Nationalities (Pages 8-9)
KS2/ KS3
- Discuss the idea of continents. Give each pupil a base-map of the world. Ask them to name and label the seven continents: Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Antarctica, and then to draw ‘stick people’ on the map to represent the number of people living in each one. (Use the numbers given in the book on page 8).
KS2/KS3
- Discuss why many people live in some areas, and very few, or none; in others (e.g. Antarctica). Consider factors such as climate and relief (shape of the land) and consider how these factors affect the ways people live, for example by comparing life in the Himalayas with life in the Sahara Desert. Different groups of pupils could also focus on particular aspects of life; such as farming, food production, water supply, building materials, clothing and transport.
KS3
- Discuss what we mean by a ‘country’ — there are plenty of issues to talk about; such as its geographical, political, cultural and racial identity. Considering the difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and the British Isles may be a good starting point.
KS2/ KS3
- Discuss why so many people want to live somewhere else. Mark on to a map other places where the students have lived, or where they might like to live in the future.
KS2/KS3
- Ask the pupils to prepare a presentation about a place that they have visited or lived in. This may be abroad or in the same country. The story should focus on what was different about the place, but also what was similar; and they could bring in realia (such as photographs and currency) to support their presentation. This activity could also be done as a piece of writing, based on research on a country they would like to visit.
KS3
- With the pupils, use a globe to find the latitude and longitude of your school. Next, ask the pupils; in pairs, to find the exact opposite location on the globe and describe it. Is it in the ocean? Are there any islands close by? Or is it on land? What is the closest city or town? As a follow on activity — one pair chooses a city and then finds and describes the latitude and longitude of the opposite location to another pair. The other pair must then work backwards to find the chosen city. The pairs then swap roles.
The following are ideas for short games and can be used at KS2 and KS3:
- One student chooses a country and the next person has to name the bordering country. For example, Spain = France or Portugal. This then continues around the class.
- Using atlases or globes, invite a pupil to name a country and then ask the class to name the country’s capital, or vice versa. Repeat this around the class. Over time, this game should be played without the help of the atlas or globe.
- One pupil begins by naming a country, then the next person has to name a country beginning with the last letter of the first country. For example, England = Denmark. Carry on until the chain is broken, or a country is repeated.
