Topical Tuesdays: A Footballer’s Job? – KS2 News Story and Reading and Writing Activity Sheet from The Week Junior

Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United and England footballer, has set up a group to tackle child food poverty in the UK. On 1 September, Rashford announced he had joined forces with some of the UK’s largest food companies, as well as businesses and charities. Rashford says he is confident the group can help change lives.

This resource pack includes an article about Rashford and food poverty from The Week Junior newspaper, plus a sheet of activities to get children thinking, talking and writing about what the story means to them.

This PDF resource includes this article, as well as accompanying activity ideas:

• Marcus Rashford has clearly used his fame to do something very important for children who experience food poverty. But is it really his place to get involved? Shouldn’t this be the Government’s job and, if they don’t do it, we can always vote them out? Or is there always a place for charitable work in our society? If Mr Rashford’s experiences make this issue particularly important for him, there will always be another celebrity to champion another issue. And if we wait for the Government to sort out these things, nothing would ever get done! What do you think?
• Think of a cause you feel strongly about. Write an imaginary letter to your local MP describing the problem, how it affects people and what you think the Government should do about it.
• Write a biographical recount of Marcus Rashford’s life so far. Remember to include introductory and closing comments as well as detailing the important parts of his life in chronological order.
• What should a healthy diet for a primary school child include? Research what children need and suggest a full day’s sample menu, including quantities where possible.

Find the entire series of Topical Tuesday resources to download here.

What is The Week Junior?

The Week Junior magazine looks at current affairs and helps children make sense of the world, provides context and clarity to complex issues, improves general knowledge and encourages discussion and debate.

To find out more about The Week Junior and to download its free resources, please go to schools.theweekjunior.co.uk.

This resource is part of the News Activities Archive collection.
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• News story
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