Free Classroom Resources
Tzedek’s Jewish Global Citizenship Project offers teachers a whole host of free educational teaching resources including assemblies, lesson plans, and activity ideas to help bring a global dimension into the classroom.
Lesson plans and classroom activities link to many areas of the curriculum, including Limmudei Kodesh (Jewish Studies), Geography and Citizenship. Our dynamic and creative activities encourage critical thinking and through active participation pupils learn to take responsibility for their actions. JGCP materials also contribute to ‘Every Child Matters’ and ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ (England and Wales)
JGCP resources are rich in Jewish text and chevruta activities, they bring these very real life issues in to a Jewish context in a way which will excite and motivate the young people you are working with.
"I must congratulate you on your schemes of work, each one is excellent. You are really providing the professionalism that is so important in delivering excellent meaningful Jewish education."
Rabbi Ben Zion Lewis, Principal, Bury & Whitefield Jewish Primary School
Resources are available for teaching with key stages 1,2,3 and 4.
Please be aware that these are very big files and may take a few minutes to open. Please contact education@tzedek.org.uk if you would like a resource sent over email or a hard copy sent in the post.
Our latest resources are available for download now!
- Children's Rights - This resource aims to encourage young people to comprehend that all humanity shares the same basic needs but that there are differences in how these are met. Through the activities in this pack participants will also develop an understanding of Jewish values relating to rights and responsibilities.
- Pesach and the Four Cups of Freedom- Based on a text from Exodus, pupils explore the issue of freedom and redemption as raised in the Pesach story and relate this to the lives of many children today, living without their basic children’s rights. This lesson is in addition to our extensive Pesach and Children’s Rights resource for Key Stage Two, and Pesach lessons in our Jewish Festivals pack for Key Stage One.
- Future Perfect - Sustainable Development - Our lastest resource helps young people to understand sustainable development and how it relates to them as global citizens. This includes learning about what people are doing in developing countries to contribute to sustainable development, as well as how environmental degradation is affecting them. This resource explores key themes of sustainable development such as climate change and ecological footprints. Participants will be made aware of the Jewish responsiblity to act, and encouraged to look at ways of creating their own sustainable community.
- Climate Change & The Conference in Copenhagen - This educational resource aims, in the build up to Cophenhagen, to teach the causes of climate change and what will happen to the planet if we don’t change our lifestyle – as well as offering the opportunity to consider our Jewish responsibility to act.
- Climate Week Assembly and Notes for Assembly- How can eating fruit and vegetables that are in season and grown locally help reduce climate change? This assembly aims to make students and teachers aware that the choices they make in the supermarket can have far-reaching effects by using Jewish texts and a seasonal vegetable calendar.
This 15-20 minute assembly is aimed at key stage 2 but could be adapted for use with key stage 3.
- Tu Bishvat KS1 - This lesson plan has been taken directly from our successful Jewish Festival Resource and contains cross curricula links to literacy, geography and science. Through an exploration of the classic story “The Giving Tree”, by Israeli author Shel Silverstein, pupils are encouraged to appreciate and consider their relationships as carers of the world.
- Jewish Festivals KS1 - This resource uses the celebration of the Jewish festivals to explore the wider world as we prepare to play an active role as global citizens. As well as lesson plans on all the topics featured in our KS2 3 and 4 resources additional topics include Chanukah and saving energy and Tu Bishvat and our environment.
- Chanukah Assembly - This one off assembly explores the festival of Chanukah and messages we can learn about energy conservation and climate change. An accompanying class room activity and background information are also included.
- Human Rights and the 10 Commandments KS3&4 - This resource provides students with an opportunity to explore the importance of modern human rights through a comparison with The Ten Commandments. Students further explore the values that underpin human rights, as well as their inherent responsibilities.
- Sukkot & The Home KS2
Sukkot & The Home KS3&4
This resource explores themes of; homelessness and inadequate standard of living, Sukkot teachings and practices, similarities and differences between poor housing and the Sukkah, Ushpizin.
- Trade Education and Purim KS2 This pack explores themes of, Living in a Global Community, Introduction to Global Trade, Workers’ Rights, Ethical Consumerism & Fairtrade and Purim. Including assembly and classroom ideas for Fairtrade Fortnight.
- Trade Education KS3 & KS4 This pack explores themes of, Living in a Global Community, Introduction to Global Trade, Workers’ Rights, Ethical Consumerism & Fairtrade. Including assembly and classroom ideas for Fairtrade Fortnight.
- Purim & Trade KS3 This pack uses the opportunities presented by the story and practices of Purim to allow pupils to explore how their lives are connected to the lives of those living around the world through their consumer choices with a particular focus on the problem of ethical practice in the clothing industry and the benefits of Fairtrade.
- Pesach and Children’s Rights KS2
Pesach and Children's Rights KS3&4
Pesach is an excellent time to explore the issue of children’s rights around the world. Children play a central part in this Jewish festival and using the story and religious practices of Pesach. This pack explores themes of: balancing rights and responsibilities in a democratic society, children’s right to protection from discrimination and exploitation, children’s right to education, children’s right to participation (pupil voice).
Created in conjunction with The Big Green Jewish, this resource aims to inspire and equip members of the Jewish community to live healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.
- Carbon Ration Book Created in conjunction with The Big Green Jewish, this pack explores themes of Judaism and Environmental Responsibility, Climate Change and Carbon Rationing. Included in this pack are activities and lesson plans as well as the Carbon Ration Game, used to plan a day using carbon ration sheets.
- Fairtrade Fortnight KS2 A chocolate taste test, a consumer diary, and real-life case studies help to bring the issue of Fairtrade to life! Fairtrade Fortnight is an initiative of the Fairtrade Foundation and more information can be found on their website.
If you would like to discuss any of these resources with a member of the Tzedek team or have feedback please contact us.
