INTRODUCTION

An outdoor classroom 400 miles long:

The waterways of form a 400 mile network of potential! They are a fantastic outdoor classroom, waiting to be explored. Studies in geography, ecology, history and citizenship are fitting here, with boundless inspiration for art, literacy and the creative What we can offer you: curriculum. Thames21 has a variety of educational opportunities for your school or college. This pack will help you and your students explore your local waterways; The River • This Resource Pack has been developed in Lea and , in the area of the consultation with teachers and lecturers and new Lea River Park, stretching down the offers self-led activities linked to the waterways from Stratford to the Thames. in the Lea River Park for Key Stage 1-4 to A-levels. Thames21: • Our Sticklebacks in the Classroom project gives students the opportunity to care for Although our waterways are a superb Sticklebacks during the spring term. Great for learning resource, some do need a any age student, there are many links to National helping hand to reach their potential. Curriculum studies and provides a superb Thames21 is a registered charity working stimulus for a creative curriculum approach. with over 8000 volunteers each year to • We can facilitate field visits and practical improve the waterways, clean up grot volunteering activities for your students. spots and improve wildlife habitats. • We offer work experience placements for Thames21 organise community events students aged 15+ and activities to bring people to the • Information stalls or activities at your waterways for leisure and recreation, and environmental days, green fairs etc. deliver educational projects for school and colleges. See www.thames21.org.uk for • Speakers for careers guidance, geography more information. lessons, citizenship sessions etc. • Activities for youth groups or parents attached to your school. In your area:

Thames21 are working on the Lea River Park project, a new 2 mile long park extending along the River Lea from Stratford south to the Thames. This park is being developed by London Thames Gateway Corporation and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. It will be a

superb green space for the area, linking Introduction - 2 Page to the Olympic Park and increasing access to the waterways for all. There are lots of opportunities for the community

to be involved. Visit the website www.leariverpark.org for more details about the project. This Resource Pack:

This Resource Pack has been developed in consultation with This Pack will be continually teachers and lecturers in Newham developed and improved. Your and Tower Hamlets. It aims to feedback would be appreciated. guide education professionals to use the waterways in the Lea River We hope the pack will help to Park as an outdoor classroom. introduce more people to the The Pack covers health and safety wonders of the waterways, and and includes information on inspire young people to tackle the opportunities for additional follow negative and cherish the treasures. up study and links. Suitable sites are identified for each activity, For more information on education such as Island, accessed in the Lea River Park or to give us from Stratford or Bow, or East India your feedback please call our East Dock Basin on the Thames, close London Office on 020 7515 3337 or to station. Some email [email protected] lesson plans are based in class, but of course a visit to the appropriate site can bring this learning to life. The pack has been All sites can be easily accessed by developed with the kind public transport. assistance of teachers from the following schools The lesson plans and activities are linked to the National Curriculum and colleges: for Key Stage 1-4 and appropriate exam board syllabus for GCSE and Manorfield Primary School A-level study, covering science, Drew Primary School geography, history and citizenship. Kaizen Primary School Many excellent stimuli can be St Paul’s Way Community School found amongst this pack for those Tower Hamlets College following a creative curriculum. Newham College Page 3 - Introduction - 3 Page Background

The River Lea has shaped its valley through the years, both in form and in human use. The River is tidal. Now the tides flow in and out of the Lea up to Three Mills Island, where a today creates permanent high water north from there. The tidal River has provided water to power the mills on Three Mills Island, and to transport goods. Food was produced here, and London’s drinking water came from in the valley.

The River Lea was vital to the health and wealth of the city. The city was not so giving in return. The Lea’s location has also meant that it has been the place for London to dispose of its waste products, out of sight and smell. The direction of the prevailing wind has dictated that the east of London has always been the place for undesirable, noxious activities, so industry became the main land use here. Factories made glass, paints, dyes, alcohol and matches.

With this industry came also an extraordinary culture of innovation. From the invention of synthetic plastic, to the gasworks that powered , and Joseph Bazalgette’s creation of the first city-wide sewage system, pumped through Abbey Mills. Faraday pioneered electric lighting at Trinity Buoy Wharf, keeping our seafaring nation safe with lighthouses. Culture-creating new goods came into the East India Docks from India and China, such as our beloved tea, and the Virginian settlers left from here on a dramatic voyage across the Atlantic.

Despite centuries of urbanisation and industrial use a wide range of habitats, plants and animals are to be found here. The and river provide an excellent place for a bird watching. Herons, cormorants, gulls, ducks, coots, moorhens and even kingfishers abound. The Lea is a migration route for birds, so in spring and autumn you might spot a rarity, such as an osprey taking the chance for a quick meal on the fish that inhabit the river.

Water birds should beware of the pike, a huge fierce predator. Fishermen are content with Perch, Carp, and Bream, and rare Eels have been given special passes to help their movements up the canal and river through the locks. Fish come here to breed, and in the early summer the canal is teaming; you can see shoals of tiny fish.

The reed beds on the canal are a great place for investigating water mini-beasts. Dragonfly nymphs, newts, hoglouse, shrimp, water boatman and a host of other creatures can be caught in a net.

The River Lea and Lee Navigation canal provide a wealth of stimuli for discovery, and for students learning more about their community, its history, and the place in which they live.

Page 4 - Background OVERVIEW OF STUDY SITES

Organisation/ Nearest public Site Good for….. Website transport for site

The River Lea Tidal Mill Bromley by Bow station The House Mill Local history study on Sustainability study Trust Ltd Three Mills Lane www.housemill.org.uk Bromley by Bow Has a classroom facility E3 3DU Café and toilets  020 8980 4626 Viewing River Lea Group visits by prior Viewing Lee Navigation arrangement Short walk to Bow Lock Tour guides available for school parties Bromley by Bow station Large open space for Three Mills Green www.leevalleypark.org.uk on District line Three Mills Lane lunches/letting off Bromley by Bow steam! E3 3DU Games  08456 770 600 Minibeast hunts Viewing Lee Navigation and Lee Valley Park Ecology/wildlife study www.leevalleypark.org.uk on Jubilee line and DLR Ecology Park Peace and quiet Bidder St Has outdoor shelter E16 4ST Viewing River Lea  08456 770 600 East India Dock DLR Local history study Lee Valley Park East India Dock www.leevalleypark.org.uk Basin Ecology/wildlife study Orchard Place Peace and quiet E14 9QS Viewing  08456 770 600 East India Dock DLR Local history study Urban Space Trinity Buoy Wharf Management Ltd 64 Orchard Place Study of Michael www.trinitybuoywharf. E14 0JW Faraday com  020 7515 7153 Interesting Group visits by prior architecture arrangement Artists workshops Sites of Overview - 5 Page Café and toilets Viewing River Thames The House Mill Green Three Mills Ecology Park Bow Creek Wharf Trinity Buoy Dock Basin East India

Map

Page 6 - Map HEALTH+SAFETY

Naturally there can be some Take a look at the sample risk assessment. Here we aim to provide comprehensive trepidation amongst teachers when information on health and safety considering waterway activities for considerations when taking pupils out to the their class. waterways. We don’t want to scare, but do include all possible risks, however unlikely to Certainly there are some added hazards when occur, so you have the full information with exploring the river or canal compared with which to plan your visit and fill out your own other school trips. With some prior research risk assessments. and by using simple safety measures risk can be greatly reduced, along with concern, If you require any more information or allowing a safe and fun day for all. training on waterway safety, please contact Thames21 and we will be happy to assist. Page 7 - Health and Safety and Health - 7 Page

The Risk Assessment can be found in Appendix 1 at the end of this document or downloaded here LESSON PLANS GEOGRAPHY our area? place in changes taking 7:Section Are there any area– thelocal Unit 1: Around ourschool like? immediate surroundings 4:Section What are our area- thelocal Unit 1: Around ourschool our school? see inthestreets around 3:Section What we can area- thelocal Unit 1: Around ourschool Unit/Section waterway? at seehappening can the Are there any changesyou why? along thewaterway and What’s your favourite place everyone? waterway abetter place for How could we the make thought were nasty? Why? the waterway that you Were there any places on do? do themanmadefeatures by thewaterway andwhat and natural features found What are themanmade waterway? from to school your local Can you theroute describe your way to School? youDo seeawaterway on Catalyst/Stimuli Questions

through survey work. through survey Navigation/River Lea features seenontheLee man madeandnatural andrecording Observing school. and theroute to itfrom location area inthelocal Discover thewaterway’s waterway. of the nameandtype fieldvisitlearn During maps. Learning river words from field visit. recording changesduring Observing, locating and time. Researching changesover place. afavouritechoosing Expressing reasons for could solved. be waysand possible they andwildlife people affect with litter andgraffiti howDiscussing problems and theirlocation. ‘nice’ and ‘nasty’ features andrecording Observing Learning Outcomes Sheet 2: Site visit: near me Sheet 1: Basin. Park orEast IndiaDock Bow Creek Ecology Site visit: trees etc.) building alift, planting building, path making, the fieldvisit(bridge developments during the and observing www.leariverpark.or River Park (see project Investigating theLea and southalongriver. Site visit: dump river? waterway orrubbish Sheet 3: Activity Activity ISpy The waterway Wonderful Three Mills Three Mills. Three Mills, g )

Page 8 - Lesson Plans - Geography LESSON PLANS continued. GEOGRAPHY surroundings? the River Lea andits have place to taken 5:Section What changes arealocal Unit 6: Investigating our River Park area like? 2:Section What istheLea arealocal Unit 6: Investigating our school? other places? Where isour inrelation tolocality 1:Section Where isthe arealocal Unit 6: Investigating our Unit/Section solved? How theseproblems can be problems inthearea? Can you findenvironmental thearea?helped How have thesechanges place alongtheRiver Lea? What changes have taken river this? islike environment around the Why doyou thinkthe used for? What was/is theRiver Lea around the river like? What istheenvironment What istheRiver Lea like? school? to theRiver Lea from your Can you someone direct the map? Where istheRiver Lea on Catalyst/Stimuli Questions

and understandingof Developing anawareness Lea andsurrounding area. oftheRiver characteristics human andphysical Identifying themain river. Planning aroute to the map. and otherfeatures ona Locating theschool, river concerns andsolutions environmentalDiscussing environment Identifying damageto the using thewaterways environment andpeople changes have the helped how the Describing internet to thearea usingthe Researching changes water etc.) to rivernext for transport, this (eg. situated industry river andthereasons for arealocal andaround the the mainlandusesin Learning Outcomes identify landusesand photographsaerial to Use theoblique the basemap. River Lea to match with of features around the Use thephotographs Refer to Resources: from school. plot aroute to theriver the school, river and photographs to locate the mapsandaerial Refer to Resources: opinions on these about changes and their interviewing site users planting trees etc.), making, building a lift, (bridge building, path during the field visit Park developments Observing the Lea River Site visit: Three Mills area dump river? waterway or rubbish Sheet 3: Wonderful class. to investigate with the project and changes progress on the park website to research Refer to Lea River Park outline plan. main landusesonan features the andmark Activity Activity Use

Page 9 - Lesson Plans - Geography GEOGRAPHY LESSON PLANS continued.

Unit/Section Catalyst/Stimuli Questions Learning Outcomes Activity Unit 14: Investigating Where is the River Lea? Locating the river and Site visit: Three Mills rivers identifying its route or Bow Creek Ecology Section 3: Where is this Can you locate and identify through the local area Park. river? Where does it go? natural and man made How is it changing? What features of the river? Observing and identifying Sheet 4: Features of the do I think and feel about physical processes of a Lea this river? river such as meanders, transportation and Teacher’s guidance deposition found on the notes: Due to its urban banks of tidal River Lea. setting the River Lea has How do people use the river been modified greatly today? Mapping river features. over time, and thus is Are these uses good or bad not the best example for the river? Observing human uses for study of the physical of the river and assessing characteristics of a natural Can you construct an personal opinions about Sheet 5: The River and river, though it can be acrostic poem about the these. people used to illustrate some. River Lea? However it has had a fascinating history of Writing creatively about human use and impact the river. upon the landscape so is suitable to stuffy these issues. River processes should be covered before taking part in this activity.

Unit 14: Investigating What is the River Lea like? Greater knowledge of the Site visit: Three Mills rivers River Lea and its affect on or Bow Creek Ecology Section 4: What is this How has the River Lea the local landscape Park. river like? How does it affected the landscape affect the landscape? in the past, and how is it Investigating how and Sheets 4 & 5 How is it changing and affecting it now? why the river has changed Refer to Resources and why? over time. see www.leariverpark. Is the River Lea polluted? org Investigating a local How are the river and its environmental issue An additional activity surroundings changing and (water pollution). would be Water Quality why? testing to investigate causes and effects of pollution in the river. This activity is ideal for

key stage 2 and older Geography - Plans Lesson - 10 Page students. Training, worksheets and equipment will be provided by Thames21 for this activity. The Waterway Near Me.

Use this map to find the waterway closest to your school. The name of our local waterway is ……………………… ……………………… ……………………… ……………………… ……………………… ……………………… ………………………

Our local waterway is a:

River The Waterway Near Me Near Waterway The Stream

Canal

Mark the location of your school with an X

Draw a line showing your to route to the waterway from school. If your school is further away describe the journey from school today. Geography - Sheet Activity - 11 Page I Spy.

Look at the pictures below as you walk along the River Lea or Lee Navigation canal. Tick the box for each feature that you see.

Man made features:

Natural features:

Here’s some information on how the man made features are or were used. Can you fill in the gaps? I Spy I Narrow boat – these boats were used for transporting goods. Now they are mainly used for fun trips, and some people even live on them!

Lock – a lock allows boats to navigate along rivers or where the water levels may be different. The boat will come into the middle section of the lock and the water will be let in or out until it is level with the next section of canal or river that the boat is travelling on.

Bridge - ……………………………………………………………………………. ………………… …………………………………………………………. …………………………………………… ………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………… Mooring ring – mooring rings are used to tie up the narrow boats to stop them floating away! It’s a bit like parking a car.

Towpath – that’s the path you’re walking on now. It was used by the horses that towed the narrow boats along before they were powered by engines. Geography - Sheet Activity - 12 Page

House Mill - ……………………………………………………………………… ………………… …………………………………………………………. …………………………………………… ………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………… See what youSee find. can Let’s dothenasty features first: Along andriver thecanal there are somenice places andfeatures ones. andsomenasty ……………………………………………………………………… Which was your favourite place onthewalk andwhy? Use anothersheetofpaperto sketch anice place you seeonyour walk. ……………………………………………………………………… Can you think of any other ways to improve the waterway for people or wildlife? ……………………………………………………………………… Did you seeany othernice features? What were they? How somenice about features. Can you seeany ofthese? Take photographs features ofthenasty asyou seethem. Rubbish Dump River? Wonderful Waterway or Sculptures buildings Nice animals Other Birds Flowers Trees Nice features broken bins Vandalism e.g. Graffiti paint Pollution e.g. oil, Litter featuresNasty you see Tick if Tick it you see Tick if Tick it Where? some/ None/ a lot Where? How doesthisaffect you orwildlife?

problem besolved? None/some/a lot How couldthis

Page 13 - Activity Sheet - Geography Wonderful Waterway or Rubbish Dump River? the River Lea islow andyou seemudontheriver can bed. At themoment isthetideinorout? drains from theRiver Lea backinto theRiver Thames andthenthesea. Then thewater level in pushed uptheRiver Lea, sothewater levelhigh. isvery The outandsomewater tidethengoes The River Lea istidal. When thetideisinwater comes uptheRiver Thames from theseaandis The mouth oftheRiver Lea comes outinto anotherriver. Which one? draw aroute from your to school theRiver Lea. Look at themapandlocate theRiver Lea. Colour itinasuitablecolour. Locate your and school Can you it? findoneonthemapandlabel the course oftheriver. still somebigmeanders in changed,been there are Although theRiver Lea has …………………… …………………………… …………………………… from? made. What are they made and cliffs are now man example, theriver banks its natural features. For so you can’t seesomeof changed over timeby man, The River Lea hasbeen …………………… …………………………… …………………………… by theRiver? anddeposited transported which might have been Can you seeanything downa look into theRiver. When thetideisouthave ……………………… ……………………………… ……………………… ……………………………… of the Lea. Features

………………………………………………………

Page 14 - Activity Sheet - Geography Features of the Lea humans userivers: yourDuring walk alongtheriver outfor look any evidence oftheseways inwhich R E V I R about the River Lea: of an acrostic poem Here is an example Of these uses, divide them into what you feel are good uses and bad uses, and explain why. and People. The River ndustry surrounded you ndustry Use ver changingyear onyear iver that madethishere iver Lea running through ital water, near mustbe Good/bad

A

E

L

R

E

V

I

R

how you feel about them. Can you make up your own? your up make you Can them. about feel you how Think about the River Lea, everything you have seen today and and today seen have you Lea, everything River the about Think Why?

Page 15 - Activity Sheet - Geography The River and People LESSON PLANS HISTORY the past? to livelike inourarea in 7:Section What was it to live here inthe past? Unit 18: What was itlike area? pastlifeabout inour photographs tell us and do pictures 4:Section What to live here inthepast? Unit 18: What was itlike thepast? about buildings orsites tell us 3:Section What local can to live here inthepast? Unit 18: What was itlike changed? how ourarea has use mapsto explore 2:Section How we can to live here inthepast? Unit 18: What was itlike Unit/Section

(classmates, parents etc.)? presentation for anaudience information into a Can you this make Island? Mills waterways andaround Three past life at Mill, theHouse What have you learntabout lived here? andworked tell that thepeople usabout What dothephotographs past? tell thearea usabout inthe What dothephotographs Navigation? Lee atworked theMill/ Who might have lived and here? Why doyou thinkitwas built for now? used for andwhat isitused What was Mill theHouse the past? Navigation/River Lea in like What was theLee been different?been the past, how would ithave around thearea in walking How would you If were has remained thesame? What haschangedandwhat time? the River Lea changedover How has the area around Catalyst/Stimuli Questions

discover historical questionsto Asking identify buildingfeatures. Observe, and sketching past. it would have inthe been area thelocal as Describe maps. on changes depicted andrecordObserve a variety ofinformation. apresentationMake using plays. a stimulusto create role Use thephotographs as photographs andwhy. Investigate whotook the daymodern sites. compare themto the and area inpictures Identify features ofthe thepast. about Writing descriptively Annotating sketches. information. Learning outcomes useful contacts. for booked be schools, see Tour can Mill oftheHouse Site visit: Time Sheet 1: changes to area over time. provided to study Use historical maps Refer to Resources: Buoy Wharf. or Basin India Dock Trinity Site visit: history. Island throughout Mills presentation about Three resources etc. to create a sketches, photographs, sheets,Use activity for role play. and as activities a stimulus to complete comparison provided inthissection Use photographs Refer to Resources: useful contacts. for booked be schools, see Tour can Mill oftheHouse Site visit: Mill. inthe living andworking of adescription writing resources to assistin Refer to Resources: Sketching Mill. theHouse Stepping Through Three Mills, East

Activity Use

Page 16 - Lesson Plans - History heard your andsmeltduring walk today. Think back over your walk from school. Write somedescriptive words here aboutwhat you saw, When you arrive at theriver complete thisactivity: onthemapyourMark route to theRiverLea from school. Choose ahistorical mapofthelocalarea. walk would have thetimeshown beenlikeduring ofyour map. Now lookat your historical mapagain. Write someotherdescriptive words aboutwhat thesame Time. Stepping Through

Page 17 - Activity Sheet - History Stepping Through Time LESSON PLANS SCIE habitats animals indifferent 3:Section Different Unit 4B: Habitats different habitats 2:Section Finding Unit 4B: Habitats habitatslocal 3:Section Describing environment animals inthelocal Unit 2B: Plants and plants andanimals 2:Section for Looking environment animals inthelocal Unit 2B: Plants and Unit/Section NC E habitats? animals indifferent Why didwe finddifferent Where willwe findthem? waterway? we findonourtrip to the ofanimalswill What kind mini ormicro? Are thesehabitats large, waterways? found inandaround the Can you namehabitats ‘habitat’ mean? What theword does Were you right?! or canal? think we willsee by theriver ofanimalsdoyou What sort park? you thinkwe willseeinthe ofanimalsdo What sort live? Where dothey prefer to find alongthe waterway? of Whatanimals will we kind Catalyst/Stimuli Questions

waterway andterrestrial difference between the Investigating the habitat. living thingswiththeir habitats andrecording andidentifying Observing site. work on outdoor survey the waterway through wildlife found along andidentifying Observing preference reasonsGiving for habitat animals andhabitats andrecording Observing Testing predictions habitat about predictions Making according to scale. Classifying habitats different habitats. local of Increasing knowledge observations. habitat through outdoor Learning Outcomes India Dock Basin India Dock Creek Ecology Park orEast Site visit: challenge Sheet 1: Bird spotting Basin India Dock Creek Ecology Park orEast Site visit: water dwellers Sheet 3: Basin Park orEast India Dock Green, Bow Creek Ecology Site visit: home like Sheet 2: There’s noplace lovers andwater dwellers Sheet 3, page1: Land Landlovers and Three Mills, Bow Three Mills, Bow Three Mills Activity Activity

Page 18 - Lesson Plans - Science SCIENCE LESSON PLANS Cont. food chains 8:Section Identifying Unit 4: Habitats foodabout sources 7:Section Finding out Unit 4: Habitats animals to identify plants and 5:Section Using keys Unit 4B: Habitats living things 4:Section Grouping Unit 4B: Habitats Unit/Section chains? inthefood so important Why isthewater weed using waterway animals? Can you buildafood chain What doprey animalseat? What isapredator? animals eat? What dodifferent waterway live inthat habitat? Why have they chosento food? Where dothey findtheir animals eat? What dosome waterway you have found? work outwhichminibeast Can you to usetheIDkey How doyou useanIDkey? What isanIDkey? oflegs? number shared habitat, colour or intominibeasts groups of yourCan you sort today? we’veminibeasts found any like look oftheother yourDoes minibeast Catalyst/Stimuli Questions and linksto habitat Identifying food sources minibeasts. aquatic life andterrestrial Using to keys identify similarities according to observable Group minibeasts differences and similarities Observe features ofminibeasts andrecordObserve body plants for life onearth. ofgreen Importance waterway habitat. foodBuilding chainsina predator terms -green plant, prey, Learning food chain for waterway animals. Identifying food sources animal usingICT. habitat ofonechosen Researching dietand preference. Learning Outcomes Sheet 4: activity. to accompany Sheet 3 inResourceskeys section Refer to Resources: Basin Park orEast IndiaDock Green, Bow Creek Ecology Site visit: water dwellers Sheet 3: Basin Park orEast IndiaDock Green, Bow Creek Ecology Site visit: Sheet 4: Basin Park orEast IndiaDock Green, Bow Creek Ecology Site visit: poster. information into acolour using ICTandmake research dietandhabitat Choose oneanimalto Grub’s Up! Landlovers and Grub’s Up! Three Mills Three Mills Three Mills Activity Activity Use

Page 19 - Lesson Plans - Science continued SCIENCE LESSON PLANS Cont. enquiry Section1: Planning an technological contexts environmental and Unit 5_6H: in Enquiry cycles. andlifereproduction wildlife to illustrate usewaterwaycan Adaption ofthisunit Unit 5B: Life cycles habitats 9:Section Protecting Unit 4: Habitats Unit/Section

lives there? by studying thewildlife that the healthofwaterway What we can about learn investigating? ourselves safe while we are How we can keep healthy? whether thewaterway is How we can investigate ‘healthy’ waterway? What dowe meanby a What pollinates your plant? its seeds? How your does plant spread like? look What your does plants seed life? plant start How your does chosen different? away? nothow If isit theadultstraightIs itlike life? animal start How your does chosen habitats? the waterways andother Why shouldwe protect the animals? What might to thenhappen weed inthecanal/river? might to happen thewater oroilwhatwith chemicals thewaterIf was polluted Catalyst/Stimuli Questions found inandaround the of animalsandplants Investigating lifecycles reproduce. animals andplants thatKnowledge all green spaces. the waterways andlocal ofprotecting importance ofthe Knowledge habitat.specific water ona pollution negative changeseg. Identifying of theeffect pollution. toIntroduction water using ICT. Researching anenquiry to ensure safety.action Planning andtaking ofinvestigation.method Planning anappropriate question. Formulating ascientific environmental issues. of Discussion chosen plant/animal. Studying thelife ofa cycle animals andspecies. between plants/ vary lifecycles andhow these stages andprocesses in Recognising different waterways. Learning Outcomes to coincide withrelevant Could organise asite visit work. examples forcycle class Use waterway wildlife life Refer to Resources: Grub’s Up. completion ofSheet 4: Group discussionon internet. invertebrates using tolerance ofdifferent Research pollution session. and delivering sucha to assistwithplanning Navigation. They are able the River Lea andLee testing on quality programme ofwater Thames21 have a Refer to Useful Contacts: Site visit: fruiting plants. in waterways, flowering/ spawning frogs, fishfry phases oflifecycles e.g. Three area. Mills Activity Activity

Page 20 - Lesson Plans - Science continued SCIENCE LESSON PLANS Cont.

Unit/Section Catalyst/Stimuli Questions Learning Outcomes Activity Unit 5_6H: Enquiry in What can we learn about Conducting a wildlife Site visit: Three Mills, Bow environmental and the health of the waterway survey to assess Creek Ecology Park or East technological contexts by studying the wildlife that biodiversity. India Dock Basin Section 2: Collecting lives there? and interpreting data Sheet 1: Bird spotting challenge Sheet 5: Really Wild Reed Bed

How clean is the water Refer to Useful Contacts: in the river and canal, or Using simple water Thames21 have a different places along the quality testing equipment. programme of water same waterway? quality testing on Collecting scientific data. the River Lea and Lee Navigation. They are able What other factors might Assessing accuracy of to assist with planning affect our results? data. and delivering such a session.

Unit 5_6H: Enquiry in What did we discover? Collating and comparing Refer to Resources: environmental and data. Compare with previous technological contexts Were there any differences results from water quality Section 3: Explaining in our results in different tests on the River Lea/Lee results and considering locations? Navigation. evidence What do our results mean? Using knowledge and understanding to answer Make a poster to display Was the waterway healthy? a scientific question. results, conclusions, and recommendations. What could improve our test next time? Assessing limitations of an experiment and suggesting improvements. Unit 6A: What is an organism? Brainstorming and recall Site visit: Three Mills or Interdependence and of previous knowledge on Bow Creek Ecology Park. adaptation What types of organisms plants and animals. Section 4: Animals live in or around a Sheet 5: Really Wild Reed and plants in the local waterway? Bed habitat Refer to Resources: Use Can you remember how to Revisiting the use of keys keys illustrating animals use a key? to identify living things. in and around the waterways. Use during

field visit to waterway. continued Science - Plans Lesson - 21 Page Fill outthetableifyou seethem. As you walk alongby thewaterway seeifyou canspotany ofthesebirds. Challenge. Bird Spotting Pigeon Blackbird Cormorant duck Mallard Swan goose Canada Moorhen Coot Seagull Heron Bird How many were there? Where were they? Any otherinformation?

Page 22 - Activity Sheet- Science Bird Spotting Challenge Stickleback Can you match theseanimalsto thefood they eat? Now have agoat buildingyour own waterway food chain: Water weed Can you fillinthepredator inthis waterway chain? food and grass Water weed Green plant Here’s afood chainofanimalsthat live inornearthewaterway: Grub’s Up! Dragonfly Heron Bat Swan Kingfisher Fish Baby swan (Cygnet) Prey Small fish andflyinginsects Moths Fish (bigandsmall) Bloodworms thanitself Smaller insects Water weed andgrass

………………… Fox Predator

Page 23 - Activity Sheet - Science Grub’s Up! Can you thinkofsomeminibeasts you might find on your land-loving beastiesafari? Land-loving minibeasts Write themhere andtickthemoffif you seethemon your walk! Now have ofsomeanimalsyou might agoat seewhenyou thinking to walkthewater. alongnext Water Dwellers 1. Land Lovers and Water dwellers

Page 24 - Activity Sheet - Science Land Lovers & Water Dwellers 1 Land Lovers and Water Dwellers 2.

Now work together to catch some minibeasts on land and in the water. Remember to treat them very gently! Use your keys to identify them.

Fill in this table to show what you found.

What is your Draw your Where did you find Does it What colour minibeast called? minibeast here it? (its habitat) have legs? is your If it has legs minibeast? write how many. Land Lovers & Water Dwellers 2 Dwellers Water & Lovers Land

Can you sort your minibeasts according to habitat, colour or number of legs? List the members of two of your groups here with a title so we know why they are grouped together: Page 25 - Activity Sheet - Science Science - Sheet Activity - 25 Page

Write anotherlistofthecreatures you find. Now have agoat water dippinginopen where there are noplants. them. Listallthat you findhere: Work together withyour adultto dipfor water inthereed minibeasts bed. Use to thekey identify features oftheanimalandhow itissuited to itshabitat. Choose that oneminibeast you best. liked Draw ithere andannotate your drawing to show Why doyou thinkthey prefer to live inthat habitat? Where didyou findthemostdifferentkind ofcreatures? to live initschosenhabitat: thatthe minibeast helpit 3. Name two features of as oneoftheconsumers? chain usingyour minibeast 2. Can you buildafood 1. What iteat? does answer thesequestions: ortheinternetbooks to your using minibeast inclassresearchBack Reed Bed. Really Wild my BEAST my

Page 26 - Activity Sheet - Science Really Wild Reed Bed us please! forMini-habitats inriverHole wall orcanal Canal Stone Tree Can you puttheminto box thecorrect according to theirscale? Here are somehabitats found inandaround thewaterway. Like Home. There’s No Place Field Soil bed Reed River Floating raft Flower bed Mud here ifyou would! in biggest scale Habitats at the – gohereMicro-habitats

they’re thesmallest

Page 27 - Activity Sheet - Science There’s No Place Like Home Useful Links

Thames21 Registered charity working to bring London’s waterways to life. We clean waterside grot spots, create new wildlife habitat, run family events and educational sessions. www.thames21.org.u

Lee Valley Park The regional park stretching and incredible 26 miles along the River Lea from Ware in Herfordshire to the Thames. The park encompasses study sites of Three Mills Green, Bow Creek Ecology Park and East India Dock Basin. www.leevalleypark.org.u

Thanks to the Friends of Lea River Park and London Thames Gateway Development Trinity Buoy Wharf Corporation for their kind permission to use their photographs: Julia Humphreys, A unique and historic riverside community. Andy Briggs, Cliff Prior, Paul Grant, Eugene Cozier, Paul Webb, Laura Billings & This site has London’s only lighthouse and openstreetmap.org was the workshop for the Trinity Company who maintained the lighthouses and buoys around our coast. Today a collection of artist’s studios. www.trinitybuoywharf.co

The House Mill A beautiful historic oasis in urban east London. This mill is believed to be the largest tidal mill in existence in the world. www.housemill.org.u

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Museum of London at Docklands Fascinating exhibitions and resources about London’s history as a port and the Docks importance and changes over time www.museumindocklands.org.u

Port of London Authority The authority responsible for safe navigation on the Thames and promoting the use of the river and its tributaries. Useful information such as the amazing history of the river and tide timetables. www.pla.co.u

Lea River Park A new two mile long park being developed along the River Lea from Stratford to the Thames. A great leisure and educational resource in the making. www.leariverpark.or

East London History Society Information on the history of Tower Hamlets, Newham and Hackney, including photographs, pictures and maps. www.eastlondonhistory.org.u

The Newham Story The story of Newham and its people, including information about the docks and rivers. www.newhamstory.co

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Page 28 - Useful Links