Developing children’s understanding of how a settlement grows, fieldwork skills of mapping and survey work, this day links to the geography curriculum.
The children look at the shape of the landscape, discuss the history of the settlement in brief, point out geographical features: physical landscape & human activity. By arrangement with English Heritage it is possible to incorporate a visit to the top of the keep at Totnes Castle to make field sketches, noting compass directions.
Discussion follows about the needs of the town today and the impact of Conservation Rules and a guided walk provides the children with a real feel of the town today. In the afternoon the children are organised in five survey groups to investigate issues. Each group must be accompanied by an adult as they move around the town to collect opinions from local people.
The information they collect can be analysed in their groups back in school: materials are provided for teachers to support follow up activities. Statements investigated include:
“Totnes is a great place for children”
“Totnes High Street should be pedestrians only”
Alternatively, if you prefer, the whole class can be employed collecting information
to link directly with Unit 12: should the High Street be closed to traffic, with groups
taking responsibility for asking different groups of people.
This day supports elements of Units 6, 9, 12, 13 & 16 of
QCA Geography Schemes of Work
~ teachers are invited to discuss the emphasis they would like
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Feedback from teachers:
“They (the children) loved the day and were full of it. Many positive comments…I liked the group work aspect… The surveys were ‘real’ and meaningful… Lots of ideas and variety in the follow up materials.”