CAFOD launches new primary school resources

To mark the beginning of the new school year, CAFOD is launching two new primary school resources designed to encourage children to explore the similarities and differences between their lives and the lives of children growing up in Bangladesh.

A Day with Musa, a big book aimed at Early Years and Key Stage 1, follows a typical day in the life of Bangladeshi schoolboy Musa. With colourful images, the story looks at the beauty and vibrancy of life in Bangladesh. The book encourages an understanding of the wider world, and supports learning across the curriculum. It can be used to explore key themes such as family, food, water, games and transport, and has suggested activities for Literacy, Mathematics, RE, Geography and Citizenship.

Continuing with the Bangladesh focus, CAFOD has also produced a film for Key Stage 2. One day, one world follows two children, Tuli in Bangladesh, and Josh in England, during the course of an ordinary day. Looking at the realities of life in Bangladesh, the film highlights issues around the environment, religion and climate change to help stimulate classroom discussion.

Gemma Salter, CAFOD’s Primary Schools Writer, said: “CAFOD is delighted to launch A day with Musa and One day, one World, to encourage children to recognise similarities against a backdrop of difference. These resources will help pupils to empathise with the children in the film and book and to place themselves and their own context within the narrative.

Hearing and seeing experiences of children their own age is such a valuable learning experience for children, and we hope that the book and film prove to be useful resources.”

Russ Brown, Primary school teacher and children’s author said: “A day with Musa takes us on the journey of a day in the life of an ordinary child in Bangladesh. It raises the simple question of difference while clearly showing children how we are all the same - regardless of where we live or what language we speak.

Children will love the large colour photographs which transport us, the reader, to everyday life in Bangladesh. This big book is a must for Early Years and Key Stage 1 classes or community groups. Its uses are as diverse as its contents.”

CAFOD works with children, young people and young adults in England and Wales to deepen an understanding of the causes of global poverty and injustice, and offers ways to take action to bring about a just and sustainable world.

To order a copy of A day with Musa visit: www.cafod.org.uk/Education/Primary-schools/big-book

To watch One day, one world visit: www.cafod.org.uk/onedayoneworld

A day with Musa costs £12.50 for the big book, £4.50 for the small book. One day, one world is a free resource
A day with Musa is suitable for Early Years and KS1 (4-7 yrs). One day, one world is suitable for KS2 (7-11 yrs)

For additional CAFOD education resources visit: www.cafod.org.uk/Education