Teachers Notes
"Waterbabies" Education Pack (Key-stage 2)
The "Waterbabies" Education pack combines Victorian History, Geography (global citizenship), Literature and IT. This pack is also useful for Curriculum Cymraeg and PSE topics. It can be used with or without the "Waterbabies" Dance project. The questions within this package are designed to be used as teacher lead discussions - not as stand alone questions for the pupils. Teachers can pick and choose which resources they wish to display to the class.
See the full list of curriculum targets which this pack fulfills.
Objectives:
- To encourage the use of the computer within the classroom.
- To link environmental issues with historical ones.
- To provide teachers with lesson structures and discussion topics.
PART 1: The Waterbabies Story
[image: Tom]
The Waterbabies story is summarised into eight on-line chapters - with photographs. The story can be read aloud by a teacher or you can press a button to listen to a pre-recorded reading. A chapter can be read each day or a few each day - depending on your needs. As a class, read the whole story then return to chapter 1 to listen to that chapter again. When you have finished click the button at the bottom of chapter 1 to move forward to Part 2 to use the discussion ideas. Please read through the worksheets before you attempt them as a class.
PART 2: Environment (Discussion Ideas)
[image: Our environment]
These questions are designed to be used as teacher lead discussions - not as stand alone questions for the pupils. Teachers can pick and choose which resources they wish to display to the class.
This section begins by comparing the life of the main character in the story (Tom) with that of our lives today. In seven questions and answers pupils learn about some of the differences in our everyday lives compared to those of children who lived in the 1800's. Life expectancy, living conditions and the effects of our lifestyles on the environment are discussed. This section concludes with ' Five easy ways to make our world a better place and reduce global warming'. The class is then asked 'Which one can you do?'
PART 3: Did Children Really Work?
[image: Factory]
These questions are designed to be used as teacher lead discussions - not as stand alone questions for the pupils. Teachers can pick and choose which resources they wish to display to the class.
Part 3 looks at the work Tom did in the story and compares it with real life examples of children who worked throughout Wales.
PART 4: The Dance & Performance
[image: Illustration]
Illustration
It is advisable that your pupils complete the education pack (parts 1-3) before taking part in the dance. If you wish your class to take part in the dance, then please contact the SCAN Officer for details, on (02920) 573304 or E-mail.
Your school will receive a full day visit from our dance specialists. During the visit your pupils are taught to animate episodes from the children's classic book " The Waterbabies" by Charles Kingsley. They explore themes such as the characters, the wildlife and the time in which the book was written. The dance is an exciting ecological journey through water.
Many of the schools that take part in the Waterbabies Dance Project hold a performance for their relatives and other members of the community. In addition to performing, pupils have the opportunity to present and discuss any environmental project work they have carried out as a class and can discuss the issues that concern them with other community members. The SCAN Officer will help you arrange this event if required and can invite any relevant Councilors in order to make sure the pupils opinions are heard. If a cluster of schools in your area are taking part then you could hold a joint performance.