A child-led introduction to the North Frisian island of Sylt, Germany, suitable to support study of a European location at KS2.
Video summary
Sylt is an island very close to Germany and Denmark.
Connected by the Hindenburg causeway to the mainland, this 30km long island is only a few hundred metres across at its thinnest point. It is covered in dunes and heathland, and battered by the strong westerly winds from the North Sea.
Its west coast is constantly subjected to coastal erosion; but sheltered on the east, where the Wadden Sea lies, is a world heritage site.
11-year-old Helen explains what life is like on the island and how the impact of tourism and migration has changed Sylt's geography.
Helen and her friends show us the Wadden Sea and the important conservation work being undertaken there.
Teacher Notes
Before watching this clip, pupils could locate Sylt on a map and consider any conclusions that could be drawn from its location such as the climate, population and travel.
They could find the definition of topic-specific vocabulary such as dam, causeway, heathland and dunes and find pictures of each of these from Sylt or a Scottish island.
They could also plot these features onto a map of the island. Pupils could also explore what it is to like on an island like Sylt.
They could consider how daily tasks such as going to school, going shopping or playing outdoors might differ from on the mainland.
They could consider why people tend to only live on the island during the summer.
Would pupils like to live on an island like Sylt? They could make a tourist leaflet or travel brochure entry to encourage people to visit this island.
This film is relevant for teaching Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 in England and Northern Ireland, Key Stage 2 in Wales and 3rd Level (Scotland). The National Curriculum for Geography at Key Stage 2 emphasises study of a European location and making comparisons with a location in the United Kingdom.
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