Newsmaker - from the Guardian
Topic packs for Newsmaker
Research material
A library of edited Guardian, Observer and other articles for research.
Pictures
A library of pictures that help tell the story.
Teachers' notes
Project support and lesson ideas.
Fact files
A bank of fact files to support research.
Create a resource
Import your own images, interviews and articles.
Newsmaker comes with a range of primary or secondary curriculum-related Topic packs. Covering themes as diverse as stem cells and bullying, the packs include news articles categorised by reading difficulty, photos, images, reports, interviews and statistical information.
The packs are ideal for activities where the principal learning objective is using relevant information to present a story or argument rather than finding or creating information resources.
Newsmaker also allows pupils to use their own photos, images and text, making Newsmaker suitable for any topic, including production of school newsletters and newspapers.
The primary edition of Newsmaker includes 10 Topic packs, and the secondary edition includes 14. More Topic packs will be available for purchase.
The real Oliver Twist
History, Citizenship, Literacy
This pack explores the real life story of poor Victorian children through articles and resources written at the time. It includes the moving first person testimony of child workers and articles on the development of "ragged schools". The photographic resources included in the pack capture the gritty reality of life for children in the 19th century.
Life on the Home Front
History, Citizenship, Literacy
What was it like to be in Britain during Second World War? This pack explores life on the Home Front through articles, letters and other resources published at the time. The focus is on rationing, the Blitz and evacuation.
Beat the bullies
Citizenship, PSHE, Literacy
This emotive and inspiring pack contains articles and resources which explore the topic of bullying. The pack follows the journey of brave individuals who have stood up to bullying and charts the official road to stomping it out altogether.
What’s on your plate?
D&T, PSHE, Science, Literacy
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has tried to revolutionise school dinners; the articles and resources in this pack explore whether his campaign really affected the eating habits of the nation’s children. Where do we go from here to eat healthily? Explore the issues with this pack.
Using the Thames
Geography, Citizenship, Science, Literacy
With constant traffic jams and rail problems, could rivers be the motorways of the future? This pack looks at the potential for more water traffic, particularly on the Thames, for pleasure, commerce and commuting. The pack also explores housing developments and the 2012 Olympics.
The Earth and us
Geography, Science, Citizenship, Literacy
What can we do to save our planet? This pack explores global warming, alternative energy sources and recycling. It explains what the Kyoto agreement is and the practical steps pupils can take to actually make a difference.
Festivals of Spring
RE, Citizenship, Geography, Literacy
This pack explores the themes behind some common festivals. The focus is on Easter and spring festivals, but the resources allow the activities to be adapted to suit your school or the time of year.
Heading for extinction?
Geography, Science, Citizenship, Literacy
This pack looks at endangered animals, on land and in the sea. Articles, reports and striking images help students consider the issues, make informed judgements and develop research skills.
The Moon, Mars and beyond
Science, History, Literacy
Today’s pupils could be part of the colonisation of the moon planned by Nasa to start in 2024, but how much do they know about it? This pack opens pupils’ eyes to the moon, space exploration and possible visits to Mars.
Football fever
Citizenship, PE, Literacy
Fans of the "beautiful game" can spend a fortune on tickets and base their lives on fixtures. This pack provides articles, statistics and photographs of football fans. It asks why they care so passionately about their teams, and investigates if the clubs only care about the fans for their money.
Rebuilding shattered lives
Geography, Science, Citizenship, Literacy
What happens after a country is devastated by an earthquake? This pack contains resources for students studying natural hazards and disaster relief. It compares the huge differences between relief efforts in More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) and Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs).
Is poverty history?
Geography, Citizenship, Literacy
This pack contains resources for students studying third world debt. It concentrates on the hugely successful 2005 Make Poverty History campaign, looking at its long-term success and what it has meant for very poor countries.
India calling
Geography, Citizenship, Literacy
This pack uses the relocation of UK call centres to India as an example of issues surrounding industrial change. The articles describe the positive and negative impacts of call centres on Indian life. Is India really set to become the new superpower?
Powering the future
Geography, Science, Citizenship, Literacy
Will cars of the future run on petrol, chip fat or not exist at all? This pack looks at the key issues relating to the current energy crisis and the ways in which we can attempt to resolve it using renewable or alternative energy.
Origins of life
Science, RE, Citizenship, Literacy
Where did we come from? Is it possible that life developed from random variation and survival? Was there some higher order/being involved in our creation? This pack looks at ideas about the origins of life, and explores how this subject is taught in schools.
Stem cells: kill or cure?
Science, Citizenship, Literacy
This pack explores the controversy of stem cell research. It explores the ethics of using stem cells from embryos and asks how stem cell research could impact on those with diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Exploring space
Science, History, Citizenship, Literacy
This pack delves into the fascinating issue of manned and unmanned space exploration. It includes historical articles on the “moon men” of the 60s and 70s. With Nasa’s plan to build a permanent base on the moon, just what does the future hold?
Faith and festivals
RE, Citizenship, Geography, Literacy
This pack encourages students to uncover the richness of muliculturalism by embracing different religions in their community and discovering how people celebrate their faith. The pack includes articles and resources that explore the celebration of a variety of religions..
Crime and punishment
Citizenship, PSHE, Literacy
From smacking to the electric chair, is it ever right to use violence as a punishment? The articles and resources in this pack delve into the core moral issues surrounding two themes: corporal and capital punishment. Students are free to develop and express existing opinions or form new ones.
Your vote is your voice
Citizenship, PSHE, Geography, Literacy
This pack explores aspects of local government in the UK. It looks at how local government is organised and deals with the issue of voter apathy - especially among young voters. Students are prompted to think about the meaning of democracy as they create their articles and front pages.
In search of a home
Citizenship, PSHE, Geography, Literacy
This pack sensitively explores the emotive issues of asylum seeking and immigration. The articles and resources shed light on life for asylum seekers in the UK. Several cases are included that deal with the feelings and issues of different people involved and their opinions.
Women in the First World War
History, Geography, Citizenship, Literacy
Through fascinating articles and resources published at the time, this pack explores how the employment of women’s contributed to Britain’s success in the war and helped to change attitudes - women at last won the right to vote in 1918.
The Home Front
History, Geography, Citizenship, Literacy
What was it like to be in Britain during the Second World War? This pack explores life on the Home Front through articles, letters and other resources published at the time. The focus is on rationing, the Blitz and evacuation.
The Berlin Wall
History, Geography, Citizenship, Literacy
This pack allows students to examine the impact of the building and destruction of the Berlin Wall. Students will find out the background to its building, explore its historical significance and understand the importance of its destruction.
