Teaching Strategies, Tactics, and Methods

A monologue is a long speech spoken by one actor in a play or film.

A monologue is where one character is doing the talking, whether it be dramatic talking, complaining, telling jokes, or evil laughing. Their story can include other characters, but only one speaks in an extended format, and the audience sees the scene through that character’s eyes.

The King of the Monologue

Perhaps the most famous of history’s dramatic monologue writers was Shakespeare himself. He wrote as many theatrical plays as he wrote comedies, many of which were rich with monologues by his main characters. In a play format, a monologue is a character speaking a long speech, addressing the audience, other characters in the scene, or themselves.

In Shakespeare’s plays, characters famously do a lot of talking out loud to themselves. Children will learn all about Shakespeare and his works in their studies and will be introduced to comedic and dramatic monologues.

Writing a Dramatic Monologue – Tips For Kids

Show examples

The best way to inspire children to write their dramatic monologue is to give them many ready-made examples. They can practice reading and speaking with these monologues and get more familiar with the type of story and tone used. Split children into pairs of A and B, or 1 and 2. Each child should take turns performing the monologue, and the other should give feedback and positive commentary before taking their favor.

Here are some fantastic examples of dramatic monologues for kids to inspire and admire:

1. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Puck

Puck is a great character to get younger children interested in Shakespeare and the world of theatre. He’s playful and punchy and spends much of the play prancing around, making comments to the audience. In addition, puck’s monologues have consistent rhythms, making them easier for younger children to learn and enjoy. Puck’s monologues can be found in Act 2, Scene 2, Act 3, Scene 2, and Act 5, Scene 2.

2. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Snug the Lion

Snug, the lion, is a beautiful character to introduce children to dynamic writing when working with a dramatic monologue. His monologues are short and balance drama with humor. Children can have fun taking inspiration from the character and will love playing with the gentle lion. The monologue can be found in Act 5, Scene 1.

3. ” Matilda” – Matilda

Matilda is such a loveable and relatable character, and she’s a great learning model for children – the girl loves a good book. Her monologues are short and punchy, and she has excellent comic delivery. This is true for many of the other characters in the story. This would be a great example to use when practicing writing comedic monologues. Psst, We’ve included one of the monologues from Matilda below.

Choose a topic

When teaching about writing monologues, firstly, children need to choose a topic. A good suggestion when writing a dramatic monologue is to make it personal. That way, children write as themselves and can pull inspiration from something that has happened in their lives. Have them choose something they remember as being quite dramatic – like the time the cat got stuck in the tree. Once they have decided upon an event or story, they can begin writing. When you’re teaching about writing monologues, get children in the right frame of mind by asking them to think of something that makes them sad and scared or happy and excited; then, ask them to write about it.

Writing a personal monologue

Once children have decided upon a topic or event for their monologue, it’s time to get writing. They’re writing about themselves, so it should be easier to remember how they felt and use descriptive language to describe the event.

Writing a character monologue

Children have had a little practice writing a monologue from their own experiences. Now is a fun time to challenge them to create a monologue based on a character. Students could choose an existing character from a story or play they know and love or use their imagination to invent a new and exciting figure. They should use the same method as before, but instead of writing a monologue about an event they experienced, they should put themselves in the new character’s shoes. Imagining the world from the point of view of the character and what they would say and do.

Using dramatic language

Creating dramatic dialogue in a monologue can be tricky. So it’s good to introduce children to some good examples of dramatic language to inspire their imagination and offer a scaffold framework for their writing. In dramatic dialogue, a lot is happening, but it’s very realistic. Using dramatic prompts in class is a beautiful way to help children feel more confident.

Human Rights Day is just around the corner, and it’s as important as ever to celebrate and promote our fundamental human rights. Human Rights Day was established on the 10th of December 1950, two years after the day that the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since then, the 10th of December has served as an opportunity to campaign and hold world leaders to account in defense of the rights outlined in that landmark document. To help you get into the spirit of things, we’ve compiled a list of 12 Human Rights Day sayings and quotes from some of the most inspirational human rights campaigners from history.

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” – Nelson Mandela

In South Africa, a system of racial segregation called apartheid was in place from 1948 to the early 1990s. Nelson Mandela led the African National Congress to fight this system of injustice and was imprisoned for nearly thirty years. When he was finally released, efforts to end apartheid continued, leading to the country’s first multiracial general election. He went on to serve as South Africa’s first Black head of state and is still considered one of history’s most significant human rights activists.

“A right delayed is a right denied.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and social justice activist who, as one of the leading figures of the American Civil Rights Movement, campaigned for the equal rights of African Americans.  He inspired countless individuals to stand up for the human rights of Black people everywhere with his principles of civil disobedience and non-violent protest. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom after he was assassinated in 1968.

“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant.” – Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel was a Holocaust survivor who advocated for human rights. By his death in 2016, he had written fifty-seven books, some of which drew directly from his experiences as a Jewish prisoner in concentration camps. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, and this quote is from his acceptance speech in which he expressed his belief in the importance of standing up for human rights, regardless of where violations occur and to whom.

“Activism works. So what I’m telling you to do now is to act. Because no one is too small to make a difference.” – Greta Thunberg

One of the world’s youngest and most famous activists today, Greta Thunberg’s blunt and direct challenges to world leaders to tackle climate change have made her an icon for campaigners against our persistent exploitation of the natural world. With the displacement of communities due to climate change already becoming an issue, it’s not hard to argue that the climate crisis is a human rights issue as much as an environmental one. Greta’s inspiring example gives us hope that we can incite change by speaking out.

“It means a great deal to those oppressed to know they are not alone. Never let anyone tell you that what you are doing is insignificant.” – Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu is a South African theologian famous for his work as a human rights activist and for fighting apartheid in his home country. He worked alongside Nelson Mandela in the 1990s to negotiate an end to racial segregation and has since been an outspoken campaigner against other human rights violations, including LGBTQ+ rights. While serving as the Archbishop of Cape Town – the most senior position in the Anglican church in Southern Africa – he oversaw the introduction of female priests into the church.

“My silence has not protected me. Your silence will not protect you.” – Audre Lorde

Audre Lorde was an American writer and social justice activist. Describing herself as “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” her poetry and prose communicated the powerful outrage she felt at seeing the countless civil and social injustices in the world around her. Through writing, campaigning and performance, Lorde dedicated her life to, in her own words,  “confronting and addressing injustices of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia.”

“Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai, more commonly known simply as Malala, is a Pakistani human rights activist and advocate for female education. After she spoke out against the Taliban’s ban on women attending school in the area of Pakistan where she lived, she was the victim of a failed assassination attempt, which resulted in her having to be treated in a hospital in Birmingham. After she recovered, she continued her campaign for the right to education and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. She was the youngest-ever recipient of the award.

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, and equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.” –  Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She was a keen activist and campaigner for social justice during this time. Even after her husband – US President Franklin D. Roosevelt – passed away, she continued her tireless work for the rights of people everywhere and was made the US delegate to the United Nations, where she played a pivotal role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This landmark document defines our human rights to this day, and the adoption of which is commemorated by Human Rights Day.

“Another world is not only possible; she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” – Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy is the bestselling author of The God of Small Things (1997). An eloquent and passionate advocate for the protection of human rights, she has written countless essays on politics and culture and is an outspoken opponent of war and imperialism. This quote is from her 2003 collection of essays, War Talk – an inspiring reminder to have hope in the face of adversity.

“The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be either good or evil.” – Hannah Arendt

Hannah Arendt was a German philosopher who wrote extensively on totalitarianism, power, and the nature of evil. Being a Jewish woman living in Germany during Hitler’s rise to power, she was forced to flee her home, eventually settling in New York. The above quote comes from her most famous work about the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the key organizers of the Holocaust. She coined the phrase ‘the banality of evil’ to describe what she saw in Eichmann as a combination of ambition and complacency rather than what we would typically think pure evil or fanaticism. This was not to say that there was anything normal or forgivable about his actions, but instead that they served as a warning that the most brutal human rights violation of the 20th century was arguably brought about in part by a simple lack of action. Arendt’s words remind us to defend human dignity and question and challenge systems that threaten to strip human beings of their fundamental rights.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin

The American writer and activist James Baldwin grew up in Harlem, New York City, witnessing first-hand the consequences of racial inequality in America. Throughout his career, he wrote countless essays and novels exploring the psychological effects of racism for both the victims and perpetrators and issues surrounding masculinity and sexuality. He was a master of uncovering the uncomfortable truths of racism in America, becoming an active participant in the civil rights movement. His message of unflinchingly challenging unjust systems sadly still rings true today.

“I recognize no rights but human rights – I know nothing of men’s rights and women’s rights.” – Angelina Grimke

Perhaps one of the less familiar names on this list, Angelina Grimke, was an American political activist during the 19th century. She was a prominent women’s rights advocate, a supporter of women’s suffrage, and, perhaps most remarkably, one of only two White female abolitionists active in the American South before the abolition of slavery – the other was her sister. She is a truly inspirational figure who only in recent years started to receive the recognition she deserves.

A biography (sometimes called a bio) is a nonfiction account of someone’s life.

The bare bones of a bio will usually include their date of birth, essential aspects of their life, and their current impact on society (whether they are still alive or have since passed).

However, biographies are much more than just a list of facts about a person. They intend to pull you into their lives, telling you intimate details about their relationships, work, personality, and hobbies – you leave having a greater understanding of who they are or were. What was it like to be their friend? What was it like to be married to them? What kind of impact did they have on their work?

Types of Biographies

We already know that a biography is an account of somebody’s life written by someone other than the biography’s subject. But there are a few different types that you may come across.

 Authorized biography

An authorized biography is written with permission from the subject of the biography. With this type of biography, the author will usually interview the issue and people close to the topic. The problem typically has more control over the information presented in these biographies.

 Autobiography

Alternatively, if you feel you can take on the task yourself, you’re about to write an autobiography! The subject writes this type of biography about their own life. These can be placed into four broad categories: thematic, religious, intellectual, and fictionalized.

 Memoir

Memoirs are similar to autobiographies. They are written by the subject about their own life, although memories often focus more on the people in the subject’s life and the effect they’ve had on the subject.

The purpose of biographies

Information for courses

Biographies are fantastic sources of information for almost any subject. You can fit a biography into practically every area of your curriculum. Need to learn more about black holes? Read a biography on Steven Hawking or Albert Einstein. Maybe you want to learn more about the horrific slave trade in early America. Innumerable biographies are written about enslaved people who fought to free the enslaved.

Provides inspiration

Biographies are an excellent source of inspiration. You can learn details about the lives of people of significant influence and success. Students can be given examples of people who changed the world and looked like them or came from similar backgrounds. Biographies can show children that failure and hardship are part of bringing change to the world.

Teaches life lessons

Biographies are excellent examples of life lessons. They can help teach children how to solve complex life problems, such as persevering to achieve goals, maintaining a proper perspective, listening and learning from others, dealing with failure, and developing a love for learning.

Elements of a biography

You will be able to identify a biography by determining whether it has these features or not:

• Describe the life of a natural person.
• Written in the past tense.
• Use third-person pronouns.
• Use the passive voice.
• Information is factual.
• The story is told with respect.
• Develops a person as a natural and exciting person rather than a stereotype or caricature.

Five biography activity examples that you can use with your children!

Donald Trump

This biography details the 45th President of the United States’ life, including his father’s success in real estate, his three marriages, and his journey to becoming president. This biography can be used for social studies lessons or to educate your children about the current president. In addition, your students will learn fun facts about President Trump that they will use to write a short essay or answer a few reading comprehension questions!

David Crockett

David Crockett (more commonly known as Davy Crockett) was a soldier and politician known as the “King of the Wild Frontier.” He grew up in Tennessee and was known there for his engaging storytelling. He fought in the Battle of the Alamo after being captured by the Mexican army and was an important figure in the Texas Revolution.

Betsy Ross

Betsy Ross is known for sewing the very first American Flag. She became a patriotic icon in the late 19th century after sewing the Stars and Stripes flag. With this activity, you learn all kinds of interesting facts about Betsy Ross, such as that her story didn’t become popular until 50 years after her death when her grandson published her report in a newspaper. This activity also leaves room for your children to answer a few reading comprehension questions.

Hillary Clinton

One of the most influential women in American politics, Hillary Clinton, is well known for running for President of the United States in 2015 and her time as First Lady of the White House while her husband served as President from 1992 to 1996

Joe Biden

Joe Biden is known for being the current President-Elect, soon to be the 46th President of the United States. He served as the Vice President from 2008 to 2015 during the Obama Administration.

Germination is the process by which seeds begin to grow into plants. Germination can take one to two weeks for the whole circle to finish.

The parts of a seed

Before we dive into germination and the process of seeds becoming larger organisms, let’s rundown the different parts of a seed. The inside of a seed is made up of four essential elements:

• The Epicotyl is the part of the seed that becomes the plant’s first leaves.
• The Hypocotyl: This is the stem of the plant.
• The Radicle: This is the first root of the plant.
• The Cotyledon: This is the protective inner layer of the seed. Its primary function is to store food for the seed to use during germination until the seed has fully broken through the soil. At this point, the seed will have leaves and can get food through photosynthesis.

Steps of seed germination

There are several different stages that seeds must go through during the process of germination. Three key steps in this process are:

• Imbibition: During this step, the seed absorbs water rapidly, and its coat swells and softens.
• Interim or lag phase: The seed cells begin to respire during this step. The seed also starts to make proteins and metabolize its food stores.
• The radicle and root emergence: During this step, the cells in the seed begin to get longer and divide. This draws the root and radicle out of the seed.

What things does a seed need to grow?

Like human beings and animals, seeds are living things. As such, they need certain things to grow. Firstly, a seed must contain living, healthy embryonic tissue to enter the germination process. Without this, the seed will not be able to grow at all. This is the first of a few things that a seed needs to grow. The others are as follows:

• Water: The first thing a seed needs to grow is water. Seeds need access to much water to go through the imbibition stage.
• Oxygen: Next up is oxygen. Oxygen operates as the seed’s primary energy source throughout the growth process. If a basis is buried too deep into the soil, it won’t be able to access sufficient oxygen to grow.
• Temperature: Lastly, seeds need to be placed at the right temperature to grow. The temperature is necessary depending on what seed is germinated. Some seeds only grow in warm temperatures, while others only grow in the cold.

Let’s dive a little deeper into the things that seeds need to grow.

The right environment

For a seed to successfully go through the germination process, it must be in the right environment. This means that the temperature, moisture, air, and light around the seed must all be right.

• Temperature

The perfect temperature for germination varies depending on the seed. However, all seeds have a specific temperature range in which they can germinate. It can be damaged if the seed is exposed to anything outside this range, either below the minimum or above the maximum temperature. It can also cause the seed to enter a dormant state.

• Moisture and oxygen

In the processes leading up to germination, seeds need the exact right moisture level in the surrounding soil. There also needs to be a good level of aeration for seeds to grow. This allows for efficient gas exchange between the germinating embryo and the earth. As mentioned before, seeds are living things, meaning that they respire. They need to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide to do this.

A seed’s ability to respire is closely linked to the moisture levels in the soil. If the soil is overwatered, there will not be enough room for the carbon dioxide to move away from the seeds. This will, in turn, cause the seed to suffocate and die.

• Light

Much like temperature, the light requirements of seeds vary greatly. Some seeds require dark conditions to germinate correctly, and their growth will be. However, other seed species rely on lots of light to go through the germination process.

The light requirements for seeds and seedlings are different. It is important not to get the two confused. While not all seeds need the same light to grow, all seedlings require sunlight. If not exposed to enough light, seedlings will become fragile and not grow to their full potential.

Seed dormancy

Even if a seed is considered viable and given all the things it needs to grow, there is still a chance that it will not germinate. This is down to something called ‘dormancy.’ Seed dormancy is a condition that stops seeds from going through the process of germination, even when they are exposed to all of the suitable needs. So, why does seed dormancy happen?

Seed dormancy is not a mistake but a clever trick to keep seeds safe. In nature, the germination process is staggered to save some seedlings safe from potential dangers, like bad weather or predators. For example, the seeds of plants that thrive in spring have decided only to germinate after the cold winter weather has passed. This is an act of self-preservation.

How do seeds break out of seed dormancy? For seeds to leave their period of inactivity, their physical or chemical dormancy factors must be broken. For example, some examples have  Other seeds that possess certain chemical conditions within them that stop germination from happening. This is a chemical dormancy factor.

Uneven germination

Now, we know the different things a need needs to grow and germinate. We know that if they are not exposed to the necessary conditions, seeds will struggle to grow and may germinate slowly and unevenly. Are there any other factors that can impact the germination process for seeds? Yes, uneven germination can also cause many issues with growing seeds. When it comes to planting seeds, uniformity is critical. If seeds are planted unevenly, the germination process will be negatively affected.

Five easy steps for planting your seeds

At this point, you’re pretty much an expert in seed growth and germination. You know what things a seed needs to grow. However, if you want to put your, This is a great activity to carry out with your class to help them visualize the germination process.

• Step 1: Check your timing

The first step in planting your seeds is to get the timing right. It would help if you analyzed the weather outside to determine the best time to plant your seeds. The goal is to grow your seeds to be ready to be transferred out when the weather is favorable. This timing will vary from source to seed, so it is best to look up the optimal growing conditions for your specific seeds.

If you are working with vegetable seeds, some of these are best planted outside from the jump. These seeds germinate, grow super quickly, and don’t require any time indoors. This is also the case for some flower seeds.

• Step 2: Get your soil ready

Before planting your seeds, ensure your soil is nice and moist. Remember not to overwater your soil, as this will suffocate the seeds! Once you’ve done this, you can fill your containers with the ground.

• Step 3: Start planting

Depending on what type of seeds you are working with, the depth at which they must be planted will vary. Some smaller sources don’t need to be buried deeply at all. These seeds only need to be sprinkled on the surface of the soil to grow. Larger seeds, however, must be planted more profoundly into the ground.

Once your seeds have been planted, you can lightly water the containers. If you want to keep the moisture in the soil, you can cover your containers with cling film. Remember to remove this cover once the seeds show signs of green.

• Step 4: Water, food, and light

This growth step is about observing and staying on top of your seed’s needs. This will involve frequently watering your soil to keep it moist, feeding your seeds with fertilizer, and ensuring your seedlings get plenty of light.

• Step 5: Planting out

Once you can see that your seeds have sprouted their first few leaves and are big enough to handle without damaging them, they are ready to be planted in individual pots. The seeds aren’t prepared for the whole garden expert at this stance. They still need a little more time inside to get strong.

For around a week before you plant your seeds in the garden, you should place them in a protected area outside for a few hours a day, taking them inside at night. Over this week, expose your seeds to more and more light and wind, and they will grow big and strong.

Once this week is up, your seeds are ready to plant outside in the garden, where they will grow into beautiful plants!

A character study analyzes an individual’s characteristics, typically a character from a piece of literature. In addition, character studies often explore archetypes, such as brave heroes and cruel villains.

A character study is an exercise where you analyze and examine the characteristics and traits of a personality, usually from a book, film, or TV show. Writers have been providing us with the joys of literature for millennia, so there is no shortage of excellent characters for children to analyze and study.

When writing a character study, children can choose an individual or have one assigned by a teacher. They can then delve deep into creating a character study for their chosen subject.

Here’s a lovely introduction to analyzing material for your character study that you may want to introduce to your students before getting down to the finer details:

Reading books builds knowledge

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

How to write a character study in simple steps:

First, choose an interesting character:

This could be your favorite person from a book or film. Try to choose a delightful character to study. As teachers, you can also assign children which characters you would like them to learn more about, depending on your teaching topic.

Take notes while reading

If you haven’t read the book yet, you can make notes on your choice as you read! If your character study is from a book you have already read, you can quickly go back through the book to find specific descriptions and key points for that character to help write the character study.

Writing a character study – a top tip:

“Let’s start at the very beginning.
A perfect place to start.” – Maria von Trapp, The Sound Of Music

Introduction

Always start writing a character study with an introduction. Who is your chosen character, what is their story, and why have you chosen to learn about them?

A good introduction should always make a reader want to read more. Briefly describe your chosen character and why you decided to study them.

Describe your character’s appearance

From their crowned heads, robed shoulders, knobbly knees, and bare toes, children should note all the exciting things about a character’s appearance and write them down in the character study.

What makes your character unique? Do they have anything that makes them stand out? Do they have pink hair, a large scar, or oversized glasses?

For example, Harry Potter has a lightning bolt-shaped scar on his head. This is a critical plot point in the book series. Long John Silver often wore an eyepatch – because he was a pirate.

Describe your character’s personality

When we read a book, words come to life, and we get to know a character by the things they say and do. Does your character have any interesting personality quirks?

For example, Dr. Seuss’ Fox in Socks likes to speak in quick rhymes. This makes him effective as a character because it helps children to practice phonics, pronunciation, and language skills. Below is the start of Dr. Seuss’ ‘Fox in Socks.’

Fox

Socks

Box

Knox

Knox in the box.

Fox in socks.

Knox on fox in socks in the box.

Socks on Knox and Knox in the box.

Fox in socks on the box on Knox.

Examples of familiar character types:

• Flat: flat characters are two-dimensional and have one or two simple character personality traits. They are usually minor players used to help the hero or move the plot along.
• Rounded: a rounded character is three-dimensional and has many complex personality traits that develop and change throughout the writing. This usually shows growth within a person or creature and helps to propel the story forward. Most main characters should be rounded.
• Stock, or stereotype: stock characters are stereotypes or clichés. For example – miserly, older men like Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol, bad-tempered headmistresses like Miss Trunchbull from Matilda, and traditional roles such as princesses, pirates, wizards, and goblins.

• Static character: a static character does not change throughout the narrative. They do not learn or grow and are usually background characters.
• Dynamic character: a dynamic character changes and grows as they move through the plot. They respond to events and experiences and can change their behavior to become a better person or, in some cases, a worse person. A good character always goes through some transformation; it’s how people become superheroes – or supervillains!

Describe your character’s background

Think about their history and where they came from. Did they show up one day in a basket on someone’s doorstep? Did they fall from the heavens and become part of the human race? Or were they just born in a hospital?

What does your character bring to the plot?

What happens to your character throughout the story? For example – in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice undergoes many changes. Sometimes physically, usually emotionally, hardly ever logically. One minute she’s as big as a house; the next, she’s as tiny as a caterpillar. This is all very curious and makes us want to read more, but Alice also learns from her actions and grows within the narrative.

“I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.” – Alice

Try to think about what type of person they are and how they fit into the story’s world. For example, is a protagonist or an Are they a hero or a villain? Are they somewhere in-between?

Protagonist – the hero of the story!

The protagonist is the main character in a story. If you have chosen the protagonist for your character study, you should have a lot to talk about.

• In “Peter Pan,” Peter Pan is the protagonist.
• In “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” Alice is the protagonist.
• In “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy is the protagonist.

Antagonist – the big baddie!

The antagonist is a character that everyone loves to hate. An antagonist directly opposes the protagonist. Or in some cases, the antagonist can be an obstacle, entity, or force that represents a challenge for the main character to overcome.

• In “Peter Pan,” Captain Hook is the antagonist.
• In “Watership Down,” humans and the progression of society is the antagonist, causing obstacles against nature and the animals’ way of life.

Character study – conclusion

Like putting the icing on a delicious cake, a reasonable conclusion binds everything together and finishes it neatly. When writing a character study, it’s always necessary to end with a decision. Sum up your points and explain what you have learned about your character.

Fun characters for children to learn about and make their character studies about:

Early Years Characters

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• The Rainbow Fish
• Mog
• The Gruffalo.

Roald Dahl

• Charlie Bucket
• Willy Wonka
• Matilda
• Esio Trot
• Danny, Champion of the World
• Fantastic Mr. Fox
• The BFG.

“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly… if you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams, and you will always look lovely.” – The Twits, Roald Dahl

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss’s books are always a good choice, as Dr. Seuss was a master of words and a lyrical genius. Children engage with the characters through rhythm, rhyme, and excellent visuals.

• The Lorax
• Fox in Socks
• Sam, I Am
• The Grinch
• The Cat in the Hat.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

The classic story of Alice is a great one to use in the classroom. Full of zany characters and unique ways with words that children will cherish forever.

• Alice
• The Mad Hatter
• The Cheshire Cat
• The Queen of Hearts.

Peter Pan

• Peter Pan
• Wendy
• Captain Hook.

The Wizard of Oz

• Dorothy
• The Lion
• The Scarecrow
• The Tin Man
• The Wicked Witch.

At the height of its power, the Mongol Empire map spanned a whopping 9 million square miles, which made it the largest contiguous land empire in the history of the world.

The beginning of the Mongol Empire

The beginning of the Mongol Empire is centered around the actions of one man: Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan, known throughout his childhood as Temüjin, was the son of a Mongol leader, i.e., a chieftain. He was always interested in military strategy and power and spent his formative years developing his skills by working with Toghrul Khan of the Kerait.

At this time, the most powerful Mongol leader was Kurtait, who became known as ‘Wang Khan, with ‘Wang’ meaning ‘King.’ As a young man, Temüjin went to war with this famous leader and won in an impressive display of military prowess. This victory was the first step in Temüjin’s climb to power, and it was after this he gave himself the name Genghis Khan. Once he had assumed his new title, Genghis expanded his Mongol state under himself and his family.

Genghis Khan had several rules for those living under his control. One of these was that people were banned from stealing from their enemies without his direct position. Moreover, he put in place a policy in which the spoils of war would be shared with his warriors and their families, as opposed to giving it all to the aristocrats. Unfortunately, these new laws and policies were not popular with everyone and brought him into conflict with members of his own family. As a result, a sense of discontent began to spread amongst the Mongol people, and many who had previously sided with Genghis Khan began to break off their allegiance. The result of this was war.

Genghis Khan and his remaining supporters took victory in this war, which spanned from 1203 to 1205. All rival tribes were defeated in this war, and the entire Mongol Empire was brought under his control. Finally, in 1206, Genghis was o Here, and his title of Genghis Khan became official, which means ‘universal leader.’ This was different from older tribal titles which previous leaders had assumed, such as Gur Khan or Tayang Khan, and marked the official start of the Mongol Empire.

Military tactics

Having great military tactics is one of the main things the Mongol Empire was known for. The Mongol armies, led by Genghis Khan and his successors, were primarily made up of cavalry, which allowed them a great deal of mobility and speed in battle. In addition, the army was highly organized, giving them an edge over their enemies.

In terms of weapons, the Mongol armies favored the bow and arrow and resorted to hand-to-hand conflict after completely disbanding the enemy’s ranks. In addition, the Mongol troops preferred fighting on open plains and flat land areas, as this environment was much better suited to their military tactics.

Another reason why the Mongol armies were so victorious was their clever use of spies and propaganda. They would often trick their enemies by voluntarily surrendering and offering peace before launching their attack. If their offer of peace were accepted, the enemy population would be spared by the Mongol armies. However, if the enemy refused, the Mongol troops spared no one; everyone was killed or enslaved.

The organization of Genghis Khan’s empire

A lot of the success of the Mongol Empire lies in its organization. Socially, the organization of the Mongol people revolved around pastoralism, where ​​livestock was released onto large pastures for grazing, and a patrilineal system of clans, in which children would automatically belong to the same clan as their father.

As the Mongol Empire expanded and absorbed new civilizations, they attempted to impose their system of the societal organization on the new people groups. All pre-existing social structures and political divisions in the conquered land would be completely disregarded in favor of the Mongol system. It was also common for the Mongols to enslave a conquered tribe and give entire communities of enslaved people to military leaders as a gift. In the conquered areas of the Mongol Empire, large groups of the population became the personal property of the Mongol army leaders. These leaders would completely exploit these people groups.

The central power in the Mongol Empire belonged to the khan, who would be supported and assisted by various military and political councilors. The khan individually appointed all the councilors, and they held significant influence.

Religion in the Mongol Empire

When Genghis Khan was in control of the Mongol Empire, he and a number of his successors put restrictions on any religious practices that they viewed as strange. These restrictions were placed on the entirety of the Mongol Empire, including the conquered lands. Unfortunately, this led many people, including Muslims and Jews, to secretly carry out their religious practices.

The death of Genghis Khan and the rule of Ögedei

On the 18th of August, 1227, Genghis Khan died. By this point, the Mongol Empire’s map stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Caspian Sea, making it twice the size of other influential empires like the Roman Empire. Genghis named his third son, Ögedei, as his successor and heir to the kingdom. In keeping with Mongol tradition, the resting place of Genghis Khan was kept secret. Ögedei did not assume power immediately. Instead, his younger brother, Tolui, took the regent role until Ögedei was officially elected in 1229.

As a ruler, Ögedei did not wait to exercise his new power. One of his first actions was to send out troops to conquer several different people groups, including the Bashkirs, Bulgars, and other nations. Under Ögedei’s leadership, the Mongol armies managed to re-establish Mongol authority in Manchuria and, in doing so, destroyed the Eastern Xia regime. In 1230, Ögedei led the Mongol army in a military campaign against the Jin dynasty of China, which was a success for the Mongol Empire. In 1232, during the campaign, Ögedei’s general, Subutai, captured the capital of Emperor Wanyan Shouxu in the siege of Kaifeng. Emperor Wanyan Shouxu escaped two years later, in 1234 when the Mongols took the town of Caizhou, where he was staying. With this, the Jin dynasty collapsed. In the same year, Ögedei’s sons Kochu and Koten and the Tangut general Chagan led three armies to invade Southern China.

Several Han Chinese and Khitan people sided with the Mongols to join the fight against the Jin dynasty. Amongst these people defecting to the Mongols were 2 Han Chinese leaders, Shi Tianze and Liu Heima, and the Khitan Xiao Zhala.

Electing a new Khan after Ögedei

The process of electing a new khan after Ögedei was a complicated one. No one could agree on who should rule as Ögedei’s successor. While the decision was being made, Ögödei’s widow, Töregene, ruled from 1242 to 1246. Töregene desired that her son Güyük be elected as khan, but this was met with strong opposition from Batu, who was a descendant of Genghis’s eldest son. Batu believed that his claim to power was much stronger than Güyük’s. Finally, töregene got her to wish, and Güyük was elected as the khan in 1246. Güyük and Batu were highly different people and rulers. Güyük, on the one hand, openly favored Christian advisers and was heavily influenced by the Christian sect, ​​Nestorianism.

In contrast, Batu abided by traditional Mongol shamanism and completely disregarded all outside religions. Their differences led to conflict between the two men, and they began preparing for war. However, these preparations stopped when Güyük passed away in 1248 at just 42. Güyük’s death marked the end of the feud with Batu and all possibility of the Mongol Empire being ruled by a Christian leader.

In the wake of his death, the Mongol Empire was controlled by Güyük’s widow, Oghul Qaimish. She ruled as regent for three years while the nobles tried to agree on who should be appointed as the new khan. Batu, of course, put himself forward as a candidate but eventually gave up trying due to old age. Knowing that he had no hopes of ruling the Mongol Empire, Batu put his efforts into getting Borjigin Möngke elected. Batu persuaded the Mongol nobles to vote for Borjigin Möngke, another grandson of Genghis Khan. The result was that the rule of the Mongol Empire transferred from the house of Ögödei to the descendants of Genghis Khan’s youngest son, Tolui.

The Mongol Empire’s unique mailing system

The mailing system is a part of society that often gets overlooked but is crucial in keeping people connected. The Mongol Empire had a super unique mailing system allowing people to communicate quickly and efficiently. This mailing system is commonly known as ‘the Yam.’ To send and receive messages using the Yam system, mail had to be passed between well-guarded relay posts, known as örtöö. These posts were set up all across the map of the Mongol Empire but not overly close together.

For this reason, messengers would have to travel around 25 miles (ca. 40 km) to get from one post to the next. Thankfully, they tended to travel on horseback, not on foot, so the journey wasn’t too long. At the next post, the messenger would either receive a fresh horse, as theirs would be pretty tired by that point or pass on their message to a new messenger who would carry on the next leg of the journey. While this may seem complicated and lengthy compared to our modern method of delivering messages, it was swift and innovative for the time being.

On average, Mongol riders would travel around 125 miles (ca. 201 km) daily to deliver messages. This is much faster than the Pony Express, a similar mailing system set up in America 600 years later. Each relay post throughout the Mongol Empire had a household service attached to it. Anyone who carried a paiza, a tablet taken by Mongol officials and envoys to signify that they had certain privileges and authority, could stop at these posts, re-mount their horses, and enjoy some specified rations.

Mongolians were not the only ones to use their efficient mailing system. Many merchants, messengers, and voyagers from China, the Middle East, and Europe used the Yam.

The Mongol mailing system was expanded and developed over the years. The founder of the Yuan dynasty, Kublai Khan, played a significant role in expanding the Mongolian mailing system. He ordered a range of individual relay posts built for high officials and a range of ordinary ones. Throughout his reign, the system consisted of around 1,400 postal stations using 50,000 horses, 8,400 oxen, 6,700 mules, 4,000 carts, and 6,000 boats.

Number facts are simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, sometimes referred to as number bonds.

Children learn these basic facts between the ages of 4 and 10. Throughout their primary school experience, they will be taught these key facts and encouraged to practice and memorize them until they can be recalled instantly with little working out.

Why are Number Facts Important?

Number facts are essential for your child to learn because they form the building blocks for higher-level Maths skills.

Adding and subtracting large numbers, long multiplication, and division, telling the time, and counting money are all concepts of Maths that children will encounter early on in their life. Therefore, if they have mastered number facts, they will find it easier to solve problems more quickly and understand the relationship between numbers, like 4-2=2 because of 2+2=4.

Top Tips for Teaching Number Facts in the Classroom

Teach a limited number of facts at a time

If students have too much to remember at once, they won’t be able to recognize the answers.

Add more facts after the previous ones have been mastered

You can add two or three more when a student learns a set of points.

Make practice cumulative

Structure the teaching in a way that introduces new facts and previously mastered information.

Memorize facts to create a verbal chain

Students should practice by saying the answer aloud. This way, students can memorize a verbal chain in which they visualize and hear the solution to the equation.

Keep practice sessions short

It’s hard for students to focus for more than 4 minutes. So spread the sessions throughout the day.

Real-life Advice from Teachers

The (Un)official Teacher’s Manual: What They Don’t Teach You in Training by Omar Akbar

This ‘off the record’ guide to teaching is a compilation of everything you wished you’d been taught before setting foot in the classroom. If you’re new to education, it’s a tremendous no-nonsense run-down of what you’re getting into (and how to own it).

This book is charmingly written and easy to read. Akbar doesn’t focus on all that curriculum-ish stuff you find in other teaching books. As he says, he’s much too busy for that (after all, he is a teacher). So instead, he cuts right to the heart of the matter. Practical, unapologetic, and valuable. A solid way to prepare yourself for heading back to school, either for the first or umpteenth time.

I Wish My Teacher Knew by Kyle Schwartz

Sometimes reading the personal revelations of other teachers is a great way to prepare yourself to return to school.

An activity inspired by this book Kyle Schwarz did with her students. She asked them to finish the sentence “I wish my teacher knew…” during a lesson. The answers she got back shocked her, and she felt compelled to share their wishes with the world. So she did: first through social media and then, eventually, through this book.

Throughout the book, Schwarz shares her thoughts on these emotional experiences she has had with her students. She also looks closely at the issues they helped open her eyes to. In doing so, she gives them a voice worth listening to.

Learner-Centered Innovation: Spark Curiosity, Ignite Passion, and Unleash Genius by Dr. Katie Martin

Has anyone been told as a little kid that caterpillars turn into butterflies? It sounded ridiculous. Lovely try, Mum, you almost got me.

Things are different now. Living in an age where information is right at our fingertips, we don’t always take the time to sit and wonder. Why would we? Let’s Google it.

Martin argues that teaching isn’t about answering students’ questions but fanning their spark of curiosity. Creativity happens when children have the time to ponder, think and explore. The ability to ask questions like ‘what if’ will lead children towards lifelong learning. The problem is creativity isn’t always the priority in schools. Martin calls for a shift from goals like test scores to innovation and problem-solving with this book. It’s an eye-opening read and a real page-turner.

Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy

If you’re a sucker for a good story – Clanchy has loads of them! After all, she is a teacher. Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me is an honest, opinionated, insightful book of essays. It takes no detective to deduce that Clanchy loves the profession and is keen to share her stories with you. Her articles share personal anecdotes and poetry that open a window into the life of a teacher. All you have to do is take a peek!

An engaging read which inspires reflection. This book will have you reflecting on your own meaningful experiences in the classroom and itching to make more of them.

Practical Guides to Teaching and Learning

Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension by Sara K. Ahmed

Has a student ever asked you a question about social issues, but you haven’t known how to respond? Perhaps on politics, gender, race, religion, or sexuality?

These conversations can be uncomfortable – but that doesn’t mean we should avoid them. Being the Change is about giving teachers the skills to handle these situations. Why? Because students need to be familiar with social issues as they prepare to leave school and head into the world. This book will help you empower them through social literacy and candid conversations. According to Ahmed, ‘social comprehension’ is essential for students to become agents of positive change.

Being the Change is full of practical strategies, activities, and lessons easily transferable to the classroom. Cultivate empathy and empower your students by being the change you wish to see in the world.

Structuring Drama Work by Jonothan Neelands and Tony Goode

You may be thinking, “but I don’t teach drama.” Or maybe you do! But either way, this book can help any teacher eager to breathe new life into their lesson plans. It’s full of fresh ideas for adding dramatic twists to everyday lessons.

Studying a character in a novel? Oh, look! A backpack of their belongings just showed up in the classroom. What a fun (and convenient) conversation starter. Or maybe you’re learning about photosynthesis. Wouldn’t it be nice to chat with a plant and ask it how it works? Well, thanks to hot seating – anything’s possible.

Adding a touch of drama to your lessons can also help engage students who learn best through active, hands-on activities. This book is full of innovative suggestions and an easy recommendation for any teacher looking for inspiration.

Love to Teach by Kate Jones

Thoroughly researched, easy to read, and full of great ideas – Love to Teach will leave you itching to get back in the classroom. The tips and tricks in this book will have you approaching your lessons in a whole new way. They’re fun and straightforward and will make you wonder why you have never tried them.

It’s worth noting that Jones doesn’t list many activities for us to use willy-nilly. But first, she helps us understand the science of how we learn and how that knowledge can change the way we teach.

Her passion leaps off the page, and her enthusiasm is highly contagious. Get ready to catch it! Your lessons will never be the same again.

A Novel Approach: Whole-Class Novels, Student-Centered Teaching, and Choice by Kate Roberts

Teaching whole-class novels come with its fair share of controversy. While some teachers love it, others view it as a teacher-directed approach that ignores the wants and needs of students. Roberts believes you can have it both ways: challenge students with a complex text AND nurture passionate readers.

In A Novel Approach, Roberts looks at the pros and cons of teaching whole-class novels. She also offers a practical framework for teaching reading with a student-centered approach. She stresses the importance of teaching ‘skills’ over ‘books’ and creating lessons that benefit every student.

This is one of the best educational books for teachers who want to turn their students into influential independent readers.

180 Days: Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents by Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle

Did you know that teachers make approximately 1,500 decisions a day? More – probably. Cue the question that every teacher has been asked at some point in their careers: How do you fit it all in? When Gallaher and Kittle were asked this question, they decided to find the answer.

Firstly, they worked together to identify ‘what matters most.’ They then mapped out 180 days of teaching, where they made this a priority. As a result, 180 Days is a great educational book for teachers of any subject and year level. Thought-provoking and inspiring, this book will send you on a mission to make every school year better than the last.

Behavior Management

When the Adults Change Everything Changes by Paul Dix

Rules, expectations, strategies Paul Dix has heard it all. But in this book, he implores you to trade your behavior management toolbox for something else: kindness, patience, and connection.

That sounds great. But how do we create these beautiful classrooms filled with respect? Dix believes the answer lies in making the right culture in your classroom. We need a revolution in behavior, and to get there, the adults (that’s us) must be the ones to change. This will mean being consistent in our consistency and finally admitting that students aren’t the only ones who need to work on their behavior.

This gem of a book is written with wry humor to keep a smile on your face and some very worthwhile lessons to keep in mind.

Behavior Management Pocketbook by Peter Hook and Andy Vass

Ever wished you could reach into your pocket and pull out the perfect behavior management strategy? Well, this little book will allow you to do just that.

Fitting nicely in your pocket, this handy book is full of straightforward advice for teachers on the go. With an emphasis on mutual respect, the tips in this book are practical and easy to understand. It’s also organized so you can quickly flick through it in a (non-emergent) behavioral emergency. Perfect for reading as a refresher over the holidays and keeping on hand when you return to school.

Take Control of the Noisy Class by Rob Plevin 

Standing in front of a noisy class, trying (and failing) to get their attention, is a position every teacher can relate to. Plevin was no different. But through trial and error, talking to colleagues and (more importantly) students, he’s pulled together these usable techniques that any teacher can use to take control of a classroom.

This book is a carefully crafted roadmap to classroom management. In it, Plevin talks us through step-by-step routine teachers can use with their noisiest classes. His approach is essential to make students feel valued and empowered, so they don’t need to act out. He also believes in bringing fun to them so they don’t make their own.

This book on behavior management is a great way to make things easier for yourself. Put an end to the daily struggles and confrontations with challenging students. Learn to be responsive, not reactive.

Brush Up Your Communication Skills

Talk to Me: Find the Right Words to Inspire, Encourage and Get Things Done By Kim Bearden

Disgruntled parents. Moody colleagues. Cold bosses. We’ve all had interactions with people that aren’t so pleasant.

However, this beautifully written book on communication offers us a new perspective. Using examples from her experiences in education, Bearden teaches us how to talk our way toward positive outcomes. Her approach is broken down into six learnable steps, which she walks us through with great care. She stresses the importance of listening with empathy and pure intentions throughout Talk to Me. She then illustrates these ideas with touching anecdotes, emphasizing that there’s more to people than meets the eye.

Whether you’re a teacher, headteacher, parent, student, or any other human, this book will make you a better talker and listener.

As well as being a teacher, Bearden is a co-founder and executive director of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. This school has a fantastic story. Take a minute to listen to it if you feel like a bit of inspiration.

Fewer Things, Better: The Courage to Focus on What Matters Most by Angela Watson

Teaching is no easy job. If you’re a teacher, know a teacher, or are training to be a teacher – this probably isn’t news to you. Watson gets it. She will not tell you to manage your time better, use productivity hacks or spread yourself thinner. Instead, she’ll help you find clarity, so you can figure out what matters most and do fewer things better.

This book will revolutionize how you think about spending your time and help you find a healthy work/life balance. Stop yourself from wasting time on the things that aren’t important, and learn to invest it in what is. One of the best educational books out there!

You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why it Matters by Kate Murphy

Speaking of listening! This isn’t specifically a book for teachers, but it may as well be. With humor, Murphy draws on her personal experiences as a journalist to teach us how to listen.

In an age of social media, where we often sneak glances at our smartphones during conversations, this book gives us a much-needed wake-up call. It’s time to start paying attention, tucking our phones into our pockets, and rediscovering our ability to connect.

Listening is essential not only in the classroom but in life. Pick up some tips for listening again and hearing stories from some of the world’s best listeners. This book will inspire you to pay closer attention to your colleagues, students, and friends and become happier.

Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett

How are you feeling? It’s a question often batted around by strangers, polite acquaintances, and close friends. But how often is the asker expecting an honest answer? How often are we permitted to feel?

Brackett doesn’t think it’s often enough. Looking closely at how kids feel in schools, he believes patterns need to be broken. This book calls for education to be remade so that emotion skills can become a priority. The bottom line is this: students need to understand better and express themselves. This means focusing on emotional literacy. If we do this right, professional interventions will no longer be necessary!

In Permission to Feel, Brackett has created a plan for educators to use with a handy acronym: RULER. This will help you break old patterns and embrace emotional well-being in the classroom. It’s a prescription you’ll want to pick up.

Cognitive Psychology and What Makes Us Tick

Why Don’t Students Like School? by Daniel T. Willingham

Yes, it’s a question teachers have been wrestling with since the beginning. Why don’t students like school? In this book, Willingham, a cognitive scientist, tackles it head-on. Literally. And by that, I mean he talks about brains.

Think about thinking in a way you’ve never thought of before. Understand your students better and get an insight into how their minds work. This book boils cognitive science down into nine principles you can use in the classroom. Accessible and demystifying. Find out what our brains like and don’t and how to keep them happy. A solid addition to your CPD shelf.

Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning by Patrice M. Bain and Pooja K. Agarwal

Leaps and bounds are being made in learning science, so it only makes sense for teachers to know more about it. Imagine having a practical go-to manual on how to apply cognitive science in the classroom. Well, here it is!

Powerful Teaching is the much-needed bridge between cognitive science and classroom practice. A treasure trove of insight – this book gives teachers ‘Power Tools’ for optimizing learning in all subjects and year levels. From day one, you’ll practice these tips and set your students up for success. Teach so it sticks, and add this book to your educational reading list for the summer. You won’t regret it.

Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel

Make it Stick is a popular book in educational reading circles, which lives up to the hype.

Written by two cognitive scientists and one storyteller, this book is an evident and evidence-based teacher guide. They’ve built it from three main ideas: learning requires memory, we must continue to learn throughout our lives, and learning’s an acquired skill.

Delve deep into the science of learning and pick up strategies to tailor the best educational experiences possible. Who doesn’t want that? This book is for anyone who wants to learn HOW to learn.

Understanding How We Learn: A Visual Guide by Yana Weinstein, Megan Sumeracki, and Oliver Caviglioli

Teachers these days rely primarily on their intuition in the classroom. However, science continues to show us that this isn’t always the most effective strategy. Until recent years, the evidence-based strategies discussed in academic circles haven’t made it to the classroom. Instead, teachers have been teaching themselves, learning from anecdotes and personal experiences.

In this guide for teachers, Weinstein and Sumeracki team up to make science accessible for those who need it: teachers and students. They collaborate with Caviglioli, who has created images, charts, and diagrams to illustrate these ideas visually.

The Roles and Responsibilities of the President

As Presidents’ Day approaches, it’s time to start discussing the roles and responsibilities of the President with your class! But where do you start? And how do you explain the president’s elusive and prestigious job title? Learn all of that and more here!

Who is the President?

Simply put, the President is the head of the state, government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces! The president is the head honcho of the US government. He is the spokesperson of the country, the signer of bills and laws, and the decider of various movements within the other branches of government.

As of 2020, the current President of the United States is Joe Biden! As a democratically elected position, the President is the voice of the people, meant to lead the country to the best of their ability for the good of the citizens of the USA. Because of this, the various roles and responsibilities of the president vary. To best understand these roles and responsibilities, you must first understand how the president comes to BE the president, the branches of the government, their role in deciding bills and laws, and how simply being the President can sway these various cogs and wheels within the US government!

How is the President Elected?

Electing a president is a bit more complicated than it may appear! The Electoral College is a combination of electors chosen from each state (and varying in numbers depending on the size of the population of that state) and the popular vote given by the American people.

For a President to be elected, they need at least 270 electors. Various other factors can make an election more exciting, like a candidate winning the popular vote but losing due to electors or the elections having to go to the House of Representatives for a final decision. Regardless, electing a president depends on workers within the Branches of the US Government, much like how the roles and responsibilities of the president are also reliant on these same branches. So, what are these branches?

What are the Branches of the US Government?

There are three branches of the US Government! This specific number of units is all thanks to the US Constitution, which was created to ensure power is distributed evenly throughout the branches to avoid corruption! These three branches are:

Legislative

The Legislative branch is in charge of lawmaking! Within this branch, we have the bodies of Congress (which is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives) and special agencies that support Congress’ various movements within lawmaking. Like electing the president, the American people can vote for their representatives in Congress through local and nationwide elections.

Executive

The Executive branch is in charge of carrying out laws! The bodies that make up this branch of government include the President, the Vice President, the Cabinet, which the president has appointed, and outside committees and federal agencies that support carrying out these laws. The Executive branch is the second step to a law or bill’s life, where it is reviewed by the higher powers of the land and edited before heading off to the Judicial branch. The president and vice president are elected by the American people, much like the members of Congress!

Judicial

The last branch of government is the Judicial branch! Here, laws are evaluated by the Supreme Court, which can apply them to specific cases within the world of law and order if they like the rules. The Supreme Court also can send regulations to be rewritten or removed if they are found to violate the Constitution!

How do the Branches of Government Affect the President?

Each branch of the government can affect the other components. In regards to how the different units can affect the president’s role specifically, Congress can disregard a presidential nominee and even remove a working President from office if within their rights to do so. This process is known as Impeachment.

As for the Judicial branch, the president nominated members of the Supreme Court. This power allows presidents to vastly change the party layout of the Supreme Court, making them able to lean either Republican or Democratic depending on their nominated members. The Senate, in turn, can confirm or deny the president’s nomination!

So the President has some power over the branches of government, just as the branches of government have control over the president! But how do you name this power for the President, and how does this power divulge into varying responsibilities? Let’s discover these roles and responsibilities of the president together!

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of the President?

As we went over the branches of government, we learned that the President is the head of the Executive branch. This role, which gives the president the titles of Chief Administrator, Chief Legislator, and Chief Executive, allows the president to sign off on and enforce laws for the country. This is a rather big and important task for just one person, so the president can appoint cabinet members to help sign or veto bills, which become laws! It should be noted that even with these roles, the president can now write his rules, only review ones created by Congress.

Assigning cabinet members is another vital role of the president. The president must be able to collect a group of like-minded individuals who will not allow any faulty bills to leave the Executive branch. Therefore, the president must assign 24 people to his Cabinet under the same scrutiny as the president!

Beyond the Executive branch, the president is also the Chief Diplomat! This role focuses on the president being a diplomat within other countries and governments. The president must be able to be poised, polite, and of course, diplomatic within this role.

Being the Chief of the Party is another responsibility in the hands of the president. But, again, this is a simple role, just a title given to assigning the president as the head of their respective party! As an example, Joe Biden is the Chief of the Democratic Party! And if we have a Republican president in the future, they will be the Chief of the Republican Party!

The role of the Chief of State is integral to the US government’s image in the public eye. Whenever you see the president rewarding soldiers or civilians with Medals of Honor or other prestigious rewards, you know the president is acting as the Chief of State! Think of this role as being a title for a figurehead, as that is what the president is when serving as the Chief of State.

The final role we’ll cover is that the president possesses Chief Citizen. This role is perhaps the most symbolic of all. As Chief Citizen, the president is meant to represent all citizens and be a model during peaceful times to ensure they last. All of these roles and responsibilities are indeed hard to keep track of! So how do you help your students understand the importance of the president and President’s Day? Well, Twinkl is here to guide you through our unique resources!

Addition with regrouping is a technique used in Maths when adding together two or more numbers of any size. It is used with the column method of addition, where sums are arranged vertically, and numbers are added one column at a time.

You may also hear regrouping referred to as “carrying over.” If you add all the numbers in a column, and the total is ten or more, then the number is carried over to the next place value column. For example, you would reach thirteen if there are four and a nine in the one’s column. Here, you would write the three in the one’s column and carry the one over to the tens column.

When do you use regrouping?

As mentioned above, regrouping is used when the sum of the values in one place value column is more than nine. This technique of carrying a number over to the next place value column can be used with any addition or subtraction question – regardless of how many numbers are involved in the question or how many digits each number has.

If you’re completing a question where the sum of the values in each place value column is nine or less, then there is no need to use the regrouping method. This is because there are no numbers that need to be carried over. An example of this would be for a question like 12 + 24. In this situation, the numbers in the ones and the tens columns total less than nine. This makes for an excellent, simple column addition where you can easily find the answer – in this case, 36.

Example of addition with regrouping:

An example is the best way to see addition with regrouping in action. This helps us to see precisely how we might complete the sum and when we would need to use regrouping.

So, as an example, take the sum 38 + 14.

We can line these numbers up vertically in their place value columns, just as we would do for any column method addition.

3 8

1 4 +

——–

Next, we can begin adding the numbers in the one’s column. This is the far right column containing the eight and the 4. The sum of these two numbers is 12. In line with the regrouping method, we’d write the 2 in the one’s column underneath the line and carry the one over to the tens column, writing it above the other two numbers. After this stage, you’ll have something that looks like this:

1

3 8

1 4 +

———

2

After this step, you’re free to add the digits in the tens column – the three from the original numbers and the one you’ve just carried over. Then, from the simple sum 1 + 3 + 1, you’ll have the answer 5. You can then write this in the tens column of your solution.

1

3 8

1 4 +

——–

5 2

And there you have it! The answer to this question is 52.

Regrouping with more than two digits:

This simple addition method with regrouping can be used with numbers of any size. The same principles still apply – the only difference is that numbers might need to be carried over to the hundreds, thousands, or even ten of thousands of columns.

You can also use addition with regrouping if you add more than two numbers, such as the sum 26 + 37 + 18. Here, you need to line three numbers up in a column and add them up the same way. In this example, adding up the one’s column (6 + 7 + 8) results in the answer of 21. In this case, you’d write the 1 in the one’s column and then carry the two over to the tens. Once you’ve completed your calculations, you should have the answer of 81.

Can regrouping be used with subtraction?

Yes! The process for subtracting with regrouping is slightly different, but the overall principle is the same. It still involves splitting numbers into ones, tens, and hundreds and making your calculations one column at a time – using the column method.

The main difference between addition and subtraction using regrouping is that instead of carrying over numbers, you might need to borrow numbers from the column to the left.

Let’s use an example to show what we mean. Taking the sum 31 – 14, we can write the question in columns as usual.

3 1

1 4 –

——-

However, when we complete our first step, we’re faced with 1 – 4. We can’t do this sum without going into minus numbers, so we borrow one lot of ten from the column to the left, leaving us with a two instead of a 3. This allows us to transform one into 11 and calculate 11 – 4. Here’s how we’d write this:

32 11

1 4 –

———-

1 7

Then, by filling in the columns as usual and starting from the left, we reach the answer that 31 – 14 = 17.