The children in Year 1 have been exploring what the word Geography means and linking this to a variety of tasks in class and within the school grounds. We looked at a map of the school and explored the world using Google Earth. To develop the children’s knowledge further we learnt about the words human and physical and what these meant within the subject of Geography. 

Step 1: The door

Mrs Bailey began to draw a picture and a doorway appeared. We talked about what might be behind the door. We decided to knock and see if anyone would answer. 

A voice spoke and said, “Come in.” We entered a room and discovered a person kneeling on the floor with a briefcase open. We observed and noticed the person looked busy and also worried. We spoke to the person and he told us his name was Mr Brick, he was an architect. He had a top secret job to do but was finding all the work very hard. 
 

The children talked about what they had seen and heard and decided to support Mr Brick with some of his work.

Step 2: The outside world 

Mr Brick required help devising maps of the physical and human environment in the surrounding area. We used our knowledge and skills from our previous work about Geography and began our map creating. 

Step 3: The image

Mr Brick was busy working in his office. He did not hear us outside. We looked through the window and quietly observed him. He began to draw an image on paper.

The children discussed the ideas they had. 

“It’s a suitcase, he needs a pen, paper and scissors because he is an architect.” 
 

“ It’s a house, all houses look like that.” 
 

“ It’s a square shape, lots of things are square shaped.” 
 

“It’s something a builder can build.”
 

Step 4: Materials 

The children decided to speak to Mr Brick to ask questions and find out more. He mentioned the secret project again but he could only share one piece of information. He was not sure what materials to use for this project.

The children began a discussion about materials and they shared their thoughts. 
 

“ He needs bricks, that’s a material.”

“ Whatever is made out of something is material. A paper aeroplane is made out of paper.” 
 

“Materials wrap around strong things.” 
 

“We have to test materials to see how strong they are.”

Mr Brick asked if the children could sort out a pile of materials that were in his office. He asked if they could give their opinions on the materials. The children began to sort and describe what they found. 

Step 5 Tension: The disaster

The children re-visited Mr Brick in his office. He was tired and very worried. His secret project had become a problem! He was so busy he did not think he would have time to complete the job. The children were eager to help and they explained to Mr Brick they had good knowledge of materials and design. They offered their services and Mr Brick agreed. He showed the children a photo of a toy shop and explained the owner called Gabriel had had a burst water pipe. Gabriel required a new toy shop and needed a team of architects to complete some design ideas. 

The children wanted to know more about the disaster. Using drama they created the disaster. 
 

Gabriel had been working in his toy shop. 

Gabriel went home and while he was away from the toy shop a noise could be heard. A whooshing sound became louder and louder. The water pipes above burst and water flooded the toy shop. The water moved in different directions until all was still. 

The burst pipes. 

Team: Architects

Client: Gabriel

Commission: To design a toy shop using materials that will sustain throughout a variety of environmental changes.

The architects began to consider a location suitable for a toy shop. Gabriel has requested that this is in the United Kingdom in England. He would like the toy shop to be in a town called Redditch in Woodrow. 
 

The architects began looking at the location and devised a map with the different areas. They began to understand that land is divided in different ways and can be grouped into different categories. Where would the best place be for the new toy shop? 

The children explored materials and their properties to develop their knowledge and skills in science before returning to their Mantle story as a team of Architects. They explored which materials were waterproof and which ones were not. This would support them with their designs for the new toy shop. 

The Toy Shop Design

The team of Architects attended a meeting with Mr Brick. He has requested they create miniature models of the toy shop and the area that the toy shop will be located. The team we’re asked to include human and physical features in their work and the waterproof materials they would use as part of the toy shop design.

Meeting with Gabriel

The team of architects arranged a meeting with Gabriel. He was pleased with the designs and heard about the reasons the team used certain materials. He was impressed with their knowledge and skills in relation to the design. The build of the new toy shop could begin. 

The Build

A team of builders prepared for the build and began work.

The toy shop was now complete.