Land Use at Battlebridge
Introduction
This lesson looks at the history of the Battlebridge Basin and its
surroundings over the past 200 years. It traces the changes patterns of land
use in the area, from the time when Battlebridge was a village in open
countryside, through the construction of the canal and period of rapid
urbanisation to the regeneration of the 21st century.
National Curriculum
- KS3 History: Historical enquiry 4 Local, British, European & world
history 7, Britain 1750-1900 10
- KS3 Geography Geographical Enquiry & Skills 1d, 2c & d, Breadth of
Study 6h
Learning Objectives
- To understand the reasons that the Regent's Canal was built, and the
function of Battlebridge Basin as a place of transhipment and storage.
- To understand the function of the warehouses along the wharves.
- To explore the complete changes of land use in the area over the past 300
years.
Differentiation
- All children will learn that the canal was used to transport commercial
cargo
- Most children will be able to name some of the cargoes carried, explain how
they were used, and explain what the function of the Basin was.
- Some children will understand the changing nature of land use in the area
over the past 300 years.
Lesson Plan - Land Use at BB Basin
(PDF)
The Future of Canals
Introduction
This lesson examines the past history of freight transport on the British
canal system, and asks whether it is possible for freight carrying to be
redeveloped in the 21st century.
National Curriculum
- KS3 Geography Geographical Enquiry and Skills 1d Breadth of Study K
Resource Issues iii
Learning Objectives
- To understand that the British canal system was originally constructed for
carrying freight and not for leisure craft.
- To understand the reasons why freight carrying declined in the 19th and
20th centuries.
- To examine the reasons why canal transport may represent a positive option
for the carrying of certain types of freight in the 21st century.
Differentiation
- All children will learn that canal transport is a relatively green mode of
transport with a low carbon footprint.
- Most children will understand that canals may be used again in the future
to carry commercial freight as part of a sustainable British transport network.
- Some children will understand the complex economic and political factors
that will affect the return of commercial freight carrying.
Lesson Plan - Future of Canals (PDF)
Explosion!
Introduction
This
lesson looks at the events surrounding a serious explosion that took place
beneath the Macclesfield Bridge (illustrated) on the Regent's Canal in London
on the 2nd of October 1874. It examines what the explosion can tell us about
industrial safety standards in the 19th century, and how the events were
reported in the newspapers of the day. It gives an opportunity to question
primary source material, and write a newspaper style report.
National Curriculum
- KS3 History:Historical enquiry
- KS3 History Breadth of Study
- KS3 English En 3 Writing: Knowledge, Skills & Understanding
Learning Objectives
- To explore the value of newspapers and magazines as valuable historical
sources.
- To contrast the standards of Victorian industrial safety with the rules in
existence today
- To practice skimming text for information.
- To practice writing a piece of factual reporting.
Differentiation
- All children will learn that an accident took place on the Regent's Canal
in 1874.
- Most children will understand the value of newspapers and magazines as
primary historical sources, be able to skim text for information, and write a
simple report on what happened.
- Some children will understand the difficulties posed by using newspapers as
source material.
Lesson Plan - Explosion (PDF
Format)
