World Cup for Younger Learners

The following teaching & learning opportunities have been designed with Early - First Level learners in mind.

Professional judgement should applied when delivering these possibilities and activities can and should be adapted to meet the needs of your learners.

Challenge 1

Symbolism

Country's National Football kit often matches colours of their National flag.

This can make them easily identifiable as representing their respective countries.

Match the National kits to the relevant National flag.

Click buttons below for a ready-to-use PDF version or editable version - adaptable to suit the needs of your learners.

National Flags And Kits Matching Activity (PDF format) National Flags And Kits Matching Activity (editable version)

Extension Challenges

Extension Challenge 1

Not all National kits will reflect the Flag.

Show and discuss a National Flag - what colours do they see?

Show and discuss a matching National Kit - what colours do they see?

Alternative Task -

Learners research/find combinations of National kits that don't reflect the National flag.

Challenge 2

Symbolism (Part 2)

National football team badges frequently feature animals to represent strength, speed, or national identity, with eagles, lions, and mythical creatures being the most popular.

Many national football team badges of countries participating in the World Cup feature animals.

Use the stimulus of the national football badges to support discussion about the symbolism of animals used to represent the nation.

- Show and discuss a national football badge - what animal(s) do they see?

Click button below to access our resource page to support discussion.

Also featuring below, a teacher's notes page to support meaning behind symbolism of featured animals.

World Cup National Football Badges - Resource Page World Cup National Football Badges - Teacher Notes

Challenge 3

How to stay safe in hot weather

Many Scotland fans travelling to USA for games in Boston and Miami will experience hot weather conditions.

Use an up-to-date/current weather forecast/map for Boston and Miami.

- Discuss temperature numbers

- Compare with temperatures in Scotland. What do learners think the temperature is here (at home) today?

- Establish current knowledge and understanding; how do learners protect themselves in sunny/hot weather?

- Fans will need to do the same things and more (due to the more intense hot conditions e.g. humidity)

- Use the Sun Safety Twinkl resource below for learners to pack appropriate items in the case for a fan to stay safe in the sun

- Every game during the World Cup will include water breaks. Why is this important?

- Players will have to take similar safety precautions to travelling fans. Reinforce and consolidate what precautions fans will have to take and compare to what players will have to do.

Twinkl support resource - How to Avoid a 'Heat Stroke' Twinkl support resource - All About Sun Awareness PowerPoint Twinkl support resource - Sun Safety; Cut & Stick Activity

Challenge 4

Travelling to the World Cup

Thousands of Scotland fans are likely to travel to the USA for Scotland's games in Boston and Miami.

Can learners correctly identify appropriate means of transport?

Use a map of the World

- How will fans travel from Scotland to Boston?

- How will fans travel from Scotland to Miami?

- Where do flights depart from in Scotland?

- Could fans potentially flight from other airports?

- Why might fans do this?

Take a 'virtual flight'

- How long does it take to fly to Boston?

- How long does it take to fly to Miami?

- Compare the flight time to the duration of the school day i.e. set a timer at the beginning of the school day to gauge how long the above flights take.

NOTE - direct flight times may take longer than the school day so pausing the timer and resuming the following day would give learners the opportunity to see the timer finishing and 'landing' at the destination.

NOTE - getting to Miami or Boston may include a connecting flight. Stop the timer upon 'arrival' at first airport. Locate this on a map. Locate final location on a map to illustrate next leg of journey. How long might this next leg take?

Restart timer for second flight the following day. Learners then have opportunity to see timer finishing and 'landing' at the destination.

Possible extension task;

- Connecting flights can often include a certain layover duration. Use the timer to include the experience of the layover.

- Connecting flights may also not be until the following day. This might require accommodation. How much do learners think this may cost?

Twinkl support resource - Map of the World

Challenge 4 (part 2)

Travelling at the World Cup

Thousands of Scotland fans and football fans from all over the World will be moving between World Cup host cities.

Many Scotland fans will be travelling from Boston to Miami for Scotland's game against Brazil.

Can learners correctly identify appropriate means of transport?

Use a map of Mexico, Canada and Mexico.

- How could fans travel from Boston to Miami?

- How long will it take to travel by car?

- How long will it take to travel by train?

- How long will it take to travel by plane?

Take a 'virtual journey'

- Set a group off on their 'journey' by car. Start a timer for travelling by car. When do they arrive?

- At the same time, set another group off on their 'journey' by train. Set a timer for travelling by train. When do they arrive?

- At the same time, set a third group off on their 'journey' by plane. Set a timer for travelling by plane. When do they arrive?

It is possible to travel from Boston to Miami by boat.

- Why is this not the most efficient mode of transport?

Twinkl support resource - North America Map FIFA World Cup - Host Cities