Dear Educator,
The number of events you can focus on/ celebrate at your school every single month is really mind-blowing and hard to count. In this project, we would like to raise awareness about more than 30 events, but it is up to you and your students to select the ones that are of your particular interest. The events you see below are connected to three interdisciplinary topics such as health and life skills, citizenship and democracy and sustainable development. The detailed lesson plans and games will be shared with all the partners on Microsoft Teams.
| Date | Event’s name | Description of event | Activities/ Resources/ Videos |
| AUGUST | |||
| 12th August | International Youth Day | International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. | · Films: Becoming 13, I Will Find a Way, Hannah’s Story · International Youth Film Festival – students recording their own videos |
| SEPTEMBER | |||
| 5th September | International Charity Day | Every year, charities all over the world help to save and improve people’s lives, fighting disease, protecting children, and giving hope to many thousands of people. International Day of Charity serves to increase and enhance social responsibility across the entire world, increasing our support for charitable causes and bringing everyone together in solidarity. | · Films: The Help · Bake sales, Recycling for a cause, Book fair, Sponsored litter pick |
| 8th September | International Literacy Day | Each year September 8th marks UNESCO’s International Literacy day, raising awareness globally on the issues surrounding adult and child literacy | · Library: Display recommendations from teachers filled in · Kahoot – play |
| 10th September | World Suicide Prevention Day | World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), on 10 September, is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). WHO has been a co-sponsor of the day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented. | · Films: Suicidal: In Our Own Words-documentary-channel 4 · Jay Asher- Thirteen Reasons Why-novel reading · Light a candle in a window to remember suicide victims · Students could create presentations to inform community members of current research in suicide prevention Run a suicide awareness training session. The organization, Living Works, runs programs like A.S.I.S.T. – Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training – or Safe Talk where students learn about how to get help or support friends. Other organizations also offer various informational programs – ie Jack.org https://www.suicideinfo.ca/resource/thirteen-reasons-why-lesson-plan/ |
| 21st September | International Day of Peace | Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. | · Films: Mandela: The Living Legend, Everyday Rebellion, Love & Solidarity, Selma, Waltz with Bashir, Shake Hands with the Devil http://mariamthemovie.com/ |
| 26th September | European Day of Languages | The European Year of Languages 2001, jointly organised by the Council of Europe and the European Union, was successful in involving millions of people across 45 participating countries. Its activities celebrated linguistic diversity in Europe and promoted language learning. | · Library lesson: nonfiction article importance of studying languages. Focus on careers and opportunity. · Films: subtitled film: The Idol |
| 27th – 3rd October | Banned Books Week | Banned Books Week (September 27 – October 3, 2020) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. | · Library lessons: censorship non- fiction article · Assembly: Freedom to read focus · House competition: Decorating classroom doors based on a banned/challenged book · Choose a banned/challenged books for your class, whether it’s a short children’s story, a passage from a novel or an entire book you’ve been reading with the class · Banned book debate- Split the class into two groups. Have one side argue for the freedom of schools to read often-challenged books and the other side to argue why students reading materials should be screened and approved by teachers https://www.freedomtoread.ca/ |
| OCTOBER | |||
| 1st October | National Poetry Day | National Poetry Day generates an explosion of activity nationwide, thousands of amazing events across the UK – in schools, libraries, bookshops and hospitals, on buses, trains and boats – all celebrating poetry’s power to bring people together. 2020 theme is Vision. | · Poetry competition: write a poem with the theme ‘Vision’. · Paper Bag Poetry, Poetry Speed Date, Paint Chip Poetry, Black out poetry https://www.poetryoutloud.org/ |
| 10th October | World Mental Health Day | The day is celebrated at the initiative of the World Federation of Mental Health and WHO supports this initiative through raising awareness on mental health issues using its strong relationships with the Ministries of health and civil society organizations across the globe. | · Films: A Beautiful Mind, Silver Linings Playbook, Inside Out, Still Alice · Digital posters · Mindfulness exercises · Meet your students where they spend much of their time—on social media—to discuss the topic of mental health |
| 15th October | World Values Days | The theme of Values in Action had just been chosen for this year’s World Values Day when the coronavirus crisis unexpectedly exploded and confronted us with a life-and-death issue that now threatens every community on the planet. | https://www.worldvaluesday.com/lets-celebrate-our-valuesheroes/ @ValuesDay |
| 16th October | World Food Day | World Food Day is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger. Held annually on 16th October, people from around the world come together to declare their commitment to eradicate worldwide hunger from our lifetime. | · Films: Heartbeat, Wasted, How to Feed the World, Just Eat It, Food Chains, The Hidden Costs of Hamburgers, The Garden, Waste, Food INC · Garden project · Start a Seed Preservation Project · Farm visit |
| 17th October | International Day for the Eradication of Poverty | The commemoration of October 17 each year demonstrates how we can achieve greater participation by enabling people from all walks of life to come together to respect the human rights and dignity of people living in poverty. | · Films: Poor Kids (BBC) · Lecture and Debates · Students could organise a rally, walk, march or sleep-out in your local area to raise awareness about an issue or to call for government action · Performance, concert or screening on a poverty-related issue. |
| All month | Black History Month | Black history month was first launched in London in the 1980s, where the aim was for the local community to challenge racism and educate themselves and others about the British history that was not taught in schools. | · Library display: Novels and non-fiction · Library Lessons: non-fiction extracts/articles · Assembly: student voice promote Black History event and poetry/spoken word performance · Films: The Butler, The Help, Hidden Figures · Student Voice Event: main hall festival celebrating food, music, writers |
| All month | Buy Nothing New Month | It is the global movement for collective, conscientious consumption. It’s a little idea that started in Melbourne and is spreading to the Netherlands and USA. Let’s bring it to our countries too. | · Films: Crazy Rich Asians, The True Cost |
| NOVEMBER | |||
| 13th November | World Kindness Day | World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on 13th November. On this day, participants attempt to make the world a better place by celebrating and promoting good deeds and pledging acts of kindness, either as individuals or as organisations. | · Films: Wonder, A Little Princess, Pay it Forward · Library Display: Promoting random acts of kindness, novels focused on empathy and kindness · Form: Random acts of kindness calendar created |
| 16th November | International Day for Tolerance | It is a great opportunity for you to think back and recall the last time you had a different perspective than one of your friends? When’s the last time you’ve had to learn something about their culture? We’re betting it wasn’t that long ago. | · Films: Wonder, Bully, Mean Girls, Loving, Bullied · Get out there and meet someone new. It doesn’t have to be an overly complicated task, but try to befriend someone you normally wouldn’t. |
| 19th November | World Toilet Day | It’s all about inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and help achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which promises sanitation for all by 2030. World Toilet Day 2019 is drawing attention to those people being left behind without sanitation. | · Films: Toilet: A Love Story, Mr. Toilet: The World’s #2 Man · Use the hashtags #bigsquat, #worldtoiletday and #opendefecation. · Watch a World Toilet Day playlist and share videos on Facebook or Twitter to join the call for toilets and sanitation for all · Toilet selfie |
| DECEMBER | |||
| 1st December | World AIDS Day | It is an important opportunity to recognize the essential role that communities have played and continue to play in the AIDS response at the international, national and local levels. | · Films: The Lazarus Effect · Wear a Red Ribbon to show solidarity · Create a large poster with a red ribbon to fill with student signatures · Distribute red ribbons · Organize a film screening |
| 3rd December | International Day for Persons with Disabilities | The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. | · Films: Daniel Blake, Untouchable, Notes on Blindness, My Feral Heart, Inside I’m Dancing · Analyse how people with disability are portrayed in the media and popular culture-create a video summarizing your findings · Interview a person with disability, then present the interview as a magazine or newspaper article. Include pictures or photographs. Publish the article online. |
| 10th December | Human Rights Day | It is the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights empowers us all. The principles enshrined in the Declaration are as relevant today as they were in 1948. We need to stand up for our own rights and those of others. We can take action in our own daily lives, to uphold the rights that protect us all and thereby promote the kinship of all human beings. | · Films: She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry-Netflix, The White Helmets, The Dark Side of Chocolate, Hidden Figures · Prepare a 5-minute speech on Key Human Rights Issues of particular concern to young people/women/migrants/Gays in the world today · Go to cartoonmovement.com and pick out 3 human rights cartoons that appeal to you. What are they about and why do they appeal to you? What messages are they presenting? What images do they use? Compare your choices with those of others · Board game-Human rights #StandUp4Humanrights #ItStartsWithMe |
| 18th December | International Migrants Day | Migration is a global phenomenon driven by many forces. These start with aspirations for dignity, safety and peace. The decision to leave home is always extreme, and, too often, the beginning of a dangerous, sometimes fatal journey. | https://myhero.com/international-migrants-day-teacher-lesson-plan |
| JANUARY | |||
| 21st January | Holocaust Memorial Day | Holocaust Memorial Day is the day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. | · Films: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The Book Thief, Life is Beautiful · Library Lesson: Extract/Article · Library display: fiction/non fiction texts. Tattooist of Auschwitz, Diary of Anne Frank, Once series, Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The Book Thief. |
| FEBRUARY | |||
| 21st February | International Language Mother Day | It promotes peaceful dialogue and aims to preserve indigenous heritage. | · Skype sessions · Have students explore proverbs from their languages with same-language peers · Make a video in your classroom language about the language itself – make an advertisement for Japanese, French, Chinese, Tongan, Russian or any other language you are interested in · Collect all languages spoken by your students in the class/ school and display them in a chart · Display flags of the languages spoken or taught in your school · Practise tongue twisters in different languages · Run a competition on your school intranet about languages which is open to all students to participate, give prizes at end of week · Ask your librarian to do a languages themed display, highlight the books in other languages available in the library, use the library as a drop-in space where your students could give other students language lessons |
| MARCH | |||
| 4th March | World Book Day | World Book Day is a registered charity on a mission to give every child and young person a book of their own. It’s also a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading. | · House competition: Decorating classroom doors · Films: Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter, Divergent · Library Display: Teachers favourite books/theme |
| 8th March | International Women’s Day | International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. | · Library display: Fiction/non fiction · Library Lesson: Extract/article on Suffrage movement. · Films: Moana, Brave, Mulan, Little Women, The Hunger Games, Wonder Woman, Queen of Katwe. |
| 21st March | World Poetry Day | It celebrates one of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity. | · Poetry slam · Write a poem and create a poetry mini book |
| 21st March | International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | In 1966 the United Nations declared the first Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to commemorate those who had been killed on 21 March 1960, whilst peacefully protesting against the Apartheid pass laws in South Africa. | · Watch the video Peanut Butter, Jelly and Racism · Follow the hashtag #RaceRelated on Twitter. Explore other hashtags about race and racism, including #RaceEquality and #FightRacism. Research other popular hashtags that address race · Read The Hate U Give · Class discussion https://www.racismnoway.com.au/teaching-resources/anti-racism-activities/lesson-ideas/racist-behaviour/ https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/ https://hreusa.org/hre-library/topics/racism/lesson-plans/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/learning/lesson-plans/teaching-ideas-and-resources-to-help-students-make-sense-of-the-george-floyd-protests.html |
| 22nd March | World Day for Water | The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. | https://en.unesco.org/50-years-unesco-water-programmes/50-movies · Films: Thirsty for Justice: the struggle for the human right to water, Our Planet: Fresh Water, Changing Currents |
| 28th March | Earth Hour | The annual Earth Hour lights out event is held worldwide toward the end of March to encourage individuals, households, communities and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour as a symbol for their commitment to the planet. | · Library Lesson: Extract/Article environment, climate change. · Films: Blue planet David Attenborough episode. |
| APRIL | |||
| 7th April | World Health Day | World Health Day is celebrated each year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 and to raise awareness about a public health priority. | · Go for a hike · Students could create a brochure, make a video, or even create a social media campaign · Promote healthy eating |
| 21st April | World Creativity and Innovation Day | It is a global UN day celebrated on April 21 to raise awareness around the importance of creativity and innovation in problem solving with respect to advancing the United Nations sustainable development goals, also known as the “global goals”. | · Films: Startup.com |
| 22nd April | Earth Day | It is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. | · Films: Planet Earth, Our Planet · Ecological footprint calculator and flight carbon footprint calculator-measure your impact |
| 23rd April | World Book Night – Reading Hour | Reading for pleasure is a globally recognised indicator in a huge range of social issues from poverty to mental health, yet in England alone, 36% of people don’t regularly read (DCMS, 2015). World Book Night brings people from all backgrounds together for one reason – to inspire others to read more. | · Library display: perfect reads for reading hour · Student Voice and Teachers: short stories posted on facebook students/teachers reading aloud encouraging families to take part in reading hour |
| MAY | |||
| 16th-22nd May | Mental Health Awareness Week | The aim of this week is to educate the public about mental health issues and to promote better mental health. This event is also a vehicle to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation. | · Films: Inside Out, Bridge to Terabithia, Big Hero 6, A Monster Calls · Library display: https://bookriot.com/2018/10/02/ya-books-about-mental-illness/ |
| JUNE | |||
| All month | Pride Month | June is Pride month, it is a month dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ communities all around the world. | · Film Club: The Imitation Game, Love Simon, Blue is the Warmest Colour, Brokeback Mountain, Call me Kuchu, The Pearl of Africa https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/lgbtq-pride-month-and-education-resources https://www.teachwire.net/news/teaching-resources-for-pride-month https://www.weteachnyc.org/resources/collection/june-lgbt-pride-month/ |
| 5th June | World Environment Day | World Environment Day is celebrated on 5 June every year, and is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment. | · Films: The Lorax, Wall-E, March of the Penguins. · Library Lesson: Article on global warming, plastic pollution |
| 8th June | World Oceans Day | It is held every year on 8th June to raise awareness of the vital importance of our oceans and the role they play in sustaining a healthy planet. | · Give students a hands-on learning experience by hosting a field trip to an educational or engaging area. This could be visiting a local aquarium or zoo, going to the beach, or taking a walk at a nature reserve. https://worldoceansday.org/ https://www.teachwire.net/news/world-oceans-day-resources https://worldoceanday.school/ |
| 19th June | Juneteenth | Juneteenth is celebrated across the USA as the end of slavery in the United States. | -21 day racial equity challenge -Book for teacher-How to Be an Antiracist? -YouTube videos: The Stone Thrower by Joel Ealey Richardson,The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles, Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton. -Book recommendations for young adults: The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas,Dear Martin by Nic Stone,All American Boys by Jason Reynolds Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes,Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, On the Come Up by Angie Thomas https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/teaching-juneteenth https://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-juneteenth/ |
EVERY MONTH, YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SELECT ONE TOPIC YOU WANT TO EXPLORE. BELOW YOU WILL FIND EXAMPLES OF EVENTS YOU MAY DECIDE TO FOCUS ON. BESIDES, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONNECT YOUR SELECTED “EVENT” TO CURRENT ISSUES.
WE BELIEVE REAL-LIFE ISSUES AND EVENTS CAPTURE YOUR STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN A WAY THAT TEXTBOOK WRITING RARELY CAN, BECAUSE YOUR STUDENTS CAN RELATE TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEIR COMMUNITY, THEIR COUNTRY, AND THE WORLD. MOREOVER, STUDENTS WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUES AND EVENTS THEY HEAR THEIR PARENTS AND OTHERS DISCUSSING. WHEN THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD, THEIR CURIOSITY IS SATISFIED AND THEY GAIN CONFIDENCE BY CONTRIBUTING THEIR OWN THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS.
Copyright © 2020 Barbara Anna Zielonka. All rights reserved.
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