Europe & Spain in Europe

CONTENTS

1. MAIN OBJECTIVES

2. USEFUL WEBSITES

3. PUPIL VOCABULARY CARDS

4. WORD WALL CARDS

5. GLOSSARY

6. KEY QUESTION CARDS

7. PRIOR LEARNING DIAGRAM

8. HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

9. READING COMPREHENSION

10.FINAL ACTIVITY

Main Objectives

1. To locate Spain in Europe and be able to describe its

physical geography and that of Europe in basic terms.

2. To be able to list the member states of the European

Union (EU).

3. To study and present information in detail of at least one

EU member state.

4. To name and describe the functions of the main EU

institutions.

Useful Websites http://www.eun.org/portal/index.htm From the European School net homepage, you can navigate to a number of other pages where there are activities to do with science and technology, citizenship and culture and others. There is an interesting links that allows you to set up links with other EU schools. http://myeurope.eun.org/ww/en/pub/myeurope/home/practice/teaching_ideas.htm A link for teaching ideas in a variety of subject areas. http://myeurope.eun.org/ww/en/pub/myeurope/home/practice/teaching_ideas/games.htm 9 didactical games addressed to Primary and Secondary students. The games cover several thematic areas such as European integration, European citizenship, single currency, consumer protection, internal market, Europe in the world, EU Enlargement, European common cultural values, European cultural heritage, EU institutions, EU and its citizens, EU treaties and many others.

http://myeurope.eun.org/ww/en/pub/myeurope/home/news/headlines/sday2008.htm

Spring Day for Europe has become a popular event as a teaching and learning opportunity to bring young people closer to Europe. The number of schools joining the Spring Day

campaign has grown year by year since 2002. What are the reasons for schools to register? What they get in return?

Once registered, teachers and their classes have access to the full package of activities, competitions, resources, tools and services of the Web portal. Participation in activities and competitions is based on the registration information, meaning that a contributing school is identified according to the data supplied when registering.

From a social and educational perspective, Spring Day for Europe offers short-term opportunities with long-term benefits.

http://myeurope.eun.org/ww/en/pub/myeurope/home/activities/culture.htm This link contains a number of interesting activities on EU culture. It gives teaching ideas and provides activities where children can learn about the different customs in EU member states. http://www.etwinning.net/en/pub/index.htm This is a very interesting page and contains some “kits” – ready-made teaching resources – to explore EU relevant issues. It is necessary to explore the site. It gives schools opportunities to link with other EU schools to complete projects.

http://europa.eu/youth/ This portal is exclusively for young people. There are interesting facts and activities on what it means to be an EU citizen. http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/netstartsearch/euro/kids/index_en.htm Games and activities based on EU single currency and economic issues in the EU.

Europe

n. a continent in the West part of the landmass lying between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains on the East and the Caucasus Mountains and the Black and Caspian seas on the SE. “Spain is found in the south-western part of Europe.”

European Union

n. an association of 27 European nations formed in 1993 for the purpose of achieving political and economic integration. “Bulgaria and Romania are the most recent members of the EU.”

Council of Europe

n. a consultative branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU). It is composed of the heads of government of the EU nations and their foreign ministers, in conjunction with the president and two additional members from the European Commission.

European Parliament

n. a branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU). It convenes on a monthly basis in Strasbourg, France; most meetings of the separate parliamentary committees are held in Brussels, Belgium, and its Secretariat is located in Luxembourg.

European Commission

n. a branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU) invested with executive and some legislative powers.

European member states

n. There are 27 member states comprising of 20 republics, 6 kingdoms and 1 grand duchy. The states are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

The Maastricht Treaty

n. signed on 7 February 1992 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. It created the European Union and led to the creation of the euro. The Maastricht Treaty has been amended to a degree by later treaties.

The Treaty of Rome

n. treaty signed in 1957 between France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands which founded the then called European Economic Community (EEC).

Euro

n. European single currency used in Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. There are 11 states that do not use the euro: Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania.

Europe

citizenship

European Union

Council of the European

Union

The European Commission

The European Parliament

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Cyprus

the Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Great Britain

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

The Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Euro

Euro zone

European single

currency

European integration

Treaty of Rome 1957

Maastricht Treaty 1993

Treaty of Lisbon 2007

Glossary

Europe n. a continent in the West part of the landmass lying between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains on the East and the Caucasus Mountains and the Black and Caspian seas on the SE. “Spain is found in the south-western part of Europe.”

European Union n. an association of 27 European nations formed in 1993 for the purpose of achieving political and economic integration. “Bulgaria and Romania are the most recent members of the EU.”

Council of Europe

n. a consultative branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU). It is composed of the heads of government of the EU nations and their foreign ministers, in conjunction with the president and two additional members from the European Commission.

European Parliament

n. a branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU). It convenes on a monthly basis in Strasbourg, France; most meetings of the separate parliamentary committees are held in Brussels, Belgium, and its Secretariat is located in Luxembourg.

European Commission

n. a branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU) invested with executive and some legislative powers.

European member states

n. there are 27 member states comprising of 20 republics, 6 kingdoms and 1 grand duchy. The states are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden

The Maastricht Treaty

n. signed on 7 February 1992 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. It created the European Union and led to the creation of the euro. The Maastricht Treaty has been amended to a degree by later treaties.

The Treaty of Rome

n. treaty signed in 1957 between France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands which founded the then called European Economic Community (EEC).

Euro n. European single currency used in Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. There are 11 states that do not use the euro: Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania.

Where is Spain

located in Europe?

Can your describe

Spain in physical

terms?

Can you describe

Europe in physical

terms?

When was the European Union formed?

How many countries signed the Treaty of

Rome in 1957?

What did the EU used to be called

before 1993?

How many new members stated joined in 2007?

How many new member states joined in 2004?

What are the 3 main legislative bodies in

the EU?

What is the European single

currency?

How many countries are in the Euro

Zone?

Why have some countries “opted-out” of the Euro?

When did Spain join the European Community?

What do you think about Spain being a member of the EU? Are you in favour?

Or against?

Prior learning diagram

There are 27 member states in the European Union. How many of them can you name?

8.1.1 Spain in Europe

Fill in the blanks using your atlas to help you. Spain is found in the __________________ part of the continent of Europe. Spain is Europe's ______________largest country after Russia, Ukraine and France. It consists of the Spanish ____________, which occupies most of the Iberian __________ apart from Portugal, the ________________ of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, Gomera, Fuerteventura and Hierro in the _____________ off the coast of Morocco. Spain also has two autonomous cities on the North coast of Africa: ____________ and ______________. Spain is one of the most ______________ countries in Europe. Three quarters of the country is over 500m above sea level, and a quarter of it is over a kilometre above sea level. The most famous mountain ranges in Spain are the __________ and the _____________. Spain has one of the most diverse landscapes in Europe. The region of Almeria in the south-east resembles a ___________ in places, while the north-west in winter can expect rain 20 days out of every month. Spain has over 8,000km of ____________. Spain has more land covered by ____________ than any other country in the world. However, due to the arid soil, the actual yield is lower than in other countries.

Atlantic Ocean peninsula Pyrenees fourth desert

Balearic Islands Ceuta beaches Vineyard

Sierra Nevada Melilla western mountainous

8.1.2 Name_______________________ Physical Geography of Europe

This sheet will help you find the information to answer the key questions. Use the PowerPoint and your map

of Europe to help you.

Europe is a small continent in the Earth’s northern hemisphere. It reaches the Arctic Ocean in the North; The Mediterranean

Sea in the South; the Atlantic Ocean in the West; the Ural Mountains and the Caspian Sea in the East.

Mountains and Plains Important mountain ranges in the North are: 1. 2. 3. Important mountain ranges in the South are: 1. 2. 3. 4. Highest mountain in Europe 1. Most important plains 1.

Coasts Important peninsulas 1. 2. 3. Important Islands

- in the Atlantic: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

- in the Mediterranean: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Rivers Name 2 rivers that flow into: The Atlantic 1. 2. The Mediterranean 1. 2. The Black sea 1. 2. The Arctic Ocean 1. 2. The Caspian 1. 2.

8.2.1 Name: Colour all of the member status in yellow and those which are not members in green.

Country Profile for:

Year of entry to the EU:

Political System:

Capital city: Official Flag

Total land area:

Population:

Currency:

EU official languages:

8.2.2

Country Profile for:

Year of entry to the EU:

Political System:

Capital city: Official Flag

Total land area:

Population:

Currency:

EU official languages:

8.2.2

can name all 27 EU

member status!

can name all 27 EU

member status!

8.4.1 The Government of the EU

Cut and stick the text or photo from your source sheet and match it to its partner.

.

The European Commission is the

institution with Executive Powers. This

means that it has the power to approve

laws. It is formed of a commissioner from

each member state and has its offices in

Brussels.

It is formed of a judge from

each country. Its mission is to

guarantee that EU laws are

applied and resolve disputes

related to EU laws

This is formed by a minister from each member state and makes laws related to economy, security, environment etc. Its offices are in Brussels.

The European Commission

The European Parliament

The European Courts of Justice

The Council of the European Union

8.4.2 Pupil source sheet

The European Parliament has 785 members elected by the citizens of the EU The institution studies and makes laws. Its offices are in Strasbourg.

Hands-on Activity 1

Locating Spain in Europe

Main Objectives:

1. To locate Spain in Europe and be able to describe its

physical geography and that of Europe in basic terms.

Resources needed:

• PPT Spain in Europe

• Pupil worksheet 8.1.1 – Locating Spain in Europe

• Pupil worksheet 8.1.2 – Physical geography of Europe

• Map of Physical Europe and Spain

• Coloured pencils

• 8.1.3 Fact stars

• Access to computer sweet or digital projector

• atlases

Introduction

Begin by sharing the objective with the children. Explain that

together they will investigate to describe Europe’s physical

geography and locate Spain in Europe. This activity can be

done in a variety of ways; either in pairs using the PPT in the

school ICT lab or in pairs with the PPT projected onto the

white board or a screen (if your choose to do it this way, the

children will have to work through the sheet at the same

pace). The lesson is formed around the key questions:

• Where is Spain located in Europe?

• Can your describe Spain in physical terms?

• Can you describe Europe in physical terms?

These should be placed where the children can see the clearly

and at a height that is accessible for them to place there fact

stars around each.

Development

Hand out the worksheets and fact stars sheet to each pair.

Tell the children to consider this a challenge, in which they

have to use the PPT and their atlases to find as much

information on the physical geography of Europe and Spain. In

order to keep the lesson moving at pace, give them 20 minutes

to complete the challenge. The worksheet will help them focus

on what type of information to look for. As the children find

information and fill in their sheet, they should copy the

information onto the fact star and place it around the key

question.

Plenary

After the 20 minutes is up, choose each fact star and read its

contents, reach a consensus that it is correct and place it

around the maps of Europe and Spain respectively. The

children should glue their own answer sheet in to their books

for later reference.

Hands-on Activities 2

Introducing the European Union

Main objectives

2. To be able to list the member states of the European

Union (EU).

3. To study and present information in detail of at least one

EU member state.

Resources required:

• Pupil worksheet 8.2.1 - outline political map – European

Union Member States

• Pupil worksheet 8.2.2 – country profiles

• coloured pencils

• glue

• scissors

• Large class wall map of Europe

• PPT The European Union

• Resource 8.2.3 EU flag (either printed from the resource

file or made by the class.

• 8.2.4 EU stars

Introduction

In this activity, which may last more than one session, the

children are introduced the member states of the EU. The

PPT should be used as a way of introducing facts about each

country. The principal page contains maps of the 27 member

states, each with a hyperlink that takes the viewer to the

appropriate page for that country’s profile. Each profile

contains the same fields of information.

Development

The aim of this activity is to help the children realise the

enormity of the EU as an organisation. Later, they will debate

some of the current issues surrounding the EU, so it is

important that the have an idea haw many countries there are

in the EU, when they joined and issues to do with equality,

accession and immigration. This part of the activity asks the

children to use an atlas to locate each country, draw its flag

and make a profile of at least one country. These should then

be displayed around the map of Europe, with map pins and

coloured tread to show the location.

Plenary

Show the PPT again. Can the children name all 27 states? Have

a challenge. Those who can write their names on an EU star

card and place it around the EU flag.

Hands-on activity 3

Poster Project

Objective: To study and present information in detail of at

least one EU member state.

Resources

• Internet access

• A2 card

• Coloured pencils

• white or coloured paper

• glue scissors

Introduction

This activity builds on the previous one. Here the children

should work in pairs to produce a poster project on one of the

member states of the EU. The teacher should make sure that

all the states are covered; this may mean that some student

will need to do 2 posters or may wish to work on their own.

It is important that the parameters are set at the beginning,

these should be:

• The name of the country in English and possibly in the

native language

• The surface areas

• Population including some demographic information

• The currency with an illustration or photo

• The flag

• The date of accession to the EU

• The date of the countries last or next presidency of the

EU

• Official languages

• Any interesting customs or typical food stuffs

• Location of an outline map of the EU

Development

The aim of this lesson is that children work as independently

as possible. Encourage them to use the links in the useful

website page to help them search for information. Encourage

them to think carefully about the layout of their work and not

to glue anything until they are satisfied.

Plenary

The obvious plenary is for the children to present their work

to the class. The work can then be displayed as is on the wall

or perhaps better yet, put in alphabetical order and made into

a class big book and Entitled “OUR BIG ALTAS OF THE

EUROPEAN UNION”.

Hands-on Activity 4

The EU and its institutions

Objective: To name and describe the functions of the main EU

institution.

Resources needed

• PPT The Government of the EU

• Pupil worksheet 8.4.1 – The government of the EU

• Pupil source sheet 8.4.2

• Glue and scissors

Introduction

Use the PPT – The Government of the EU to explain what the

different institutions are and what they do.

Development

Working in pairs or individually, the children should match the

description to the photo for each of the EU institutions.

Plenary

Check that the pupils’ answers are correct using the PPT.

9. Reading Comprehension: European Elections Every five years the UK picks members for the European Parliament, which is one of the main parts of the European Union, along with the European Commission and the European Council.

In 2009, the 72 UK MEPs who are elected will join 664 other MEPs from across the European Union (EU).

Together they form a 736-member parliament, which aims to provide a voice for the people of the EU.

The smallest member state is Malta, with five MEPs, while the largest is Germany, with 99 MEPs.

Voting

The voting system is pretty complicated. Instead of voting for one candidate you vote for a political party.

The party then picks your MEP from a list it has drawn up.

The more votes your party gets, the more MEPs it can pick from its list.

Who can vote?

EU citizens over 18 who are registered to vote can take part in these elections.

What actually happens is that not many people bother to vote in the UK. This is called low turnout and it's also a problem in some other EU countries.

Why don't people vote?

There are lots of explanations. Some people say the voting system is too complicated. Others think the public don't know what the European Parliament does.

Arguments about the EU often make the news in the UK but opinion polls show that ordinary people see Europe as a less important issue than things like hospitals, schools and transport.

More recently, the row about British MPs' expenses means lots of people have lost faith in politics and don't see the point of voting.

So what does the European Parliament do?

It decides whether suggestions from the European Commission should be made into new laws.

It also helps to decide how much money the EU should spend and checks that all the other parts of the EU are working fairly.

Voting system in more detail

• The UK is divided into 12 regions • Each region is given between three and 10 MEP seats • The more people that live in a region - the more seats it gets • For each of the regions the political parties submit a list of the

candidates they think should be MEPs. • Voters mark their ballot paper to show which party they want to

win. • The votes are counted and the region's seats are shared out

between the parties - the more votes you got the more seats you get.

• Northern Ireland uses a different voting system.

Questions

1. How often do people in the UK vote for their MEPs?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. What is an MEP? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. How many MEPs are there in the UK? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Which state has the least number of MEPs? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. Which state has the most MEPs?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. What makes voting complicated? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. Who can vote in EU elections?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8. Does everyone vote? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9. Give some reasons why. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. What does the EU do? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. Final Activity

Holding debate.

“This house believes that the EU should be abolished.”

Instructions:

Form 2 groups at random by allowing children to choose FOR

or AGAINST from a hat.

After this they should use what they have learned to present

an argument to defend their position. The teacher should take

the chair and lead the debate. The format should follow thus:

• 1st proposal for the motion

• 1st proposal against the motion

• First vote

• 2nd proposal for the motion

• 2nd proposal against the motion

• Second vote

This activity lends itself to some great work on persuasive

writing i.e. pamphlets, leaflets, posters etc. These could be

displayed around the class or school.