The Teacher Zone - Key Stage 2 Activities

1. Roses & Castles

Introduction

During the 19th century the families who lived on canal boats began to decorate them, to make them look good & feel special. Not only did they paint the boats, they also decorated many of the jugs, bowls, and other things they used every day. The museum has a collection of things painted in this way.

National Curriculum & QCA Links

KS2 Art & Design Exploring and developing ideas 1a, b, & c and Knowledge and understanding 4

Learning Objectives

To learn that for many years, entire families lived and worked on the canal boats.
To learn about the traditional designs that were used.
To learn about who painted the boats.
To understand the difference between 'folk art' and professional art.

Roses & Castles Activity Sheet (PDF)

2) Transport in the 1930s

Introduction:

The film 'Barging Through London' which can be seen every day at the Museum, is a wonderful record of transport in London nearly eighty years ago.

National Curriculum & QCA Links

KS2 History: Historical enquiry 4 KS2 History: Britain since 1930 11(b)

Learning Objectives

To understand that canals were still commercially important in Britain in the 1930s
To learn how the narrow boats were powered and operated during their journeys
To learn about other forms of urban transport commonly in use at the time.
To divide the forms of transport into those still in use today, and those which have disappeared completely.

Transport in the 1930s activity sheet (PDF Format)

3. Victorian Trail

Introduction:

This is a set of stimulating activities for KS2 children. The activities encourage interaction with the museum exhibits and empathy with the Victorian era, developing skills in interpretation and imagination. It provides an opportunity to practice key analytical skills outlined in the National Curriculum. It works at attainment levels 3/4 in 'Knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past' enabling students to analyse different historical situations to explain change and cause and identify aspects of everyday life which may or may not have changed over the last two hundred years

National Curriculum Links and QCA

KS2 History: Knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past 2, Victorian Britain 11a
QCA History Unit 11 What was it like for children living in Victorian Britain?

Learning Objectives

To find out more about the living conditions on canal boats
To learn about the lives`of children in canal families
To find out more about the Victorian ice trade.
To learn about the role of ice cream in Victorian society.
To learn how cargoes were put on and taken off canal boats.
To learn the role that horses played in canal transport.
To learn why the advent of the railways caused the decline of the canals.

Victorian Trail (PDF Format)

4. Maths Trail

Introduction:

Children using weighing machines, exhibition in background

The Maths Trail is a set of stimulating activities for KS2 students, which encourages strategic thinking and lateral problem solving. It also gives them a chance to practice a number of other skills, including accurate measurement of length and weight, mental calculation, the use of time lines, estimation, & symmetry.

National Curriculum Links

KS2 Mathematics Ma2 Number & Algebra Using & Applying Number 1 Solving Numerical Problems 4, Ma3 Shape, Space & Measures: Understanding Properties of Shape 2b, Understanding Measures 4a

Learning Objectives

To develop weighing and linear measuring skills, using standard units.
To develop problem solving skills
To develop estimation skills
To improve powers of mental calculation
To examine the lines of symmetry in traditional canal art.

Maths Trail (PDF Format)

5. Henrietta's Museum Trail - The Canal Detectives

Introduction:

cartoon horse character - Henrietta is her name

Henrietta is the museum's full sized model horse. We named this trail after her. The trail is identified by a horse cartoon logo.

The Canal Detectives Trail provides a useful introduction to the different areas of the Museum, and the topics they cover. With links into the History and Science requirements of the National Curriculum, it is most suitable for Key Stage Two and early Key Stage Three students.

National Curriculum Links

NC KS2 History Historical enquiry 4, Breadth of study 6, Victorian Britain 11a.
KS2 Science Sc3 Materials and their Properties - Changing Materials 2b

Learning Objectives

To explore the internal structure of the canal boat Coronis.
To learn about the clothing worn by 19th century canal people
To learn about how and why the gauging rod was used.
To learn about Carlo Gatti, and his ice importing business based at Battlebridge Basin in the 19th century.
To learn how horses were used to pull narrow boats, and how they were cared for.

Henrietta's Canal Detectives Trail (PDF Format) (Note that another version of the trail, for family use, is available in the Family Zone)

Key Stage 2 Activities

From art to maths

1. Roses & Castles

Introduction

National Curriculum & QCA Links

Learning Objectives

2) Transport in the 1930s

Introduction:

National Curriculum & QCA Links

Learning Objectives

3. Victorian Trail

Introduction:

National Curriculum Links and QCA

Learning Objectives

4. Maths Trail

Introduction:

National Curriculum Links

Learning Objectives

5. Henrietta's Museum Trail - The Canal Detectives

Introduction:

National Curriculum Links

Learning Objectives