DEAR – Drop Everything and Read
Your DEAR session this week is: Wednesday P1
RUGBY CLUB
PLEASE NOTE THE WEEKS WILL BE SWAPPED!
Week A will beYear 9, 10, 11, 6th form.
Week B will beYear 7 and 8.
WOTW: Justify
TPS: Why do we do Word of the Week?
Having a large vocabulary is not just a skill in reading, writing, listening and speaking, but also in a general knowledge of science, history and the arts. It makes you a more interesting human!
WOTW: Justify
Using your MWBs: What do you think this word means?
3…2…1… Show me.
1. To show or prove to be right or reasonable.
Using your MWBs: What type of word is it?
Noun/verb/adjective/adverbetc.
3…2…1… Show me.
1. Verb
WOTW: Justify
TPS: Synonyms and antonyms (what are these?):
Synonyms – words with a similar meaning
Antonyms – words with the opposite meaning
Using your MWBs: What synonyms can you think of?
3…2…1… Show me.
Explain, account for, rationalise
Using your MWBs: What antonyms can you think of?
3…2…1… Show me.
Disprove, refute, discredit
Why are we talking about this? 1
Young people read 27 million books in the last year, a rise of 24% on the year before. It is thought this rise could be due to “BookTok” . “BookTok” refers to recommendations for what to read next being shared by users on TikTok.
The opposite has also been happening to some books. Some have been taken off the shelves, had the author’s words changed and in some cases they have even been burnt!
Why are we talking about this? 1
A recent survey has found that a third of libraries in the UK have been asked to put restrictions on certain books or remove them altogether. Some of these books have included empire, race and LGBTQ+ themes.
Do some books need to be banned to keep the public safe? As times have changed, perhaps the words used in books should be changed to reflect today. Let’s leaf through some of these issues.
Shelving the idea 2
Class activity (4-5 mins)
Let’s take a look at some books that have been banned. Some were banned a while ago, others more recently. Try to guess the title of the banned book from the description.
Please Note:
Some of the examples in this activity make reference to challenging subject matter.
Shelving the idea 2
There have been many calls for the Harry Potter series to be banned due to descriptions of witchcraft. Most recently, there are calls to boycott or even burn the books due to the views expressed by their author J.K. Rowling.
A. Harry Potter
B. Stick Man
C. Guardians of the Galaxy
Shelving the idea 2
A. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
B. 13 Reasons Why
C. The Hate U Give
Shelving the idea 2
A. To Kill A Mockingbird
B. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
C. Roll of Thunder
Hear My Cry
Shelving the idea 2
Across the Curriculum – Biology: Which hormones play a role during puberty in girls? Is it different in boys?
A. Are You There God? It’s me, Margaret
B. A Monster Calls
C. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Shelving the idea 2
A. Heartstopper
B. Fun Home
C. Wonderstruck
The next chapter 3
People are talking about more than book bans. There are also conversations about changing books. For instance, you may have heard news about changes to Roald Dahl's books.
Class activity (3-5 mins)
Do you agree or disagree with the changes being discussed? Open your hands if you agree with the change being made, or close your hands if the change is not something you agree with.
The next chapter 3
The words “fat” and “ugly” will not be used to describe people in Roald Dahl’s books. For example, the character Augustus Gloop will now be described with the adjective “enormous”.
Did you know?
Following an outcry, there will be two versions of Dahl’s books available in the future. One will have the modern changes to the text, the other the original wording.
The next chapter 3
R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books have had some updates made by their publisher.
The publisher said they “reviewed the text to keep the language current and avoid imagery that could negatively impact a young person’s view of themselves today, with a particular focus on mental health.”
The next chapter 3
Shakespeare’s plays have been rewritten to make them easier to read and understand for modern audiences.
Some ideas need to be left in the past. People don't need to read what was once acceptable.
Young people are not ready for some books. There should be controls on the materials that can be accessed.
Even if it’s awful, we shouldn’t ban anything. Freedom of speech is important to protect.
What one person believes should be banned isn’t the same as someone else.
Some ideas should be protected from ridicule, for example people’s beliefs and religions.
We have to be able to explore new ideas. We can then decide what is right and wrong.
WOTW: Justify
TPS 1: Why is increasing our vocabulary important?
Speaking frame: Increasing our vocabulary is important because…
TPS 2: Where might we see the word justify in life?
Speaking frame: We might see the word justify…
Secondary 15 Minute Lesson
Your latest results: “Could a year of culture improve where you live?”
“Nottingham would benefit from an increase in tourism and it will make the people who live here really appreciate their area and value it more.”
The Carlton Academy
“We really enjoyed our year of culture and saw lots of benefits. We would like it again.”
Kelvin Hall School
“We think that there are better things to spend our money on for example, cost of living.”
Sandwell Academy
“Coming from a city that was the City of Culture, we haven't seen or felt any lasting impacts from the year.”
Hessle High School
61,782 young people voted this week! Were you one of them?
Your latest results:
“Could a year of culture improve where you live?”
1:43
Click to hear from some of the young creatives and apprentices at Bradford 2025, about their thoughts on your latest VoteTopic results.
Your views on “Could a year of culture improve where you live?” were also heard by: DCMS /together Arts Council England Bradford City of Culture Locality
Want to share your views with us? Share your votes and comments by logging into your VotesforSchools account. You can also get in touch at secondary@votesforschools.com
Should we be more worried about drone use?
1 Why are we talking about this?
An amazing gift, cool toy, great photography and videography tool, weapons of war…
Drones are becoming more common and sometimes appear in headlines for the wrong reasons.
Later on, you will vote Yes or No to: “Should we be more worried about drone use?”
Let’s explore some of the recent news stories making the headlines about drones.
Class activity (4-5 mins) You’ll see some pictures linked to a news story. Can you work out what the recent news story is about? Raise your hand to offer your suggestions.
2 Buzz words
2 Buzz words
3 Safe landing?
Later, you’ll be voting Yes or No to: “Should we be more worried about drone use?”
Let’s stop droning on about the news and hear what you can and cannot do with them.
3 Safe landing?
A drone must be kept within line of sight. (If someone is flying via a camera or app, someone else must be watching the drone.)
Anyone with a drone that weighs 250g or more, or one fitted with a camera, has to register with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
We can summarise current laws around drones like this:
120m is the maximum height drones can be flown above the ground.
It is illegal to fly a drone within 5km (3.1 miles) of an airport.
You should fly 50m away from other people.
Those with drones weighing more than 250g must also pass a test on the CAA website.
3 Safe landing?
GDPR rules mean anyone using a drone to film or take photos somewhere people might expect to be private need their permission first.
Drones can often have cameras. There are not specific laws about drones and privacy. However, privacy laws and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) affects how drones should be used.
3 Safe landing?
Individual reflection (1 min)
Are you surprised by the summary of rules you have seen? Do you feel all drone users are aware of their responsibilities?
4 Can you hear that hum?
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Well, sort of… We often won't think about drones until we see them action. More and more we’re seeing them in parks and people are having a great time.
4 Can you hear that hum?
We’re getting more used to the photography angles you can get with drones too. From the sides of buildings, animals in their natural habitats, overhead sporting shots, drones allow professionals to get where you couldn’t previously.
4 Can you hear that hum?
Pair discussion (4-6 mins)
As we prepare to vote Yes or No on “Should we be more worried about drone use?”, let’s consider some scenarios involving drones. Talk about the scenario you see with your partner. Discuss whether everyone is respecting each other in the situation.
Can you hear that hum?
I bet they’re getting a great photo!
Oi! I’ve got my top off and I’m trying to sunbathe down here!
It’s in the open at least so we all know it’s there.
Is everyone respecting each other in this situation?
4 Can you hear that hum?
That’s gross, it’s like you want to spy on people!
Might sound weird, but the first thing I want to do is see my street from above. There’s so much you can’t see from the road.
4 Can you hear that hum?
I know they’re just having fun, but the noise of the drone means I can’t relax here.
4 Can you hear that hum?
What’s that noise drones make again…?
4 Can you hear that hum?
Class activity (1 min)
You’re about to vote Yes or No to: “Should we be more worried about drone use?” Give a drone noise to represent how worried you are about drones. Nice and quiet if you’re not bothered, give it some if they are a bit of a worry.
Now’s your chance to vote on: “Should we be more worried about drone use?”
People are not being picked up on their drone use. If someone wanted, they could easily spy on you.
With more drones in the sky there are more risks of injuries. I don’t need one falling on my head.
The use of drones in war is disturbing. It’s making suffering seem like a video game.
They’re just another tool, and sometimes a toy! Go out and enjoy what they can do.
Drones are no different to other forms of technology. Bad people might use them badly, same as social media.
We’re worried the right amount. When you see them, you think to yourself about your privacy.
We will be sharing your thoughts on this topic with the Civil Aviation Authority, ARPAS UK, Royal Aeronautical Society, National Police Chiefs’ Council and Amazon. Log in to your VotesforSchools account to submit your vote and leave a comment.
ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
