Materials for the lesson

The teacher needs to have prepared a map of european countries and their resources. You can place two pictures (of resources) or more in a single country.

E.g. Sweden you can place two picture of ore and forest.

He/she also needs to have a basket where he/she can put the cards of all 28 EU countries in it.

Layout of the classroom

You can either be outside or inside. Preferably outside on a big patch of green grass. The teacher must stand so he/she can see all of the groups without hindrance. If you’re inside empty the middle of the floor from benches and chairs.

In the middle of the groups you place the basket (with cards and country´s names on it)

Phase 1

Teacher divides the class into 5 or more groups, depending on how many pupils there are. He/she also picks 5 students who are called “almighty”.

Phase 2

Teacher shows all the group a prepared example of what they are supposed to do. he/she walks up to the basket and draws a card. It says “Sweden” for example. Now he/she runs to the map as fast as possible to first find where Sweden is located. Then he/she takes one resource picture from that country and goes back the his/her circle. Where an “almighty” is waiting. Now you try to show (without talking) using your body as expression only what resource you picked. If the “almighty” says the resource out loud the group gets to keep it! If they feel it’s not working they can go back and put up the resource again and then pick a new country from the basket.

The first exercise lasts for 8 minutes. And you try to collect as many resources as possible.

phase 3

The teacher now explains for the class/groups about the responsibility that richer countries can have towards the ones with not so many resources. 2 groups at a time will meet in the middle (by the basket) and have a conversation with each other. The should try to make a deal.

Example.

–       Group 1: Hi group 5. We know that you have forest as a resource. Would it be possible to that we could borrow some from you?

–       Group 5: Yes group 1. But could we get some water in return since its very dry here?

–       Group 1. YES! Let’s make a deal!

They shake hands and trade resources. If a country didn’t manage to get any resource they have to try to convince another country to help anyhow.

Phase 4

The teacher now talks to the class about how unfair it can be. Some groups drew a country with more and easier resources to show. In life you can not choose where you are born and how rich your country will be. You want the pupils to understand the responsibility each country have to one another.