Take your notes in your English notebook in the section dedicated to the UK politics.
1) Surf the Web and carry out some research into the Magna Carta.
what is is?
when was it signed?
in what language was it written?
what did it establish?
when was it printed for the first time?
2) Watch the two clips below about the Magna Carta. Check your answers to the questions in exercise 1 and take further notes.
3) Answer the following questions.
According to the videos,
what does Magna Carta mean?.
what does its most famous line (still true today in British law) affirm?
who did the Magna Carta apply to and who did it exclude?
who were the “free men” at the time?
who declared the charter invalid?
when was Magna Carta made part of English law?
what is the Magna Carta legacy?
what does the Magna Carta symbolise?
who did it inspire?
how did the Magna Carta become a symbol of American Liberty?
what was the Magna Carta used to protest against in the 18th century?
how did the Magna Carta “go viral” in the 18th century?
why did the Chartists use the Magna Carta?
why did the Suffragettes use the Magna Carta?
for what countries around the world was the Magna Carta inspirational?
Watch the two videos again and check your answers.
4) Imagine you are invited to co-created a Magna Carta for the digital age. What are our rights and responsibilities online? Give reasons and specific examples to support your ideas. Remember to choose "anonymous" as an identity, but write your name and the initial of your surname before starting to write.
Take your notes in your English notebook in the section dedicated to the UK geography.
1) Think about the following questions. Do you know …
when the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was created?
when the Irish War of Independence began and when it ended?
when Ireland was divided into the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland?
when the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed?
when Ireland joined the European Economic Community (now the EU)?
Check your answer on the web.
2) Look at the infographic and find out
the length of the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland;
the number of road crossings;
the number of people who cross the border daily to go to work.
3) Brexit Pain at the Irish Border is a seven-minute film that profiles residents, including many teenagers, who live along the border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and Ireland, which belongs to the European Union. The film explores the history of the Irish border and touches on themes of identity, politics and history.
Use the chart below as you watch to record and consider the aspects that you find most important or interesting. First, on the left side, note a specific quote or detail from the film; next, on the right side, tell what you noticed about it, why you chose it, or what questions it raises for you.
4) What moments in this film stood out for you? Why? Leave your personal comment in the comment box. Remember to choose "anonymous" as an identity, but write your name and the initial of your surname before starting to write.
Take your notes in your English notebook in the section dedicated to Brexit.
1) Think about and answer the questions.
- What do you already know about Brexit?
- What do you want to know about Brexit?
2) Read the article "Is Brexit the Way Out?". For questions 1-6, choose the correct option.
3) Read the article again. In your notebook, take notes under the following headings as the content is covered:
The meaning of the word “Brexit”
The referendum in 2016
The reasons for leaving the EU
The reasons for staying in the EU
PM Theresa May’s position
What happened to the UK after Brexit
4) In the comment box below, list 3 interesting facts that you have learnt in today's English lesson, 2 connections you have made and 1 question you still have. Remember to choose "anonymous" as an identity, but write your name and the initial of your surname before starting to write.
1) Watch the video below and bone up on the history of the European Union. In your notebook, create a timeline of the main events.
2) Watch the video again. In your notebook, take notes under the following headings as the content is covered:
Treaties of Rome
Economic Growth
Enlargement
Eurozone Debt Crisis
European Migrant Crisis
Current Situation
3) Read a summary of the objectives contained in the Treaty of Rome, setting up the European Economic Community (EEC).
"... the foundation of an increasingly closer union among the peoples of Europe, the improvement of their working and living conditions, the economic and social progress of their countries and the progressive abolition of all barriers and restrictions on trade."
Have all, many, some or none of these objectives been achieved, so far? Leave your personal comment, giving reasons for your answer in the comment box. Remember to choose "anonymous" as an identity, but write your name and the initial of your surname before starting to write.
The charter of the United Nations Organisation, signed in 1945, at the end of the Second World War, expressed humanity’s determination to save succeeding generations from the “scourge of war”. Conflict prevention was and remains one of the highest objectives of the United Nations. Still today conflict, insecurity, weak institutions and limited access to justice remain a great threat to sustainable development.
Millions of people have been deprived of their security, human rights and access to justice. In 2019 the number of refugees reached its highest ever level at nearly 80 million, and the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 increased social unrest and violence, undermining the hopes of achieving the targets of Goal 16.
STEP 1) The Sustainable Development Goal 16 recognises the indispensable role of peace, accompanied necessarily by justice and strong institutions, as a vital instrument for sustainable development in the world.
“War does not determine who is right - only who is left” - Bertrand Russel, English mathematician and philosopher.
“Peace is an essential underpinning of development. Conflict guts economies, wrecks societies, and breaks social bonds. It does incredible amounts of damage in ways that makes it hard for countries to recover, to grow, and to thrive.” - Elizabeth Counsens, Deputy Chief Executive Officer oof the United Nations Foundation.
Consider the two quotations above and answer the following questions.
What does the play on words in the first quotation suggest?
What benefits can peace bring and what damage does war cause?
STEP 2)Watch the clip in which Patrick Keuleers, UNDP’s Chief of Profession in Governance and Peacebuilding, talks about what makes a society peaceful, just and inclusive, and how you can make a difference as a citizen to achieve this goal.
Then complete the statements below.
What makes a society peaceful and inclusive? A peaceful society is a society in which people can live free from ………………………. , ………………………. intimidation, arbitrary action.
What is the role of justice for peaceful societies? A peaceful society cannot live where there is ………………………. or a systematic denial of ………………………. and ………………………. . A just society abides by ethical principles and promotes the principle of integrity. That is why Goal 16 has specific targets on fighting ………………………. .
How can I make an impact? Use your right to ………………………. . Every vote should count in creating more accountable, just and ………………………. societies. Finally, act as a ………………………. citizen. There is a lot of information available. Be ………………………. of what is going on globally and in other countries.
STEP 3) Here are some of the main targets of SDG 16.
Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.
Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.
Focus on one the issues listed above. Can you identify an initiative in Italy or an organisation that is seeking to achieve this target?
Work in small groups, gather useful information and prepare a report to explain how this initiative or organisation is working. Share it in the comment box below.
2) 🗯 Brainstorm ideas and plan your story according to the following structure:
- Title: briefly describe what the story is about and make people want to read it!
- Paragraph 1: set the scene and give the background of the story. Try to end the paragraph with some form of suspense to keep the reading going.
- Paragraph 2 and paragraph 3: outline what happens, giving the main events of the story.
- Paragraph 4: end the story. It is good to have a twist or surprise at the end.
3) 🖋 Write your story in 140-190 words in an appropriate style in the comment box below. Remember to choose "anonymous" as an identity, but write your name and the initial of your surname before starting to write.
2) 🗯 Brainstorm ideas and plan your story according to the following structure:
- Title: briefly describe what the story is about and make people want to read it!
- Paragraph 1: set the scene and give the background of the story. Try to end the paragraph with some form of suspense to keep the reading going.
- Paragraph 2 and paragraph 3: outline what happens, giving the main events of the story.
- Paragraph 4: end the story. It is good to have a twist or surprise at the end.
3) 🖋 Write your story in 140-190 words in an appropriate style in the comment box below. Remember to choose "anonymous" as an identity, but write your name and the initial of your surname before starting to write.