This week the Guardian Teacher Network has resources to help explain and expand on the issue of the drought, which may be the worst to hit the UK in 30 years
After the driest 18 months since records began, most of the east and south-east of England is officially in drought. Hosepipe bans kick in across affected areas on 5 April and the drought is expected to be felt as far north as Yorkshire and as far west as Wiltshire by late spring. This looks to be the worst drought to hit the the UK for 30 years.
On the Guardian Teacher Network, you can find useful resources to explain and expand on the issue of drought in the UK and across the developing world, where of course drought is affecting people in a more devastating way.
The Guardian Teacher Network's News in Focus handout on drought in the UK explains the background to the drought, how wildlife will be affected and what pupils can do to help.
Ideal for use in upper primary and lower secondary, the question and answer sheet can be used as a handout for students or in conjunction with this related PowerPoint presentation, which tells the news story of drought across the world through images.
Central to understanding the phenomenon is learning about the water cycle. This simple guide for 11- to 14-year-olds relates the water cycle to drought, flooding and pollution.
For older children aged 14-16, here's a look at rivers, drainage, the water cycle, erosion, fluvial cycle and flooding. Also see this colourful chart useful for all ages.
Thames Water, one of the water companies affected by drought, has produced a really useful set of resources to help students consider the value and importance of water, including an assembly pack for primary schools and everything secondary schools need for an informed debate on becoming water neutral.
The Wildlife Trusts offer some top tips for helping wildlife during a drought, how to monitor the amount of water used in the home and how to use less.
See also this really useful interactive guide by the Guardian to saving water at home and gardening without rain.
Oxfam's Water for Life activities look at how water is an essential part of all our lives, and the potential consequences of water scarcity including drought. Oxfam Water Week takes place 2-6 July, register to take part here.
Sport Relief has produced lesson packs for primary and secondary focusing on water shortages in Sierra Leone. The resources include films and follow-on activities about the impact a lack of clean water can have on young people around the world. You can access all the related resources here.
For homework (or for post-Sats year 6s who want a bit of fun with geography), see this booklet for seven- to 11-year-olds, which can be printed out and filled in. Missions include creating a cross-cultural dance routine to show how water is important to different people in different parts of the world, then performing it somewhere totally unexpected!
If you are wanting to deal with this issue as part of French language teaching, see this French A-level resource from Médecins Sans Frontières, including a French video, transcript and exercises.