Geography
Day Programme for Key Stage 2 - Year 5

LOCAL TRAFFIC - AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE

Unit 20 - QCA / DfEE - A scheme of work for geography

This one day programme has been designed to meet many of the requirements of the Geography National Curriculum 2000 to study an environmental issue, caused by change in an environment such as the creation of a new Local Nature Reserve.

Goytside meadows in New Mills have recently been designated a Local Nature Reserve. This has been done to reflect the value of this important habitat and to protect the land from development. This unique habitat has come under threat in recent years. A by-pass was planned, routed through the valley to replace the existing A6. The proposed development gave rise to strong local opposition. One of the many arguments against the development was the value of the water meadows along the River Goyt. These last few fields were all that remained of a once common habitat that has been changed by industrial development, river management and agricultural change. Local Nature Reserve status now means that the site will be managed to protect and conserve this unique habitat.

The programme will give children the opportunity to develop many aspects of eduction for sustainable development such as:-

Interdependence

• to understand that human and natural changes in the environment can harm or enhance the ability of different groups of plants, animals and humans to survive and flourish

Citizenship and Stewardship

• to want to learn more about their local and global environments and know how they can care for it and improve it

Diversity

• to understand and value 'local distinctiveness' in relation to townscape / landscape, economic life and culture

[Page 37 from the Sustainable Development Education Panel First Annual Report 1998]

9.30 Welcome and introduction
Key Questions
What were the issues involved in constructing the proposed by-pass?
Where was the by-pass to be located?
Why was the proposed construction of the by-pass an issue?
What were the groups involved in the issue and what were their views?
How was the issue resolved?
Activities
A range of classroom activities to explore the issue arising from the proposal to build a by-pass through the Goyt Valley using maps, photographs, newspaper cuttings and videos

11.00 Break - a snack and drink will be provided

11.30 Key Questions
How did the discovery of unique habitats along the Goyt Valley influence the outcome of the issue?
What has happened to the valley now?
How has it been protected?
Activities
Walk to Goytside Meadows

12.00 Lunch - please bring your own packed lunch to eat as a picnic in the meadow

12.30 Key Questions
What is the habitat like?
Why is it special?
How will it be managed?

2.30 Leave