St Stithians learners discover city’s skyline through creativity
From sketching city landmarks to coding animations, St Stithians' Grade 2 learners brought Johannesburg’s skyline to life, deepening their sense of belonging and appreciation for their city.
St Stithians College’s Grade 2 learners recently embarked on an exciting learning journey, exploring the city of Johannesburg as part of their inquiry-based learning (IBL) lesson. The activity aimed to answer the big question: ‘Where do I belong in the world?’, by helping students understand their city and its key landmarks.
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The lesson began in the classroom, where students discussed Johannesburg’s notable sites and the concept of a skyline. To bring this to life, they visited Higher Ground Restaurant, on St Stithians’ grounds, a vantage point offering a clear view of the city’s skyline.
This firsthand experience sparked curiosity and excitement as students observed the different shapes and structures that define Johannesburg. Equipped with whiteboards, they eagerly sketched their interpretations of the cityscape, each reflecting their unique perspective.
The learning continued on the walk to and from Higher Ground, as students shared observations and insights about the city’s landscape. Back in the classroom, they expanded their understanding by imagining how the skyline changes throughout the day.
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Through creative drawings, they explored how light, shadows, and colours transform the city at dawn, midday, sunset, and night.
Taking the lesson a step further, students used Scratch Junior, a coding platform, to animate themselves in the city. They designed digital scenes inspired by Johannesburg’s skyline, incorporating movement and creativity to bring their observations to life.
This cross-curricular activity combined technology and creativity, reinforcing their understanding of urban landscapes engagingly.
This hands-on lesson provided a perfect blend of observation, creativity, and technology, helping students connect their learning to the real world. It deepened their appreciation of Johannesburg and strengthened their sense of belonging in their city.
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