Explore the latest Picture News resource here Acts of kindness, creativity and determination can often have a powerful impact during difficult times. Around the world, people find different ways to support others, solve problems and bring hope to their communities, even when facing huge challenges themselves - and perhaps this is something important for children to reflect on too. This week’s Picture News story focuses on teenage sisters Tala and Farah Mousa from Gaza, who created a project called Build Hope after their home was destroyed during the war. Using rubble from damaged buildings, they developed a way to create new bricks that could help rebuild communities and support the environment at the same time. Their idea later won The Earth Prize for the Middle East region, recognising young people creating solutions for environmental challenges. A creative idea: a primary school assembly discussion Children are introduced to the Build Hope project and learn how the sisters transformed rubble from destroyed buildings into bricks using materials such as clay, ash and straw. They explore why the girls created the project, consider the challenges they faced and discuss how creative ideas can sometimes make a positive difference during difficult situations. Children also learn about The Earth Prize and how young people around the world are recognised for ideas that help communities and the environment. Assembly resource used to support discussion about the Build Hope project PSHE and classroom discussion in primary schools This story provides opportunities for children to explore emotions such as hope, sadness, worry and determination when discussing difficult situations. Using the emotion response grid included in every Picture News pack, children can develop the vocabulary needed to identify, articulate and discuss their feelings, helping them better understand both their own experiences and those of others. Emotion response grid which helps to support vocabulary for naming emotions The story also encourages empathy and discussion about how people may experience challenges differently. Links can also be made to the Protected Characteristic of sex and the UN Rights of the Child, while encouraging children to discuss, question and share their own views respectfully. Resources supporting discussion about feelings, empathy, Protected Characteristics and children’s rights Supporting oracy and vocabulary development in primary schools Strong speaking and listening skills underpin almost every area of learning, helping children organise their thoughts, explain ideas, build confidence and engage meaningfully with the world around them. With proposed curriculum changes expected from 2028 placing greater emphasis on oracy and spoken language, creating regular opportunities for high-quality discussion within the classroom is becoming increasingly important. Each Picture News pack includes weekly vocabulary linked directly to the story, exposing children to a broad range of ambitious language and helping them understand, apply and confidently use new words in context. For this story, vocabulary such as hope, conflict and venture supports children in discussing complex ideas and emotions with greater clarity and depth. Each week, children are introduced to new vocabulary linked to the story, alongside child-friendly definitions designed to encourage understanding, discussion and confident language use Further discussion activities, including the Teaching the News Activity Cards, can be found in the Useful Resources section of the members’ area on the Picture News website. Available to all subscribed schools, these printable resources help support active discussion, thoughtful reflection and language-rich classroom conversations, and can be used as morning starter activities, within PSHE lessons or during reflection and discussion time throughout the school day. Teaching the News activity cards and discussion prompts support speaking, listening, reflection and classroom conversation. Using current events in primary school assemblies and lessons The story of Build Hope gives children the opportunity to explore how people can respond to hardship with resilience, creativity and determination. It encourages thoughtful discussion about the ways individuals and communities support one another during challenging times. By learning about Tala and Farah’s project, children can reflect on how hopeful ideas, teamwork and perseverance can help people rebuild and move forward, even in incredibly difficult circumstances. The reflection page supports the final part of the assembly, helping to draw together learning Explore the latest Picture News resource here
