UKS2: Topic: Comparing People & Places Block B: The Grand Canyon
Be amazed by the impressive geography of the Grand Canyon in Arizona in the United States. Explore
how the Colorado River, along with debris flows and weather, continues to shape the landscape. Learn
about the people who live there and see the region through the photography of Ansel Adams. Capture
some of the wonder of this place through your own art and set up a visitor’s centre for another class to
explore the Grand Canyon region in comparison to your local area.
Block B: Comparing People
Main outcomes: Geography and Art
& Places
Other outcomes:
The Grand Canyon
[4 Sessions]
 Locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on North America,
By the end of this block you
concentrating on its environmental regions, key physical and human
will have achieved the
characteristics, countries and major cities
following outcomes:

Session 1 Geography and Art
Carving out The Grand Canyon
and exploring the human
footprint.
Take a journey back through time
to learn about how The Grand
Canyon was formed. Discover the
human impact on the region and
create your own homage to this
spectacular region through a piece
of art.
Session 2 Geography and Art
Topographic design - mapping
the Grand Canyon through art.
Interpret topographical maps of
the Grand Canyon region and
explore the natural processes that
help us predict the future form of
the region. Create your own piece
of art that shows the topographic
nature of the region.
Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human
and physical geography in the Grand Canyon region of North America
 Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography including climate
zones, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes
 Describe and understand human geography including types of settlement and
land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural
resources including energy, food, minerals and water
 Create sketchbooks to record their observations and use them to review and
revisit ideas

Improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting
and sculpture with a range of materials
 Learn about great artists in history
Children will:
 Watch a series of videos about how the Grand Canyon was formed, looking at
plate tectonics, river flow and debris flow
 Learn about the Havasupai and Hualapai people living in the Grand Canyon region
 Identify modern land-use, settlement and tourism in the Grand Canyon
 Create a symbolic abstract piece of art that reflects the three key geological
events that carve/d out the Canyon and human and cultural features of the
region
Children will:
 Examine topographical maps of the Grand Canyon and learn about the 3D forms
these represent
 Speculate about future changes to the Grand Canyon from erosion
 Create a piece of 2D art that reflects/represents the 3D topographic nature of the
Grand Canyon today and that of the future
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2: Topic: Comparing People & Places Block B: The Grand Canyon
Session 3 Geography and Art
Photographing the Grand
Canyon: Ansel Adams.
Meet the great photographer,
Ansel Adams, and explore the
geological and aesthetic beauty of
his Grand Canyon shots. Create
your own interpretations of his
photographic art and set up a
visitor’s centre.
Session 4 Geography and Art
Comparative photography: the
Grand Canyon and your local
area.
Take a fieldtrip to a local
geographic feature and explore the
geological and aesthetic beauty of
it through your own photographic
shots. Develop your own ideas of
how to exhibit your photographs in
order to create a complementary
exhibition to your Grand Canyon
exhibit.
Children will:
 Explore the photographic work of Ansel Adams for the Grand Canyon region
 Become geology curators and identify geological features from some of Ansel
Adams’ photographs for exhibition in a visitor’s centre
 Create a piece of art work using some of Ansel Adams’ photographs that shows
the beauty and dramatic nature of the Grand Canyon’s features
 Set up a visitor’s centre that exhibits all their art work and links it to the
geography of the region
Children will:
 Visit a local natural feature and take a range of geographic photographs and
make sketches
 Identify geographic features from the photographs they have taken
 Create a mixed media (photography and drawing/painting) piece of art that
highlights contrasting local geographic features
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2: Topic: Comparing People & Places Block B: The Grand Canyon
Resources
Session 1
Provided: PowerPoint presentation on the Havasupai and Hualapai of the Grand Canyon; Information
sheet on Exploring the Grand Canyon.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Paints and brushes, paper (different sizes).
Session 2
Provided: Information sheet on Topographical mapping.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Painting/drawing materials and paper.
Session 3
Provided: Information sheet on Examples of collage art using photographs.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Digital cameras or camera enabled devices; Glue, scissors.
Session 4
Provided: Information sheet on Examples of mixed media landscapes; Examples of mixed media art
work.
You will need: Range of art materials and paper; Digital cameras or camera enabled devices; Sketch
books and pencils.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.