Introduction

The landscape can look very different from different locations even in a small area. By asking pupils to record their own street / road these differences can be identified when all sketches are displayed together. By asking pupils to do the sketch at home or similar, the activity will not need supervision from school. It will also encourage children to be observant about their local area which is sometimes taken for granted.

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Length of time

1 hour or more.

Suitable locations

Windows at home /any suitable buildings.

Equipment needed

Pencils, A4 paper perhaps with window frame drawn on.

Map of the local area – picture books which show a view.

Key skills

• identifying main features in an area
• recognising and recording a variety of both human and physical features
• using geographical vocabulary
• asking and responding to questions based on their own observations
• recognising the link between map and sketches
• developing observational skills
• making comparisons between different areas.

Suggested delivery

Introduction

It will be helpful to talk to children about how to sketch a view as some will find it hard to get started. Sketching in class using a photograph will help them to identify the features they want to add in.

They can also practise drawing out of the classroom window.

Some pupils will draw what they see using symbols rather than actual drawings but that is fine.

You can talk about how places change over time and even from place to place. Using books such as ‘Window’ by Jeanne Baker can illustrate these points very easily.

Setting the task

Ask everyone to sketch the view from one of the windows in the place where they live. They need to think about these points:

• What can I see?
• What’s the furthest thing I can see?
• Describe the road / street – is it busy, empty, quiet, noisy?
• What’s the weather like?

Then asked them to draw in as much as they can adding labels to help identify features.

If suitable to do so, can they open the widow or stand outside to note sounds, smells or noise.

If they are able, ask them to take a photograph of the street.

Back in the classroom

Display the sketches and photographs around a map of the local area ready for discussion.

Reflecting on the task

Ask pupils to think about their street scene and others in the display:

• When might the scene in my street look different? (time of day / weather etc)
• Can I choose 4 words to describe the scene?
• What do I like best / least about the view?
• If I could change one thing what would that be?
• How does my scene look different from others on display?
• How might my street look in the future?

The aim of the exercise is to help children become more observant especially in areas well known to them which they often take for granted and features often go unnoticed. This task prepares them with a number of skills to help with carrying out fieldwork in another area. You could ask pupils / colleagues in a different area / country to send examples of their views.

Potential risks to consider

Make sure adults at home understand the task especially if the drawing is completed outside.

Possible follow-up activities

Sketches can be drawn from different windows in the same building – often showing very different views. Using sketching as a technique for recording features on fieldwork in the local area.

Useful links

Pictures taken during lockdown https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-52743922

Some interesting pictures including a great one of a bear looking in! https://www.boredpanda.com/view-from-your-window/

This collection of Fieldwork activities were created by Paula Richardson and the Fieldwork and Outdoor Learning Special Interest Group (FOLSIG) for the National Festival of Fieldwork, the GA invites everyone to take part during the summer term.