Green Space - Flooding by ATKINS-JONES, PETER (PGT) https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8 Climate Change through Science and D&T en-us 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC 2025-10-01 22:23:09 UTC hello@padlet.com Key inspiration - flooding is a worldwide problem and can happen anytime. Our school lies along the Yangtze River, the third-longest in the world. It is important for students to understand the cause and effect of flooding and be prepared to respond in the case of an emergency. peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569556998 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569556998 Names: Peter Atkins-Jones, Group C peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557001 Subject: Science and D&T
Focus group: Grade 4 (class of 14)
LO: To enable pupils to understand the problems of flooding and how they can use science to create floating gardens.
Overall idea: Pupils undertake visual research, learning about how flooding has impacted selected countries that relate to the cultural experience of pupils.  They have a hands-on experiment to understand the difference between sinking and floating and spark discussion on which materials float better. They have some input on International understanding about which countries and areas are more likely to suffer from flooding. Finally, they work in small groups to design their own floating garden, build the garden and finally test it in a small body of water.]]> 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557001 Nanjing - urban setting with limited grounds. 7 boys, 7 girls with 1 pupil with SEND. peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557005 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557005 A group of 14 mixed-ability Grade 4 pupils learning in an International school in China. They are mainly Chinese nationals with varying levels of English ability (pre A1-high B1). peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557007 This group finds learning through practical craft-based activity engaging, whilst they need considerable support for explanations/descriptions in English.  They touched upon natural disasters in their first unit of learning, covering tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes. This scheme of learning will enable pupils to explore the interface between cultural heritage, climate change and Science and Design & Technology. It will also develop their awareness of collaborative, contemporary D&T practice that engages with current social issues.]]> 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557007 The impact of climate change on Pakistan - British Red Cross report on flooding peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557010 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557010 D&T - STEM challenge peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557013 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557013 Learning strands: peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557014 Knowledge: 
  • What the difference is between sinking and floating, and which materials are most buoyant?
  • How climate change is impacting selected countries that could spread to urban China.
  • How science can be used to combat the issues faced by rapidly changing climate change - preparing students for the future.
Skills:
  • How to undertake basic visual research through the use of images.
  • How to translate a drawn design into a working model.
  • How to work collaboratively within a project.
  • How to create a cress garden.
Values:
  • To develop a global perspective and awareness of the impacts of climate change and our interconnectedness.
  • To develop a deeper understanding of the various climate issues facing our generation of learners.
  • To reflect upon ways of living that reduce the impact of climate change and promote climate justice.






]]> 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557014 Floating gardens Bangladesh. peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557020 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557020 Sequence of Learning Activities peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557021 1. Class discussion: students observe the teacher placing different objects in a clear tub of water Students have thinking time to discuss whether they think each object will float and why.  10 mins.
2. Peer dialogue: the teacher tells the students the next three objects which will be placed in the water, and the students have to decide whether they will float or sink. Ask students to come up with reasons why.  15 mins.
3. Teaching Input: students undertake a STEM activity to investigate the theory of buoyancy on their own. 45 mins.
4. Visual research: why is it important to learn about floating and sinking? Distribute the photos from the floating garden challenge. https://practicalaction.org/schools/floating-garden-challenge/ Elicit from students what they can see and ask students to put the pictures into two different columns. Elicit from students which countries they know that flood. 15 mins.
5. Introduce Bangladesh - ask students to guess which country we will be looking at. Describe the situation there that the monsoon lasts longer now because of poor climate control. Cover the global goals briefly. 15mins
6. Planning: students draft their first design. Students decide what will the students use to create their craft and think about the sustainability of the materials, whether they are eco-friendly, will they cause problems in the future.  60 mins.
7. Mini-plenary: students discuss their design with the rest of the class. What do they like about each other’s work? What could be improved? Two stars, one wish and peer feedback. 15 mins.
8. Collaboration: as a group, students work on making their design a reality. Students have time to work in their fixed groups to build the floating garden that their team has already designed. 60 mins.
9. Test stage: take the students to a body of water. Make it a competition to see whose floating garden lasts the longest. Invite parents to witness the tests, and hear explanations from the students as to why it is important. 30 minutes. 
10. Pair Reflection: which designs worked best? Could we use more sustainable materials? 10 mins.
EXT task - teach children how to grow a cress garden and turn the project into a reality over the course of a term.
TOTAL 4 and a half hours of learning time.


]]> 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557021 Teaching through a wide variety of pedagogies peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557023
  • Whole class discussion - dialogic teaching 
  • Peer to peer dialogue
  • Research methodologies - critical pedagogy 
  • Positive engagement with and understanding of diverse heritages - anti-racist pedagogy 
  • Live modelling supported by video
  • Opportunities for purposeful practice 
  • Collaborative work - negotiation and discussion 
  • Empowering student voice - critical pedagogy - enabling learners to "own" their learning and present it to their peers
  • Encouraging metacognition - clarity around learning of knowledge, skills and values ensures frequent opportunities for students to reflect upon learning

    • ]]>     2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557023     Key classroom resources include: peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557033
  • Practical action website.
  • Drawing pencils and paper.
  • Twinkl STEM floating and sinking activity.
  • A large clear bucket or tub for the STEM activity and class demonstration.
  • A safe body of water for the students to test their creations.
  • Recycled plastics and wood - used for the student's creations.
  • TA support for translating explanations and supporting students with vocabulary.

    • ]]>     2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557033     Display the floating gardens in the classroom (with or without cress gardens) peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557036 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557036 Test day with parents and students. peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557038 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557038 A floating garden STEM peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557039 2023-04-27 01:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569557039 peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569607397 2023-04-27 01:51:44 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569607397 STEM activity ppt peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569608680 2023-04-27 01:52:47 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569608680 Large bucket used for the class demonstration of floating and sinking. peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569609795 2023-04-27 01:53:45 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569609795 A safe body of water for children to test their creations. peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569610657 2023-04-27 01:54:23 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569610657 Recycled plastics and wood for creating the garden. peteratkinsjones1 https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569613447 2023-04-27 01:56:51 UTC https://padlet.com/peteratkinsjones1/p43gm4o2lru7kcd8/wish/2569613447