Activity 1.1: your place or mine

Introduction

In this activity the inquiry is established. Students describe their local environment, exploring perceptions and feelings about place.

Duration

90 minutes

Resources

• The tale of Johnny Town-mouse by Beatrix Potter
  The story is used as an introductory stimulus.
• The tale of Johnny Town-mouse is also available as an ebook at
  www.gutenberg.org/files/15284/15284-h/15284-h.htm.

• Activity stepsShow details
  1. Begin by reading the class The tale of Johnny Town-mouse. Students may remember this story from when they were younger. The story has some quite sophisticated concepts that can also be related to Aesop's well-known fable 'The town mouse and the country mouse'. Explain to students that they will be exploring ideas in the book they probably would not have thought about when they were younger.
  2. After reading the story, have the class discuss the similarities and differences between each mouse's home and local environment. Frame questions around the natural and human features, climate and weather and population density of each place. Discuss how both mice seemed unprepared and lacked knowledge when visiting each other, and consider why each mouse thought they lived at the best place.
  3. Questions could include:
     • How would you describe where Johnny Town-mouse and Timmy Willie lived?
     • What were the similarities between each place? What were the differences?
     • Why do you think both mice liked their own place better?
     • Was one place better than the other? What makes you think that?
     • How could each of their visits been made easier, or more enjoyable?
     • What type of information helps us gain an understanding about a place?
     • Have you ever gone on a holiday where you have been glad to get home?
     • If you were going to visit another place, what information would you like to have before going there? Ask students to draw on their own holiday experiences.
     • If you were going to explain where you live, what information do you think would help someone with their visit?
  4. You could record responses on a T-chart.
  3. Drawing upon the discussion, instruct each student to produce a written text and illustration describing where they live and what they like about it. This could be in the form of a postcard, poster or pamphlet. Encourage students to use terminology introduced during the discussion. Display students' work where it can be available to be used in the next activity.