How to use the resources
The resource has been structured into 5 different lesson plans, each with suggested homework and follow-up activities. In addition, there are supporting resources which we suggest downloading and making hard copies of. These can be made into a resource pack (see below).
Each lesson is designed to build upon knowledge and understanding gained in previous ones. They could therefore be taught as a single unit of consecutive lessons. If taught over a period of time, you may need to re-cap previous lessons at the start of the next.
Where appropriate, the supporting resources have been differentiated into three levels. Level 1 is designed for pupils working at reading levels 6 and above, Level 2 for those at levels 4/5 and Level 3 for those working below level 4. As the whole point of some activities is to illustrate the complexity of the UK's asylum system, pupils may still need support with some of the reading material. Additionally, if you have SEN or EAL pupils in your class you may need to adapt the resources further according to their particular needs.
Because of the sensitive nature of the subject and the aims of the resource, the focus of the lessons is on imparting factual information and emphasising the positive aspects of the experiences and achievements of refugees. We recognise that, in some schools, many pupils may have come from refugee backgrounds; no activities suggest pupils be asked to share their own experiences. You are, however, the best judges of whether some activities might still cause your pupils to feel uncomfortable and so need to be adapted.
Both the lesson plans and the supporting materials are in 'word' format. This means that you can easily adapt the resources as you wish to meet the needs of your particular class or school.
Making your own pack
Once you have selected, downloaded and adapted the resources as appropriate we suggest printing off hardcopies and compile your own resource pack. This will consist of:
5 lesson plans (Lesson 1, Lesson 2, Lesson 3, Lesson 4 & Lesson 5)
Resource A (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3): Refugee stories cards. Print/colour photocopy one copy of each onto A4 paper or card. The copies should have the person's photograph on one side and information about them on the other. Laminate.
Resource B (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3): Definitions cards. Print/colour photocopy sufficient copies for pupils to have one each (Level 1, A5 size; Levels 2 & 3, A4 size). Laminate.
Resource C (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3): Refugees: Who are they? power point presentation. Download onto disc.
Resource D (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3): True/False quiz cards. Print/colour photocopy sufficient copies for pupils to have one between two. Cut to size and laminate.
Resource E (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3): Applying for asylum cards. Print/colour photocopy sufficient copies for pupils to have one each (A4 size). Laminate.
Resource F (Levels 1, 2 &3): World map. Print off a master copy for the pack. Colour photocopy one per pupil before lesson.
Resource G (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3): Iraq cards. Print/colour photocopy sufficient copies for pupils to have one each (A4 size). Laminate.
Resource H (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3): Refugees: How much do you really know? power point presentation. Download onto disc. Print off one copy of the accompanying teachers' notes (Levels 1, 2 & 3).
Resource I (Levels 1, 2 & 3): Newspaper report cards. Print/colour photocopy sufficient copies for pupils to have one each (A4 size). Laminate.
Resource J (Levels 1, 2 & 3): Ilona's story DVD clip. Download onto a disc.
Resource K (Levels 1, Level 2 or Level 3): What do we have in common? cards. Print/colour photocopy sufficient copies for pupils to have one each (A4 size, double sided or A3, one sided). Laminate.