Top Five Resources 2023

The world of money is often characterised as one of numbers, graphs and spreadsheets. However, we know that economics and finances are actually embedded in rich webs of social relationships. Learning about money and its significance to our lives is about developing social skills and compassion as much as arithmetic. Values, Money and Me by Experian is an excellent way to develop this holistic understanding in your students. This interactive online game centres on the fictional community of Pride Place where students can explore the stories of local families and different money issues they may encounter. Filled with interactive books, activities and quizzes this resource shows us what a more socially-minded education might look like.

Climate anxiety is a creeping problem affecting teachers and students alike. In times of uncertainty what we can be certain of is that good communication will empower and reassure us all. This guide by Force of Nature should be essential reading for teachers. Written by young activists trained to communicate climate issues, this guide aims to ‘ help you facilitate conversations about the climate crisis while safeguarding young people, navigating strong feelings, and fostering emotional resilience’. Feelings of anxiety are natural and this guide will help you harness them to have meaningful and inspiring conversations with your students.

Lessons that embrace the new and the unexpected are a sure-fire way to get your students attention and deepen their learning experience. That’s why we love this Minecraft game from the Nobel Peace Center. Featuring fully immersive stories of key Nobel Laureates, players are tasked with helping each laureate build peace in different locations. From Norway's Nobel Peace Center to apartheid South Africa with Desmond Tutu this is a wonderfully engaging and educational resource. Complete with accompanying presentations and lesson plans this is an innovative way to explore the vital subject of peace building.

As an organisation, ThoughtBox show us what the future of education could look like.Their work is value-laden and constantly seeks to build the capacities of students in all the right areas from systems thinking to deep listening. Their Awe and Wonder Curriculum encapsulates what regenerative education is all about. Far beyond exams and box ticking this thorough curriculum aims to encourage joy and curiosity. Leading with these feelings is what creates lifelong learners and indeed, what inspires people to change the world for the better. ThoughtBox are ahead of the curve with their curriculums and we can’t wait for their style of education to hit the mainstream.

In an increasingly divided world dialogue and conversation, as opposed to combative debate, is so important. The ability to communicate in ways that build mutual understanding is an essential skill to cultivate for the next generation of changemakers. This pack by the Faith and Belief Forum does this really well by helping students ask the right questions in a sensitive, understanding way. Good conversations like this open up so many possibilities for collaboration and exchange. If you want to improve your students' capacity for compassion and understanding, look no further than this. Resources like this are key to healing our relationships with each other and the planet.