GEOGRAPHY
A variety of activities to fit in with the National Curriculum requirements for geography at key stages 1 and 2. Please discuss with the centre which activities would suit your group and which can be fitted in with the time available.
KS1
Point to Point
Using one of our small fields we look at a map of the area. Cards hang at various points on the field, shown by numbers on the map. In pairs, the children visit each point collecting information. (Writing a letter, number and shape and colouring in)
KS1 Point to Point Maze Field map
KS1 Point to Point Maze Field answers
KS1 Animal Trail Blacksmith's Meadow map
Grid References
A map and boards with grid lines are used for this activity as well as lines on the ground. The children are given a card each and find the right place to stand on the grid.
KS1 Photos of grid references and cabins' field map
Keys and Symbols
As a group we match an area with a representation painted on a board. Cards around the field match the numbers to the board. With a partner the children have to go to a particular number and collect a picture of an animal that lives there. They bring it back and put it on the board in the correct place.
Animal Trail
In groups with an adult, the children go on a trail following a map, marking on the map where they find animals on the way. They count some and write down the number spotted. This is a short circular trail.
NSEW Hide and Seek
Four soft toys are hidden at the four points of the compass. After lining up at the four points children follow the leader of their line to find the toy
KS2
Point to Point
In pairs the children are given a map. Information cards are hanging on trees and marked on the map. Letters and numbers are written on the cards. The pairs of children visit each card writing down the number and letter. The number sends them to the next card. The letter is part of an anagram (there are different words for each pair) The children solve their anagram.
Spinney point to point answers
Grid References
The children are given a map of our picnic site where they learn about grid references using their map.
Grid reference hunt picnic site
Answers grid reference picnic site
Keys and Symbols
In pairs one child has a map the other a key. They move around the area lining up objects on their map, drawing the symbols with the numbers added to the key.
Mapping skills Blacksmith's Meadow map
Treasure Island
A rope is thrown on the ground. Children draw the shape of the "island" on paper and are given words such as church or pond and have to find objects to represent that word. The items and words are plotted on the "island" A key is drawn and symbols next to the word. A symbol is drawn on the map in the correct place.
Compass Work
The children gather in a group facing north. They are shown how to use a compass. They are taught to read bearings from A to B and how to walk on a particular bearing to get them around a course.
Another activity takes them in paris from one card to another writing down the bearings at each point.
How to use a compass page 1 page 2
Trails
Various trails are available of different length and ability, some need compasses others rely on written instructions or map.
Photos on the Thornham Adventure Trail
Photos on the Thornham Trekking Trail
Compass Trail Compass Trail answer sheet
Land Use Trail
A group activity walking on the estate filling in a key and putting symbols on a map. The key has the numbers on the map, gird references, symbols and land uses.
Village Trail
A trail round the village of Thornham Magna using it as a contrasting locality. Children look at the rural village, its houses, places of employment and environment and a tally of the buildings is kept.
Click here for Village Trail questions
Click here for Village Trail answer sheet
Click here for Village Trail map
Click here for Village Trail tally sheet
Photo Trail
A trail using photos as your guide around the estate
Compass, land use and habitat trail NEW for 2009
Follow a trail looking at different areas on the Estate and how they are used for different puposes including natural habitats.