There are numerous educational resources available from the European Union Centers.
In terms of grade K-12 materials, our content is divided into four sections:
General
This online "textbook" serves as an introduction to economics through the lens of the European Union for high school students and teachers.
General
A powerpoint slideshow about the history, structure, and process of the European Union prepared by Prof. Joseph Jupille.
General
Downloadable 8-page booklet summarizing the main purpose and functions of the EU. Formatted in bookfold format for easy reading.
General
Web portfolio that Includes a series of materials equipping instructors with tools to incorporate the EU into classrooms. Materials and overheads are available for the following: An EU primer; European Monetary Union; Common Foreign and Security Policy; European Union Enlargement; Europe and the Environment.
Enlargement
A comprehensive curriculum guide that can be taught in five focused lessons. The objective of the curriculum is to inform students about Europe and its increasing economic, cultural, and political importance in an interdependent and interconnected world.
EMU
Studying the euro offers teachers an opportunity to introduce this historic event into the classroom while teaching across disciplines. Here, several activities are presented for the foreign language and social studies classrooms. These lessons provide a brief history of the euro and engage students in hands-on activities that utilize cultural, math, art, and comparative thinking skills.
Foreign / Security Policy
An extensive look at how the crisis in the Balkans put EU foreign policy issues in relief. Includes the following sections: Introduction; Background to the Conflict; the Peoples of Yugoslavia; War in the Making; Tough Decisions; Keeping the Peace; A Mission in Bosnia; Mapping the Future
Identity / Multicultural
Curriculum development project in which a group of five teachers from three Ann Arbor high schools examine the concept of European citizenship and religion in various countries.
Identity / Multicultural
Multimedia website focusing on issues of identity and cultural clashes in contemporary France and Europe
Identity / Multicultural
Multimedia website tracing several variants of francophone identity and culture.
NATO / Security
A comprehensive curriculum guide that can be adapted to either a two or five-day format. This curriculum deals with the simultaneous enlargement of the EU and NATO, causing an array of political, social, and economic changes that we must be equipped to confront.
[Students ages 8-15]. Stimulating website includes interactive games for learning about Europe. For example, "Let's explore Europe" allows one to simulate travel in time and space to discover Europe. Other games involve matching cards with the flags of EU member countries, or reconstructing pictures of European landscapes and monuments. A musical game plays national anthems and allows children to play and record their own 'anthem'.
* French, German, and Spanish pages are especially useful for foreign language classes at the intermediate level [Students ages 8-18].
[Students ages 10-15]. Site examining earth science principles and EU policy to support the environment.
[Students ages 15-25]. This site offers many opportunities to budding filmmakers, aspiring diplomats, and community activists. It is an information source as well as a 'place' for interacting with other young Europeanists. Generous funding and grant opportunities, as well as discussion boards, round out this vital new site.
[Teachers | Students]. This online glossary contains some 220 terms relating to European integration and the institutions and activities of the EU.
[Teachers | Students]. An online service giving access to publications from the EU institutions, agencies and other bodies. In addition to the online bookshop, this service will offer an online catalogue and archive of all EU publications. EU Bookshop will allow users to search for EU publications, order them and where possible, download copies.
[Teachers | Advanced Students]. CD-ROM available from
EUCE Network Coordinator. Contains the following three sections: How the EU works institutionally; How the EU works to protect quality of life in Europe; How the EU works to help trade and commerce in Europe.
[Teachers | Advanced Students]. CD-ROM available from
EUCE Network Coordinator. Contains the following two sections: How the EU works with its close neighbors; How the EU helps the developing world.
Professional Booklets
The following booklets were professionally designed and produced by the European Commission to provide overviews of numerous subject areas pertinent to the European Union. Teachers may freely download these colorful and informative PDF files, each approximately 24 pages in length, for classroom use.
These booklets may also be ordered, free of charge, in hardcopy form from the EU bookshop.
[Teachers, Grades 2-6]. This booklet may be used by teachers as a basis for a lesson plan, or it can be distributed to students as a self-paced learning guide. "What scorching weather!" takes the form of a narrative about the environment. It is geared to younger children in the K-6 range, especially appropriate for grades 2-6. In color. Contains 20 pages of text, with cover pages and intro, booklet is 24 pages.
[Teachers, Grades 5-8]. This booklet may be used by teachers as a basis for a lesson plan, or it can be distributed to students as a self-paced learning guide. "Climate change" is a young person's policy study on climate change, briefing students on the scientific causes of climate change, from the green house effect and the role of scientists in dissecting evidence to intergovernmental efforts to control global warming. Most appropriate for grades 5-9. In color. Booklet is 24 pages.
[Teachers, Grades 2-6]. This booklet may be used by teachers as a basis for a lesson plan, or it can be distributed to students as a self-paced learning guide. "You beautiful swallows!" takes the form of a narrative about the unintended effects of agricultural pesticides on animals and nature. It is geared to younger children in the K-6 range, especially appropriate for grades 2-6. In color. Contains 20 pages of text, with cover pages and intro, booklet is 24 pages.
[Teachers, Grades 2-6]. This booklet may be used by teachers as a basis for a lesson plan, or it can be distributed to students as a self-paced learning guide. "The salmon" takes the form of a narrative about the potentially ill effects of water pollution on the fish in our rivers and streams. It is geared to younger children in the K-6 range, especially appropriate for grades 2-6. In color. Contains 20 pages of text, with cover pages and intro, booklet is 24 pages.
[Teachers, Grades 2-6]. This booklet may be used by teachers as a basis for a lesson plan, or it can be distributed to students as a self-paced learning guide. "Let me tell you a secret" takes the form of a narrative about the implications of the industrial pollution in our cities and towns for our planet. Geared to younger children in the K-6 range, it is especially appropriate for grades 2-4. In color. Contains 20 pages of text, with cover pages and intro, booklet is 24 pages.
[Teachers, Grades 2-6]. This booklet may be used by teachers as a basis for a lesson plan, or it can be distributed to students as a self-paced learning guide. "The children's green thread" takes numerous literary forms, all authored by children. From letters to mankind, to poetry, to short stories, children use their own voice to express their feelings about the environment. Appropriate for children in grades 2-6. In color. Booklet is 23 pages.
We have collected a series of short videos produced by the EU for
classroom use. They have been compiled into 2 CD-ROMs available
from the EUCE of North Carolina. Contact
euce@unc.edu for more information.
