Urban Spaces Near You

Urban Spaces Near You, published by the Nuffield Foundation, was produced by a team led by the Nuffield Primary History Director, Jacqui Dean. The materials have been designed to support learning in history, literacy, art and design and science at Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, using opportunities for learning provided by urban spaces such as parks and gardens.

The project is cross-curricular and the four subjects are linked, whilst preserving their distinctive nature. Activities include fieldwork such as observation, recording and information-gathering, as a stimulus for activities back in the classroom, including creative work. Some of the materials were originally developed for primary schools in central London as part of the Gordon and Woburn Squares Primary Project, but can be used in most urban parks and gardens.

Aims and Objectives
The materials aim to develop understanding through inquiry about their local environment. An inquiry approach is promoted through questions suggested for teachers to ask. There are indications of where particular activities are related to the 1999 National Curriculum for England in English and Science.

Approach
The book is in four sections which present activities in history, literacy, art and design and science. Each section is organised to suit the material. In the history section, there are separate activities for Key Stage One and for Key Stage Two. In each case the activities begin with a walk in the selected public space, a street or park. There are questions for teachers to ask to draw attention to particular aspects. Students take photographs using digital cameras and may use local libraries to look up records of how the local environment has changed. Classroom activities include reference to census data, historical drama on television and stories. Some activities concerning the origin of plants in the park and gardens are linked to the science section.

In the literacy section, activities are not divided by key stage. They focus around stories about The Green Man, developing vocabulary and using computers to research the forms in which images and stories can be found, using a recording frame to summarise key points. Stories are provided for teachers and children to read.

The activities in the Art and Design section are mostly suitable for both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, with some specifically designed for a Key Stage. Observations of local features, such as street furniture, arise from a walk which can be combined with the history activities.

The science section is divided into activities for Key Stage One, Key Stage Two (Years Three and Four) and Key Stage Two (Years Five and Six). The progression in the National Curriculum for Science is reflected in the activities proposed for each age group.