On 19th July 2022, a heatwave in the UK caused record-breaking temperatures in several areas. This resources pack includes an article from The Week Junior magazine, along with a sheet of activities designed to get children thinking, talking and writing about what the story means to them.
Oracy
So, we had unusually high temperatures for a couple of days. You’d think it was the end of the world, judging by the news coverage. The question is, do we get overly dramatic in this country whenever the weather is out of the ordinary? Or is it right to be alarmed by the increasing number of extreme weather events we are having? Should we be using this as an opportunity to force governments to take more urgent action to combat climate change? What do you think?
Writing skills
Imagine you are a zoo animal from either a hot climate or a much colder one. Write a diary entry for the day of the record temperatures from your perspective.
Or
Write the script of a spoof weather report for the day of record temperatures where the forecaster is not really commenting on the weather but on the mood of the population.
Investigate
What effect does hot weather have on the human body? Describe three or four physical problems that it might cause along with the best way to deal with each one.
Find the entire series of Topical Tuesday resources to download in our Topical Tuesdays collection.
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 The Week Junior website.