Should the High Street Be Closed to Traffic?
#3 in Step-up geography Series
What’s inside...
Step-Up Geography is a book series designed for Key Stage 2 readers, created to support the Geography Curriculum. The series is highly illustrated with color photographs and diagrams, covering various topics in easily digestible paragraphs with key words highlighted. It includes suggestion boxes with activities and tips for readers, and also provides a spread at the back with additional activities and advice for teachers and parents on how to effectively use the book with children.
Discussion points
What do you think a street would look like if there were no cars allowed?
How do you imagine people and businesses would be affected if the High Street was closed to traffic?
Can you think of any benefits or problems that might occur if cars were banned from certain areas?
What are some ways we can make streets safer and more enjoyable for everyone?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on traffic and public spaces, setting a personal example for open discussion.
Allow your child to express their ideas and thoughts freely, without interrupting, to encourage them to think critically and independently.
Connect the themes of the book to your child’s experiences, such as visits to busy streets or pedestrian areas, to make the topic more relatable.
Encourage your child to think about solutions or alternatives to the issues discussed in the book, promoting problem-solving skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Community Engagement
Explanation: The story illustrates the importance of community involvement through the characters who debate the pros and cons of closing the High Street to traffic, engaging readers in civic-minded discourse.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to participate in local community meetings or share their opinions on neighborhood matters, understanding their voice has value.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: By discussing the reduction of car traffic, the book highlights the positive environmental impacts such as less pollution and noise, making children aware of environmental conservation.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to walk or bike more often and to be conscious of how their actions affect the environment.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking and Decision Making
Explanation: The story challenges children to think critically about the effects of closing the high street to traffic, weighing different viewpoints presented by the characters.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these decision-making skills at school or in other group settings, learning to consider multiple aspects before making choices.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: As the community members come together to discuss their opinions, the book showcases how teamwork and collaboration can lead to effective problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of working with others to achieve common goals, whether it's group projects in school or family tasks at home.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Perspective-Taking
Explanation: Through exposure to various characters' viewpoints on closing the High Street to traffic, readers learn to empathize with different perspectives and experiences.
Real-World Application: Kids will understand the importance of listening to and respecting different opinions from their peers, fostering a more inclusive environment.