Millions of Teachers Needed – Topical Tuesdays Activities from First News

A new UNESCO report says 44 million new teachers are needed globally by 2030 to educate every child on the planet. Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of UNESCO, said: “Teachers play a vital role in our societies. We must better value, better train and better support teachers.”

This resources pack includes an article from First News, along with a sheet of activities designed to get children thinking, talking and writing about what the story means to them.

Oracy

Are teachers really worth it? Isn’t teaching quite easy really? Couldn’t anyone become a teacher if they wanted to? Aren’t they always greedily asking to be paid more, even though they stop work at 4pm and have loads of weeks’ holiday? Or is teaching an undervalued job? Isn’t it hard work keeping up to 30 children focused, interested and learning all day? Wouldn’t there be more people queuing up to do it if it was easy and well paid? What do you think?

Writing skills

Write a thank you letter to your favourite teacher. As well as showing your appreciation, make sure you state exactly, giving examples, why you think they are/were so good for you. Remember to use all the features of an informal letter.

Or

Write a short narrative extract imagining what would happen if one of your parents or carers was suddenly made to teach your class for a day. (If they are already teachers, think of another relative who does a different job.) Make it as funny or serious as you like but focus on describing how your new teacher feels about teaching your class for the day.

Investigate

A teacher’s day does not start and end with your school day. Find out and list ten things a teacher has to do when not teaching your lessons.

What is First News?

Launched in May 2006, First News is the most trusted weekly newspaper for young audiences, covering global headlines and empowering children with an understanding of the world in which they are growing up.

To find out more about how First News could help your school unlock the power of news-based learning, through high quality, weekly resources alongside the print and digital newspaper, visit the First News Education website.

This resource is part of the Topical Tuesdays collection.
View more from this collection

• News story
• Activities sheet