New version of Shelter Scotland’s successful classroom kit now available

Date: 27th August 2010
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Family Environment and Alternative Care

New lesson plans on homelessness and bad housing are now available for Early and First level pupils as part of Shelter Scotland's popular interactive classroom kit.

The housing charity launched the classroom kit for seven to 14 year olds last year, and it proved so popular that the pack has now been extended to a younger audience. The kits can be downloaded free from the Shelter Scotland website.

The new lesson plans aim to help teachers engage four to seven year olds with ideas about homes and neighbourhoods in a fun and interesting way. Using materials and features from their local environment, along with games and matching activities, children can create patterns and pictures, and describe shapes related to the idea of the home.

Primary teacher Christine Gray said:

"Shelter Scotland's classroom kit is wonderful, the online resources to support the lessons were excellent and the images of homes and slide shows of children's stories give the children something real to focus on.

"I would certainly encourage teachers to use this great resource to offer their class an engaging and insightful lesson on their community and home."

Children living in bad housing are nearly twice as likely as other children to leave school without any qualifications. Shelter Scotland believes it is vital children learn about the issues of homelessness and bad housing at a young age to help develop understanding and awareness.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, the housing and homelessness charity said:

"Bad housing and homelessness can have a devastating effect on every area of a child's life. The classroom kit is a fantastic way to educate children about all aspects of bad housing and encourage them to get involved with Shelter Scotland's vital work.

"We would urge teachers to download this kit not only to help children develop an understanding of their community and home, but to help raise awareness of the plight of the thousands of children currently trapped in bad housing across Scotland."

• More information, or to download Shelter's classroom kit.