Welcome to London

Build city buildings, discover which Earth Cub characters will join you on your city adventure. Frankie Fox introduces the city!

Lesson steps

Prior to children entering, leave piles of toy and wooden blocks around your classroom.

Hide the Map of the World, Amazing City Images and Earth Cubs character masks.

London Clues

A selection of downloads to use as clues in the classroom. Includes: a map of the world with the London located and Earth Cubs character masks.

Gather together to discuss what they have found.

Stick the Earth Cubs character masks, Map of the World and Amazing City Images on the wall as you talk through them. Who could the characters be? Where have these photographs been taken?

What is a physical feature vs a human feature? Can you name the physical and human features?

Physical features: the Earth's natural features e.g. mountains. Human features: man made features e.g. a bridge.

Explain the city of London will be the focus of the learning.

Frankie's Letter

Yay! A letter from Frankie the Fox introducing the city of London!

Explain that countryside places are called ‘rural’ and towns and cities are called ‘urban’.

Use Google Earth to find aerial images of London and a rural location e.g. Peak District National Park. Talk about the similarities and differences.

Read Frankie’s Letter to explain the task.

Watch the City Intro video.

Ask children to work together in groups, find toy blocks, paper, pens and choose a human (man-made) feature to build. Bring all the work together to see the 3D map of London.

London Intro

Fun video introducing the city of London, featuring Frankie the Fox and friends!

Learning outcomes

Make a collaborative 3d map of London.

Understand the terms ‘physical’ and ‘human’ features.

Use geographical vocabulary.

Questions

What cities have you visited?

How is the countryside different?

Can you find London on a map?

Vocabulary

physical features

human features

rural

urban

aerial photos

pollution

Activity ideas

City words!

Write city words on the whiteboard. Ask children to look up their meaning in the dictionary. Scribe their questions and thoughts to start making a working wall. Take photographs of their models to display.

Explore the city of London on the Earth Cubs game

Use the tablets to introduce or revisit the Earth Cubs game. Some children may be familiar with the game.  If so, allow them to guide you through the level.