Thursday, November 18, 2010

Learning the map of the UK via symbols


Magnet geography: the UK
Originally uploaded by trudeau
Symbols may be effective learning tools, so allow me to suggest images that will connect with regions and the history of the UK.

- Northern Ireland: the HMS Titanic, which was built in the city of Belfast, N. Ireland.
- Ireland: The Guinness Book of World records - and a pint of black Guinness beer.
- Scotland: the green, cup, flag and driver used in a game of golf.
- England: the Rolls Royce, one of the great luxury cars.
- Wales: a British castle - built to control the rebellious Welsh forces.
- France: the helmet-wearing William of Normandy, aka Wm the Conqueror.
- Belgium: french fries; the Belgians and Dutch probably preceded the French in frying potato strips, says Wikipedia.
- Netherlands: a bicycle, because they are so widely used as daily transportation in Holland.
-Germany: the Volkswagen Beetle, a revolutionary little car created by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche at the request of German Chancellor Adolph Hitler.

- Roman Empire: a large building that suggests a Public Bathhouse.
Throughout the empire the Romans built baths as they did amphitheaters and fortresses.
- The Romans called England "Britannia." They called Ireland "Hibernia."
- Anglo-Saxons: for the Germanic tribes who were the first Celtic peoples of England I offer a giant oak tree, which was a typical spot for Druid-led worship of these pre-Christian peoples.
- Latin language: Roman numerals. Also, the quote from Julius Caesar: "Veni, vidi, vici." "I came, I saw, I conquered."
- Roman Catholic Church: a Gothic cathedral.
- William of Normandy: the Tower of London, built by him in 1066.
- British Empire: a globe, because the British controlled lands all across the world. It was said, "The sun never sets on the British Empire."