100 Welsh Heroes is a stimulating educational resource.
The biographies of the heroes provide a useful reference source, but they are more than this - they can be the starting point for a number of different activities across the school curriculum at all Key Stages.
Curriculum Cymreig
100 Heroes is all about famous Welsh men and women and their contribution to Wales and the wider world. From historical figures to living heroes, it presents Welsh candidates for hero status across five different fields.
It provides an ideal opportunity to introduce a Welsh dimension to many subjects across the curriculum, and can form a starting point for whole-school or cross-curricular activities which can make a major contribution to the Curriculum Cymreig.
What is being Welsh all about? Can we define a 'Welsh' hero?
There are lots of different perceptions about what it means to be Welsh. Looking at the issue as it is reflected in the nominations of the 100 heroes will encourage wide-ranging debate, and contribute to a deeper awareness of the diversity of life in contemporary Wales.
Want some ideas to start off a debate?
ICT Skills
The 100 Welsh Heroes website gives pupils the opportunity to use and develop IT skills, and is an ideal way of introducing ICT into a range of subjects. It is especially useful for areas of the curriculum where there is currently little provision on the Internet, for example the Curriculum Cymreig.
History
Many of the heroes nominated are historical figures. Discussions about why they were nominated - and whether others should have been nominated - can make a useful contribution in many areas of the history curriculum. Research into the lives of significant individuals and an evaluation of their impact on events can form a valuable exercise in historical enquiry. Looking at how famous these people now are - and whether their reputations are necessarily deserved - provides an interesting insight into historical interpretation.
See an example of a History activity (as part of a cross-curricular activity) at Key Stage 2
Welsh and English - Oracy and Literacy
100 Heroes provides opportunities for oracy and literacy work which links to the Curriculum Cymreig. In class debate, pupils can argue the case for their own chosen hero. In written work, making a case for the person they would vote for provides a purposeful exercise in writing to persuade. A more extended activity might involve pupils producing posters to support their heroes, then holding a mock election.
See ideas for oracy and literacy work (as part of a cross-curricular activity) at Key Stage 2
Maths
The biographies of the heroes can be used to provide examples for data handling activities with a distinctly Welsh flavour. See an example of a possible Maths activity at Key Stage 2
PSE
Should rock stars really be acclaimed as heroes alongside politicians, medieval princes great artists and authors? What about actors and sports stars? So what does make a hero? Are some sorts of heroes more important than others?
Want some ideas to start off a debate?
Cross-curricular activities
The 100 Welsh Heroes website provides an excellent starting point for cross-curricular activities, particularly at Key Stage 2.
See an idea for extended cross-curricular work at Key Stage 2.
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