The Mystery of the Golden Stars

Two publications: Activity Guide and Story Book (c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

In brief• The resource introduces different aspects of the

European Union through a mystery story set in Brussels and based on the activities of three children: Ricki, Josh and Maddy.

• Chapters in the story book are introductions to 6 clues. • The three children ask their friends at home (i.e. the

class), via email, for help to solve each clue. • Each of the 6 clues covers a different curriculum area:

geography; maths; history; English; science and DT – See Objectives Grid – pages 3 & 4

• The resource can be used once a week or during a European/international week

(c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

The Activity Guide - Contents• Introduction• How to use the resources• Objectives grid/Map for Activity 1• Activities 1-7 – with details on how to complete the task and

background reading. • Photocopiables – colours match Activities • Solved Puzzles template• Detective’s Diary template • Puzzle answers• Other resources list

(c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

Completing each activity• Preparation: Each activity requires some

photocopying and a few resources – detailed in the Activity Guide.

• Read relevant chapters of the story book together or independently. Stop at the email asking for help.

• Discuss story so far and what they know about the EU (see Background reading).

• Do individual tasks which when completed, lead to the clue word

• Add answer on Solved puzzles sheet. • Complete the Detectives DiaryN.B. Answers are in the back. (c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

Summary Activity 1 - Geography Which countries are in the EU?

Resources required Stages of activity/tasks

Photocopy Map for each child or pair

T: Read details of activityClass: Read chapters 1-3

Atlases Distribute map. Colour in countries depending on when joined EU Find the 8 capital cities from clues and put on map

Find the right letter from each capital city to complete the task Add answer to Solved Puzzle Sheet as whole class

Talk about experiences of travelling in Europe and what the clue word means. See ideas and information in Plenary and Background information

Complete Detective’s Diary – to show what learnt

(c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

Summary Activity 2 – MathsWhat are the symbols of the EU?

Resources required Stages of activity/tasks

Photocopy EU flag fragment

T: Read details of activityClass: Read chapter 4

Photocopy EU flag cipher Discuss story – guess who the mysterious stranger might be?

Protractors, rulers, mirrors, A4 tracing paper

Discuss what a symbol or emblem is and purpose of flags. Discuss how might complete the flag. Complete the flag using angles, distances etc. Lay tracing paper over cipher to find clue word. See Solving the puzzle page 7

Alternative activity: Fold photocopied flag fragment in half both ways – trace outline of stars and lay over cipher as above.

Add answer to Solved Puzzle Sheet as whole class

Talk about symbolism of the stars, EU anthem and motto. See ideas and information in Plenary and Background information

Complete Detective’s Diary – to show what learnt (c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

Summary Activity 3 – HistoryHow did the EU begin?

Resources required Stages of activity/tasks

Photocopy Cologne 1945 and Diary extract

T: Read details of activityClass: Read chapter 5

Sugar paper and pens Discuss story so far. Divide children into pairs and give out Cologne 1945Study picture and discuss first impressions and children complete three boxes, discuss in groups, feedback to class. Use Background informationGive out Diary extract – read, discuss and identify person.

Add answer to Solved Puzzle Sheet as whole class

Talk about “Europe Day” See ideas and information in Plenary and Background informationComplete Detective’s Diary – to show what learnt

(c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

Summary Activity 4 –LiteracyHow are decisions made in the EU?

Resources required Stages of activity/tasks

Photocopy Age restricted book debate

T: Read details of activityClass: Read chapter 6

Sugar paper and pens Discuss story so far and email at end of chapter. Discuss UK parliament, voting and European Parliament. See ideas and information in Plenary and Background informationDivide class into 6 groups, distribute photocopy and assign a character to each group. Explain rules of debate (see page 11) and name of where the European Parliament debate takes place (Plenum) At end of debate take a vote with show of hands.

Remind class of email and elicit answer to clue.

Add answer to Solved Puzzle Sheet as whole class

Complete Detective’s Diary – to show what learnt

(c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

Summary Activity 5 –ScienceHow is the EU relevant to you? Water quality

Resources required Stages of activity/tasks

Photocopy: Filter bed (pages 1 & 2); Word filter

T: Read details of activityClass: Read chapter 7

Large and small plastic tumblers

Discuss story so far and email at end of chapter.

Stones, gravel, sand Discuss EU involvement in regulation of water quality (see Background information), and introduce and complete filtration task (see pages 13 & 14)

Coffee filter papers Distribute photocopy of Word filter . Complete task to find clue word

Scissors, muddy water Add answer to Solved Puzzle Sheet as whole class

Complete Detective’s Diary – to show what learnt

(c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

Summary Activity 6 –D & THow is the EU relevant to you? Toy safety

Resources required Stages of activity/tasks

Photocopy: Soft toy disassembly board; Can you see the missing letters

T: Read details of activityClass: Read Chapter 8Discuss the story and email at end of chapter. Discuss safety/dangers of toys.

Small stuffed toys with CE marks

Distribute photocopied Soft toy disassembly board . Explain and demonstrate task

Disassembly board: A3 black card, white paper, craft knives

Highlight CE mark and EU’s role in regulating safety (see Page 16).

Cutting boards, PVA glue, sticky labels

Distribute and explain photocopy Can you see the missing letters

Digital camera (optional)

Add answer to Solved Puzzle Sheet as whole class

Complete Detective’s Diary – to show what learnt

(c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)

Summary Activity 7 –Charade

Resources required Stages of activity/tasks

Photocopy Charade T: Read details of activityClass: Read Chapter 9

Internet access, including Google maps and street view

Discuss the story and email.

Distribute photocopy of the Charade

Using the answers on the Solved Puzzles Sheet, complete missing letters grid and solve the Mystery of the Golden Stars.

Use internet to search for the place revealed on the Charade. Read Chapter 10 to finish the story

(c) Europe Direct information centre- Gloucestershire (Reproduction is authorised as long as source is acknowledged)