIFIC
PACIFIC
PACIFIC
What country has...
Green in the flag?
Country: e.g. Malawi
The green is for: nature
46. Nauru
47. New Zealand
48. Papua New Guinea
The gold stripe represents the Equator.
The twelve-pointed white star signifies
the location of the island in the blue
waters of the Pacific Ocean, just south of
the Equator. The separation of the blue
flag into two equal parts recalls the story
that the first inhabitants were to have been
brought to Earth from two boulders. The
star represents the island and its twelve
points are the twelve original tribes.
The blue in the flag stands for the
sea and sky. The stars represent
the Southern Cross constellation
in the sky - New Zealand’s location
in the South Pacific Ocean. The
Union Jack flag represents New
Zealand’s past as a British colony.
Red and black are the traditional colours
used in native art work from Papua New
Guinea. The five stars represent the
Southern Cross, and the golden Bird
of Paradise is a national symbol.
Yellow/gold in the flag?
Country:
The yellow/gold stands for:
Red in the flag?
Country:
The red symbolises:
Blue in the flag?
Country:
The blue stands for:
PACIFIC
PACIFIC
Black in the flag?
PACIFIC
Country:
The black symbolises:
Stars on its flag?
Country:
49. Samoa
50. Solomon Islands
51. Tonga
The red represents courage. The
blue stands for freedom and the
white represents purity. The five
stars symbolise the constellation the
Southern Cross, Samoa’s geographical
location position and its link to
New Zealand, which also has the
Southern Cross on its national flag.
The five main island groups are
represented by the five stars. The
blue is supposed to represent the
surrounding ocean, while the green
represents the land. The yellow
is symbolic of the sunshine.
The red cross alludes to Christianity,
the religion practised by approximately
97% of the country’s population.
The white symbolises purity and
the red represents Christ’s blood.
They represent:
What country has...
Green in the flag?
Country: e.g. Malawi
The green is for: nature
Yellow/gold in the flag?
Country:
PACIFIC
The yellow/gold stands for:
PACIFIC
Red in the flag?
Country:
The red symbolises:
Blue in the flag?
13
52. Tuvalu
53. Vanuatu
The Union Jack represents the
country’s ties to Britain. The nine stars
represent the nine islands of Tuvalu
and reproduce their geographical
appearance of the islands on a map.
The black represents the Melanesian
people that make up the majority of
Vanuatu’s population. Red represents the
country’s unity through blood. Green is for
the land and its agriculture and yellow is
for the Christianity of the people, the light
it shines on them, and peace. The boar’s
tusk is a traditional Vanuatu symbol of
prosperity and is worn as a pendant by
islanders. The leaves represent for peace.
On a map, the islands of Vanuatu form a
Y-shape, like the Y shape on the flag.
Country:
The blue stands for:
Black in the flag?
Country:
The black symbolises:
Stars on its flag?
Country:
They represent:
14
Appendix E.
In collaboration with
FirstNews
The award winning weekly newspaper for young people
Special Edition, News from the Commonwealth
Issue 01 - January 2016
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!
H
ow about this
for New Year’s
celebrations? It’s the
Junkanoo street parade in
Nassau, the capital city of
the Bahamas.
Groups taking part in
the Junkanoo compete in
different categories. ‘The
Valley Boys’ (left) won top
spot with their spectacular
‘Birds of a Feather March
Together’ theme.
Photo: Torrell Glinton/The Nassau Guardian
A New Flag For
New Zealand?
From the choice of five (right), New
Zealanders have chosen a design for
a possible new national flag.
It’s the flag in the middle of the
selection, and has a silver fern on a
black and blue background, next to
the Southern Cross stars.
It will go up against the current flag,
which includes Britain’s Union Jack, in
a final vote in March of this year.
https://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/sites/so/files/commonwealth_class_
january_2016_newsletter_12022016_revised_version_final.pdf
15