By providing a thematic approach to the teaching of map skills, students are able to develop a variety of map skills as well as using maps to explore wider issues in relation to festivals, such as environmental impacts and flooding. Students can engage with maps on a wide range of scales from different sources including Google Earth, Google Maps and Ordnance Survey, developing and building on their map interpretation skills. This module also provides opportunities for decision making, group work and engagement with a variety of relevant, online resources.
In the first lesson of the module, students consider the key terms site and situation in relation to Glastonbury's location by interpreting a variety of maps at different scales. Through these activities students can gain an appreciation of different scales of maps and links between them as well as the appropriate use of key Geographical vocabulary.
The second lesson provides an enquiry-based approach to map skills. As Info-Man, students gain skills in route descriptions, measuring distance, giving directions, interpreting map symbols and understanding relief information by replying to an email enquiry. This helps students to gain a more practical appreciation of the physical and human characteristics of a place as well as developing their map skills using a more contemporary approach.
Glastonbury is not the only music festival globally. Within lesson three, students are able to gain a global perspective of music festivals by investigating other international music festivals using Google Earth and Google Maps. Students can gain skills in using these up-to-date resources to answer questions about a set of five international music festivals.
This lesson focuses on the impacts that a large scale event, such as Glastonbury, can have on the environment. Students also consider management measures which can be employed to create a more sustainable use of the environment and how environmental impacts may be reduced. Students use a range of skills; such as online research, map interpretation and decision making to gain understanding of the environmental impacts and sustainable management strategies in relation to a large scale event like Glastonbury.
There has been much publicity regarding flooding at festivals in recent years. Within this lesson, students can interpret photographs and empathise with people caught up in festival flooding. Tasks enable students to investigate and assess the flood risk, at selected festival sites, and produce a flood risk report by utilising the online flood maps and tools of the Environment Agency Website.
As a finale to the unit, students are able to utilise many of the skills, vocabulary and knowledge gained from previous lessons to design their own festival. Using decision making skills, students can decide on a suitable location for their festival considering site and situation factors as well as flood risk. Working in groups, students can design various aspects of festival organisation including; getting here, going green, what to see and do and flood risk. Activities can be differentiated and there is the opportunity to develop the activities into a project if desired.