Year 4: Kampala

During the first half term of the Spring term, Kampala studied rivers. This half term we are continuing to look at waterways, but we are focusing in on canals and the role they played during the Industrial Revolution. We loved our visit to Batchworth Lock, where were were able to dress up as Victorian children; use genuine artefacts (a dolly stool, a washboard and a mangle) to do some washing beside the canal; step on board an original coal narrow boat (The Roger) and marvel at how the bargees lived in such cramped circumstances, and travel up the canal in a modern narrow boat. We even got to open and close a lock, and travel though it on our narrow boat. 

We have all learned so much, and had a fantastic day.    

Our Local Study 

Kampala Class really enjoyed the walk from the school across Cassiobury park and down to the Grand Union Canal and Gade River. During the walk across the park, we learned a little of the history of the park and the owners of Cassiobury House, originally a Tudor building, but rebuilt for the Earl of Essex in the 17th century.

Although the house is no longer in the park, (it was demolished in 1927) there are clear screens projecting images of the original buildings allowing us to take a walk back in time. 

The children looked at both the canal and the river - comparing their features and asking relevant questions. We also studied the two bridges and were able to identify what type of bridge they were from our design and technology topic on bridges.  

Back at school the children were full of questions, which we will investigate and research over the course of the term.  

Questions included:

'Where is the source of the River Gade?'

'How many tributaries does the River Gade have?'

'How long is the River Gade?'

'Which River does the River Gade join?'

'How long is the Grand Union canal?'

'When was it built?'

'What is a weir?'

'How does a lock work?' 

We look forward to learning all about these two waterways over the next few weeks.