In partnership, The Healing Classrooms together with The Story Project  have created two book-based resources to support with welcoming students from displaced backgrounds.  We selected two wonderful books: Everybody’s Welcome written by Patricia Hegarty & Zlata’s Diary written by Zlata Filipovic. They are age appropriate for KS1 and one for KS2 (or early KS3).  With a particular focus on fostering a sense of respect and empathy, children will deepen their understanding of people seeking asylum. 

This Refugee Week everyone is invited to spend time with friends and build new connections in and beyond our neighbourhoods. Communities can bring people together. Bridging divides and offering support. Spaces of resilience and places for healing.

“We can begin the process of making community wherever we are. We can begin by sharing a smile, a warm greeting, a bit of conversation; by doing a kind deed or by acknowledging kindness offered to us.”- bell hooks

Resource links

Everybody’s Welcome - KS1 Lesson Plans and Resources  (Done + on Website) 

Written by Patricia Hegarty & Illustrated by Greg Abbott

Mouse dreams of building a big happy house. Before long, animals begin to appear looking for a safe place to stay. Mouse kindly welcomes them all, creating a wonderful shelter for them all to take refuge in.

Through two lessons, children will cover the following objectives:

 Lesson 1:

I can explain how I welcome new people to my classroom

Lesson 2:

I can explain how I show respect and kindness to others

Everybody’s Welcome – KS 1 Unit Overview 

Read the overview to learn more about:

Everybody’s Welcome  - KS1 PPT for lessons 

The PowerPoint Presentations are available for teacher to use and support the teaching of Lessons 1 and 2 from this book for classes in KS1. 

Zlata’s Diary KS 2 Lesson Plans and Resources

Written by Zlata Filipovic 

A heartbreaking true story of Zlata and her family, written in diary form, that shows the devastating effects of war in Sarajevo in the 1990s. Zlata’s story is still very apt and relevant as she shares her experiences of war with us.

Through two lessons, children will cover the following objectives:

 Lesson 1:

I can describe some of the ways war can affect children, including their human rights

 Lesson 2:

I can explain how to be a good neighbour and how to get help in my neighbourhood.

Zlata’s Diary  – KS 2/3  Unit Overview 

Read the overview to learn more about:

Zlata’s Dairy   - KS2/3  PPT for lessons 

The PowerPoint Presentations are available for teachers to use and support the teaching of Lessons 1 and 2 from this book for classes in KS2 and 3.