Up, up and away!

Topics Reception/Year 1
This unit is part of We Are Britain Mountains and Major Hills

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Objectives

Geography

Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the UK its surrounding seas.
Use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to key physical features and key human features.
Use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognize landmarks and basic human and physical features.
Devise a simple map.
Use and construct basic symbols in a key.

Lesson Planning

Float through the sky in a hot air balloon – what can you see? Compare images and identify buildings and locate these on a map using symbols.

Teaching Outcomes
To examine aerial photographs and maps, then devise a simple map with symbols.

Children will:

Listen to and enjoy ‘The Blue Balloon’ by Mick Inkpen.
Imagine a ride in a hot air balloon.
Identify basic human and physical features from aerial photos.
Devise own map and basic symbols using a key.
Compare with OS map and symbols, including contour lines.

Planning

Provided Resources

PowerPoint presentation entitled: Up, Up and Away in our beautiful balloon

PowerPoint

You Will Need

Sets of aerial view photos to compare & contrast from PowerPoint
OS map 180 West Oxfordshire or similar resource
OS Explorer map 392 / OL6 /OL17 /
The Blue Balloon by Mick Inkpen
Assortment of party balloons, if possible a helium-filled balloon from a member of staff signifying a personal celebration.

Weblinks

Up Up Up in a balloon - YouTube clip
Hot air balloons over London and surrounding countryside - YouTube clip
Hot air ballons - YouTube clip
Ordnance survey map covering Standlake - from ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Map skills for map symbols - from ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Snap map symbols game - from bbc.co.uk
Map symbol flashcards - from rikkiresources.wordpress.com
Free teaching resources -from ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Understanding contour lines - from ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Map of Slieve Donard mountain N. Ireland - from bbc.co.uk