Key Stage 1 Lessons

Go-Givers has over 150 cross-curricular lessons to support the teaching of PSHE and Citizenship and develop children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) learning, including their understanding of fundamental British Values.

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Caring for Pets

This lesson starts with a simple story that helps children to explore what responsibilities come... with owning a pet. Children then go on to look at what happens when pets are not properly cared for and some of the charitable organisations that look after animals.

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Litter: The Picnic

In this lesson pupils will follow the story of the Go-Givers having a picnic.  Pupils...In this lesson pupils will follow the story of the Go-Givers having a picnic.  Pupils will think about the problems caused by littering and how they can take responsibility for cleaning their environment.

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Plastic Pollution

In this lesson Alba, Ahmeti and Callum take a trip to the seaside and find... there is a lot of litter washed up on the beach. They learn about how plastic pollution affects sealife and ask children to consider ways to prevent plastic ending up in the sea. Links: green Cross curricular links: literacy, science, geography Learning Activities: Sea Food activity Persuasive writing Saving a local river Poster designs

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Pollution: Expedition to Planet Blueball

This lesson explores the issues of pollution of our planet and sustainable power. It is... based around an animated story, involving the Go-Givers characters, in which creatures from a friendly planet are invited to help clean up Earth. Links: green    

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Protecting Local Habitats

In this lesson pupils will learn the meaning of the word habitat and have an... introduction to different habitats that can be found in the UK. Pupils will examine how living things are suited to their habitats and are thus at risk when habitat is lost. As a class they will take part in activities that are designed to introduce them to habitats in their local area before participating in social action that will support or renew habitats in their area. By the end of the lessons pupils will … understand the term habitat; identify habitats in the UK and animals which are suited to them; understand the effects of habitat loss; get involved in local habitat renewal.

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Resilience: Bouncing Back

A lesson to help children develop resilience and consider how to respond to challenges in... a positive way. The Go-Givers characters share their experiences of difficult situations and how they ‘bounced back’.   Cross-curricular links: literacy   Learning Activities: Discussing how we can think of our problems as lessons to learn from Making a list of effort statements Drawing cartoons to illustrate the difference between the optimist and the pessimist A physical activity to help children to reflect upon and change the direction of their thinking Completing sheet ‘Can We Fix it?’, listing problems and suggesting solutions Making a whole class poem reflecting your positive solution-focussed thinking! 

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Our Rules

A short lesson to help children understand what rules are and why we need them.... Learning activities: Imagining the perfect classroom Helpful or not?  Children are asked to explore a number of rules to see if they think they are helpful or not. What makes a great classmate? Deciding on the rules for your classroom and turning these into a poster

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Taking Responsibility

This lesson is based around the clever traditional poem about four children named Everybody, Somebody,... Anybody and Nobody. It introduces children to the idea of taking responsibility in the context of tidying up toys after they’ve been playing with them!    Cross-curricular links: literacy; drama   Learning Activities: Role play around making excuses. Role play cards included Discussing and writing the responsibilities they feel towards different groups (eg. themselves; their family; the whole country) Celebrating children’s acts of  kindness Making pledges on ‘Helping Hands’ coupons. Template included Read, discuss and illustrate the poem ‘Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody'.

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Africa

This lesson aims to challenge common ideas about Africa. The Go-Givers character Teefa takes children... on a tour of the continent to show the diversity of people, languages, housing and landscapes found there.  Cross-curricular links: geography Learning Activities: Children explore where their ideas about Africa come from, and look at the influence of the media Counting game of Oware, the national game of Ghana Group work using atlases to research counties in Africa "This resource is thought provoking and raises truly interesting issues. It provoked a fascinating debate in my all white classroom. It was my intention to help my year3/4 class realise that there is a lot more to Africa than poverty and wild animals. This power point does just that."   "Really thought provoking and dignified. Thanks for an un-patronising look at the amazing diversity and richness there is to the continent of Africa. Lots of excellent activities inspired by this presentation. Thanks very much."

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All About Me

This lesson is a vehicle to enable children to reflect on themselves, their lives so... far and their future goals. Suitable for Year 2 upwards.   Cross-curricular links: History   Learning Activities: Researching the meaning of children's names, what happened on their birth date and their family tree Selecting the six most important events in their life Completing the booklet 'All About Me', answering questions such as: What makes me laugh? What makes me angry? What I would do if I won the Lottery (for others) Creating a personal timeline

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Animals That Help Each Other

This lesson explores the importance of sharing and co-operation, using symbiotic examples from nature and... a musical exercise to illustrate how working together can help bring about better outcomes. Links: community, respect, equality   Cross-curricular links: science, music Learning Activities: Learning about the ways that different animals help each other to survive in the natural world Considering the meanings of conflict, cooperation and negotiation Creating their own animal (group activity) Creating their own piece of music; firstly when working  alone, secondly when listening and working as a team "Brilliant slideshow. A super introduction to the task set for group work. Thank you."  

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Anna's Monster Lies

In this story about honesty, as Anna tells more and more lies the monster (her conscience)... follows her around getting bigger and bigger. Cross-curricular links: Science, Literacy Learning Activities • Role play: a web of lies • A Chinese fable: The Empty Pot • A symbolic game: The Tower of Trust • When to use white lies • Experiments with seeds

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Bullying: I won't be made to feel bad

In this lesson the Go-Givers characters describe how they dealt with incidents of bullying, and... children have an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences. Links: bullying, respect, anti bullying, mental health   Cross-curricular links: literacy; drama   Learning Activities: Discussing the ways in which people are different from each other Bullying drama Forming a human chain of experiences and looking at the role of bystanders Making a kindness garden. Templates provided

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Caring for Our Community

In this lesson children are introduced to the words ‘philanthropist’ and ‘charity’ and think about... the role they play in helping to care for people. Which charities do the children think are most important, how can they help care for people in their community and why is this important?   Cross-curricular links: literacy   Learning Activities: Creating a ‘community web’ with wool to demonstrate how tight bonds bind communities together Categorising everyday items as ‘essential’ or ‘desirable’ to explore wants and needs Creating a philanthropist super-hero! Surveying members of the community

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Chicken Soup

This lesson is based around a traditional story adapted from Jewish folk-lore about the value... of sharing and nature of generosity. Links: community, family   Cross-curricular links: literacy, science (healthy eating)   Learning  Activities: Investigating the traditional chicken soup recipe. Why might this be considered healthy? Completing sheet ‘Are You a Healthy Eater?’  Homework: children bring in one healthy recipe from home (template provided) Make a class collection of healthy eating recipes

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Christmas with the Go-Givers

This lesson is based around a story, involving the Go-Givers characters, that explores the nature... of giving. When everyone decides to give Callum a present for Christmas, they get an unexpected surprise!  The story shows the value of humour in achieving perspective, and how thoughtful gifts can be better than expensive ones. Links: community, family   Cross-curricular links: literacy, maths    Learning  Activities:  Discussing our most valuable non-material gifts. Children make a Wish/Prayer Tree Discussing what makes us laugh Writing a story in which an unfortunate circumstance is turned into a funny situation Writing a Christmas gift list Calculating costs and talking about how to make savings

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Disability: Stairs

This lesson uses an animated story, involving the Go-Givers character Pete, to explore the needs... of people in wheelchairs, and show how determination can overcome difficulties. Links: equality   Cross-curricular links: science    Learning Activities: Surveying the school site to identify any areas which are inaccessible to wheelchair users. Marking down the changes you would make. Discussing the achievements of Tanni Grey Thompson. Information included.  Experimenting with pulleys

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Essential, Desirable, Non-essential

NB// This lesson is based around an interactive tool available in Nifty Gear that can be accessed with... an individual or school subscription.    An exercise to encourage children to prioritise what is really important and think about how some children across the world do not have the things we consider to be essential.   Learning Activities: Answering questions about needs and wants, and the needs of all children around the world Using the drag and drop interactive whiteboard tool in Nifty Gear to categorise different items as either essential, desirable or non-essential and discussing reasons for the choices made.  

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Exploring Our Community

In this lesson children are asked to consider who lives in their community and what... the important places are. What do they like best about where they live and what would they like to change?   Cross-curricular links: literacy   Learning Activities: Completing ‘My Communities’ sheet, considering the concentric circles that make up your community. Drawing a map of your community. Comparing different visualisations of the local area. Writing stories inspired by Michael Rosen’s ‘Bear Hunt’. The children stumble across a ‘community gem’. Community treasure hunt. Template included. 

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Family Break-Up: Mum Doesn't Live Here Any More

This lesson is designed to help children cope with family break up. It is delivered... in a cartoon format using Go-Giver character Callum’s personal experience to explain what can happen when mums and dads don’t get along anymore.    Cross curricular links: Literacy, Drama, History (timeline)   Learning Activities Discussion: Different types of families and the changes that can occur in families Folding activity to show the value of good communication Puppet show script Timeline to show family changes Discussion: Different techniques for managing anger.

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Family Relationships: It's a Dog's Life

This lesson is based around a story involving the Go-Givers character Jun who is trying... to find a quiet place to do her homework. The story highlights the difficulties of getting privacy and space within a busy family setting, and helps children explore family relationships.   Cross-curricular links: spoken language, writing composition   Learning Activities: Writing about special places created to play in, and using this as the beginning of an imaginative adventure story Hot seating to empathise with different characters in the story

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Fear of Failure: I'm no good at that!

Digby helps Mitali overcome his fear of failure by encouraging him to take small steps... towards his goal - swimming with the Go-Givers. Links: community Learning Activities: Positive self-talk  How to overcome panic  How to show compassion  Taking small steps towards your goal.

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Foster Families

This lesson presents  Zoe, the most recent character addition to the Go-Givers team. The lesson... also introduces the concepts of fostering and adoption. Links: family, respect Cross-curricular links: Literacy Learning Activities: ‘Ask Zoe’ hot seating activity Show and Tell: Our families Getting to know you: familiarisation activities.

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Generosity: To Give is to Receive

This lesson considers the value of money, the importance of generosity and sharing with others.... The lesson is based around a Japanese folk tale, in which a small act of generosity is eventually rewarded with big gains. Links: community Cross-curricular links: maths (money) and financial awareness Learning Activities Discussing whether generosity deserves to be rewarded Discussing what the children would do with a lottery win: considering their needs, wants and wishes Considering the value of money Discussing the 3 S’s: spending, sharing and saving.  Recording ideas of how to be generous to others without spending any money   

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Go Givers Park

This lesson involves creating a park with areas and activities for the Go-Givers characters, and... their families, to enjoy. The PowerPoint gives some facts about each character’s family, their likes and dislikes and other information. The children then put themselves into each character’s shoes to think about their different needs. Links: community   Cross-curricular links: geography   Learning Activities: Designing the park considering which equipment or activities should go where and which characters would benefit Peer evaluation of park designs

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Go Givers Playground

This lesson involves creating a playground with areas and activities for the Go-Givers characters, and... their families, to enjoy. The PowerPoint gives some facts about each character’s family, their likes and dislikes and other information. The children then put themselves into each character’s shoes to think about their different needs. Links: community   Cross-curricular links: geography   Learning Activities: •    Designing the playground considering the overall shape and layout, which equipment or games should go where, and which characters would benefit •    Peer evaluation of playground designs

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Go-Givers Bear Hunt

This charming animated story featuring Rio, our partially sighted character, is adapted from Michael Rosen’s... ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’. There are two versions of the PowerPoint for this lesson. The top PPT incorporates a narration that includes a description of everything on the slide so it will take longer than usual to download. The backgrounds on the slides have been kept to a minimum to make them less confusing for partially sighted pupils. The lesson was developed in partnership with RNIB.   Cross-curricular links: science, literacy, spoken language   Learning Activities: Investigating our eyes and how they work Game to experience life without sight Discussion about risk-taking Re-telling the story from the point of view of the bear  

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Golden Girl: Jessica Ennis-Hill

This lesson tells the story of the Golden Girl of the 2012 Olympics, Jessica Ennis.... What makes her special and what keeps her grounded?   Cross-curricular links: literacy, geography, DT (cooking)   Learning Activities: Jamaican recipes Discussing role models and listing ‘wow’ words to describe them Identifying own likes and dislikes and recognise what they are good at

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Good Neighbours

This lesson is based around an animated story involving the Go-Givers characters that highlights the... value of good neighbours. In the story, Mrs Stackpole is always waiting to greet the Go-Givers on their way to school but one day the house is dark and she isn’t there. Children are asked to consider the signs that tell us when our neighbours need help as well as when and how to call the emergency services. Links: community, respect   Cross-curricular links: literacy, spoken language   Learning Activities: Role play practising calling 999 Learning about why hoax calls can cost lives Investigating different signs that a neighbour might need help  

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Hearing loss: Zoe's Ears

In this lesson Zoe tells us about our ears, and her experience of hearing loss.... Cross-curricular links: Literacy Learning Activities: •    Our five senses •    Identifying sounds •    Lip reading •    Communicating through gesture and British Sign Language   

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How do you feel today?

This lesson looks at felings and how we can look after our mental health. Mitali... is concerned about changes in Anna's behaviour. How can he help her? Links: respect, Mental Health Week Cross-curricular links: Literacy Learning Activities: Role play: Being supportive friends Naming feelings Compiling emergency kits to bring cheer Story: Catch a Falling Star.

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Managing Anger: Mitali Loses His Cool

This lesson is based around a story in which the Go-Givers character Mitali keeps losing... his temper. It aims to show children how their behaviour affects others and the difference it makes when we learn to control our anger.   Cross-curricular links: Art and Design   Learning Activities: Deep breathing and relaxation exercises Drawing pictures of the things that make children angry and ‘washing’ them away Story of the fisherman and the bait – how can we learn to be ‘smartfish’?  

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Managing Anger: Please Help Mitali

This lesson follows the behaviour of our Go-Givers character Mitali, and explores why he is... behaving badly, what choices he is making, and how children and adults can help. Cross-curricular links: Literacy, Art & Design, PSHE Learning Activities: Writing a poem about positive contributions Mitali can make to his school community Creating a fact file about animals that help humans in different ways Painting a picture or creating a collage about animals that help us    

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Medicines and Drugs: Get Better Soon

This lesson is based around an animated story involving the Go-Givers character Mitali who is... feeling unwell. The other characters bring him different things to try and help him feel better. It introduces children to some common cold medicines found in the home such as Lemsip, Vicks VapoRub and Calpol as well as other traditional remedies such as ‘chicken soup’ and a ‘hot toddy’ containing alcohol.    Cross-curricular links: science   Learning Activities: Discussing times you have been unwell, medicines and treatments the children know about Discussing which medicines go inside and outside the body, matching pictures to the right place on an outline of the human body Role playing going to the doctor Understanding harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol "Great resource. I've used it as an introductory lesson for our science topic on medicines." "This matches our Drug Ed. lessons really well and makes the lesson so much more real and interesting for the children. Lots of opportunities for discussion to keep them enthusiastic and help them to learn and remember these important messages."

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Meet the Go-Givers

An introduction to the Go-Givers characters. The lesson includes a quiz, and activities to help... children understand the nature of fear and how to make friends. Links: community

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More than One Friend

This lesson is based around an animated story in which Go-Givers character  Anna makes a... new friend, a bee named Stripy, and her other friend Digby feels left out. This story addresses the issues of loyalty and jealousy in friendships. Links: community, respect   Cross-curricular links: science, maths   Learning Activities: Finding out about bees Making tessellating honeycomb patterns using triangles and hexagons Creating a class friendship book  

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Name Calling: Sticks and Stones

A short, practical activity with a paper heart to demonstrate the hurt caused by name... calling. Links: bullying, respect, community, anti bullying, mental health   Learning Activities: A whole class activity using paper hearts Discussing the well-known phrase ‘sticks and stones can break your bones but words can never hurt you’. Can mean words leave scars on other’s hearts? "Lovely activity for my year 3 class, very appropriate for this year's anti-bullying theme. Thank You." "Lovely lesson idea. I'm going to use it with year one for anti-bullying week. It's really visual."

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Olympic Games Now and Then

This lesson looks at the origins of the Olympic Games, and how they have changed. ... Links: rio   Cross-curricular links: history, geography, art and design   Learning Activities: Considering historical evidence of the  Ancient Olympic Games Designing country ‘fact sheets’ for counties competing in London 2012 Exploring the Olympic Value of friendship Designing Olympic mascots Investigating all the different Olympic sports   "This is an excellent resource - great starting point for all sorts of Olympic related activities. Thank you very much. I will be using in KS1 but will recommend it to KS2 as well. Gold medal to the creator!"   "Brilliant, with just enough information for KS1. Thanks."

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Our Queen's Diamond Jubilee

This lesson celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and explores what her role entails, from opening... parliament and meetings with the Prime Minister to supporting numerous charities and walking her famous corgi dogs! Links: british values   Cross-curricular links: art and design, writing composition   Learning Activities: Colouring the union flag Designing commemorative  T-shirts or plates Writing letters to the Queen   "This is a very useful collection of slides. Perfectly pitched with some great lesson ideas too. Thanks!"

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Pete's Parathletics

Go-Givers character Pete introduces us to some of the sports in the Parathletics, and the athletes... who take part in them. Links: respect, equality   Learning Activities: Investigating a range of disabilities by experiencing different forms of impairment Inventing games that are inclusive of people with different types of disability

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Recipe

What is the recipe for the perfect class? This lesson explores the characteristics that the... group most admire in others, how those characteristics come together in the classroom, and how the children individually contribute to the life of their classroom and their school. Links: community, schools Cross-curricular links: Literacy, Art & Design Learning Activities: Compiling a mind map of the qualities the children most admire in others, and how they are shown in daily life Writing a recipe for the perfect class using these characteristics in a recipe structure Drawing a portrait of a classmate to display next to their personal “recipe”  

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Refugees: The Stranger

Go-Givers character Ahmeti is new to Britain and is worried about how she will fit... in. This animated story looks at similarities and difference between people; including nationality, language, food and culture, and how they should be embraced. It also considers the practical and emotional responses of moving to a new country, and how children’s behaviour can affect others. Links: community, immigration Cross-curricular links: literacy, geography  Learning Activities: Discussing how it feels to be in a country where you do not speak the native language Researching and creating a display about the country/region of origin of a pupil or teacher at school Writing a short story entitled “A New Pupil Arrives at School” Establishing a partnership with a school abroad  

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Rio Meets Callum

This lesson is about the experiences of people who are partially sighted, and introduces Rio,... our new partially-sighted Go-Givers character. It takes the form of an animated audio story, about how Rio, on his way to collect a large print book from the post office, bumps into Callum. The lesson was created in partnership with the RNIB. Links: respect Cross-curricular links: Literacy Learning Activities: Writing a limerick with rhyming words Discussing what it might be like to be partially sighted/blind  

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Rules: You Can't Do That Here

This lesson focuses on the importance of rules. In the animated story, Go-Givers character Callum... wants to try out his new skateboard but keeps being told 'You can't do that here!' The story illustrates how rules and responsibilities can limit the choices available but also explores why they are necessary, how rules can keep you and others safe, and how rules can be changed. Links: respect Learning Activities: •    See Nifty Gear (available with a School Subscription) for creating a Classroom Contract /Ground Rules •    Discussing how everyone can contribute to Ground Rules, and how everyone can help enforce them.  

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Saving Energy

This lesson focuses on the effects of global warming  on the environment, and the ways... in which individuals can make small changes that together make a big difference. Links: green Cross-curricular links: Science Learning Activities: Experimenting to see which materials make the best insulators Experimenting to see how long a kettle takes to boil Building a switch  Carrying out a survey of the school to identify where energy savings can be made   

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The Clown of God

This story, adapted from an Italian legend, tells of a talented young juggler who is... taunted as he grows too old to perform. It stresses the importance of recognising and celebrating each other’s talents and learning from experiences, and reminds children that bullying and teasing are hurtful and wrong. Links: community, respect, equality, anti bullying, mental health Cross-curricular links: literacy, art and design, physical education  Learning Activities: Discussion about mocking and bullying Creating a wall display to recognise the talents of others Considering the impact of growing older, and contrasting the benefits of youth with those  of older age Learning to juggle "The children loved it and understood the story which is beautifully presented, thank you!"  

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The Golden Statue

This lesson tells a story, adapted from a Buddhist legend, that encourages the children to... reflect on how the generosity with which a gift is given is more important than the amount donated.  Cross-curricular links: Religious Education, Art & Design  Learning Activities: Using the symbol of the lotus flower to consider the group’s aspirations and virtues Creating your own plaster casts   

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The Selfish Little Red Hen

This animated story turns the traditional tale of The Little Red Hen on its head.... In this case the hen is always too busy to help her friends. Pupils can choose the story ending. They are asked to reflect on the importance of team work and co-operation, and learn how to share their opinions. Links: community, respect Cross-curricular links: Drama (Spoken Language), Literacy  Learning Activities: Discussing the importance of being helpful: who helps the children? Who do they help? Discussing the impact of selfishness on others  Writing a poem entitled “What kind of world would it be?”  Considering how  helpfulness benefits society  'We used this lesson as part of our traditional tales series. The children loved the twist to the story and they liked the fact that they could choose the ending to the story. It prompted a lengthy discussion and they discovered that we don't always agree! They really enjoyed it thank you!'

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The Two Brothers

This lesson consists of a story adapted from an Egyptian legend that teaches about the... importance of family love, selflessness and generosity. Links: British values, tolerance, community Cross-curricular links: literacy, geography, charitable giving  Learning Activities: Thinking about the groups you belong to: family, friends, religion, clubs Thinking out how being generosity is often reciprocated Writing top tips for being a good brother/sister/cousin or friend Discussing the importance of water for farming Discussing the impact of the Nile in farming in Ancient Egypt  Acting out the story of “Joseph and his coat of many colours” "An easy, well explained story which provided thought for much discussion and restores our faith in the generosity of humankind."   "Enjoyed the story and had a good discussion about the words in the glossary. Also had a good discussion about families. The children liked the pictures and the animation."  

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Tongue: The Power of Words

This lesson considers the importance of words, as illustrated by a West Indian legend: how... words can be used to create goodness and happiness, but can also be used to be spiteful and to spread lies. The lesson also explores the five senses. Links: respect, bullying, anti bullying, mental health Cross-curricular links: literacy, science Learning Activities: Discussing the five senses, and how they help us to explore our world Discussing how other creatures use their senses differently; examples given include fish and insects Exploring how negative comments make us feel Converting “put downs” into positive comments  Writing tongue twisters.  

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Vote for the Go-Givers

In this lesson children share their opinions on things that matter to them and explain... their views by considering a range of community issues raised by the Go-Givers characters. Children are also introduced to the concept of voting. Cross-curricular links: spoken language Learning Activities:  expressing opinions by voting with thumbs, cards and lolly-pop sticks exploring issues affecting the class that children might want to vote on writing election manifestos for the Go-Givers characters  

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Voting in a general election

This lesson helps children understand how adults decide who to vote for in an election. It...This lesson helps children understand how adults decide who to vote for in an election. It also presents children with the opportunity to think about how they would like the government to spend our taxes. Links: british values, community

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What Does the Photo Tell Us?

This lesson is about empathy. It provides the opportunity for children to stand in the... shoes of others and consider how different the lives of children in other countries might be. Links: community, respect Cross-curricular links: geography, charitable giving Learning Activities: Considering what is going on outside the frame of the photographs in the PowerPoint Considering the similarities and differences between the children’s lives and those depicted in the photographs Considering what happened before/after the photographs were taken: thinking about context and their knowledge of other countries   

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Who's Afraid?

This lesson uses a story involving our Go-Givers characters to explore different fears, why we... are afraid of things, and how to overcome our fears.  Cross-curricular links: science Learning Activities: Discussing fear as an instinct Considering why we are afraid of things Considering how courage enables us to overcome our fears and experience new things Exploring how each of our five senses help to keep us safe   

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