Sign in
Introductory techniques
Stand by a sign somewhere in school / on the street outside or use Street view on Google maps to move along a section of road and ask pupils to spot ‘signs’ in the landscape.
Discuss their shapes, sizes and functions. For example, whether they are warning signs, information signs, giving directions or instructions. Discuss whether all signs are permanent, formal, outside and contain writing or symbols.
Assessing risk
Carry out a sign hunt around school where pupils look for the largest, smallest, most colourful, best shaped, strangest or favourite signs – plotting them on a map.
They might also sort the signs according to their function and create a key to demonstrate the distribution of different types of signs.
In small groups pupils design a sign that they feel needs to be added to the school site or local area to help warn, inform or instruct people to help them stay safe. They need to consider its shape, colour, material, wording and location.
Each group could pitch their proposed sign to the class (and maybe the headteacher too). Ask pupils to vote on which sign they think is most needed. Perhaps the winning sign could be made and added to the school site in a suitable location?
Questions to explore:
- Why are signs important?
- What colours are used to warn of danger?
- What considerations need to be made when creating and locating a sign?
The Geographical Association (GA) has worked closely with the Field Studies Council (FSC) to develop these resources.
