Introductory techniques

Ask pupils to map the different slopes around the school grounds and note for each one how and if it is being used, what surface covers it and whether it is gentle or steep, recording information in a table such as:

Where was the steepest slope in school? What was it like to go up? Would it be a good place to locate a new storage shed for play equipment? Where would be the best place for it? Ask pupils to carry out a field sketch to show the different levels and slopes.

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Soil and slopes fieldwork

Create a large mound of soil and add some small rocks, larger rocks, twigs leaves and even a little bit of grassy turf to it and ask pupils to select where on the mound they would build a house.

Ask each pupil to collect something that will represent their house and to place it on the hill (coloured Lego bricks can be used if no natural objects available). Using a watering can, pour water over the top of the ‘mountain’ and see how the ‘houses’ are affected and whether a good spot was chosen.

Ask pupils to imagine that the school grounds are a whole county and that county is in desperate need of more housing. Ask them to find the five worst and the five best sites for locating new housing estates and mark these on a map, with annotations as to why. Their reasoning should include, but not be limited to, the slopes and soil types found.

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The Geographical Association (GA) has worked closely with the Field Studies Council (FSC) to develop these resources.