Teacher guide Β· Curious Lab Β· Medium Β· about 35 min
π UK and Hong Kong Explorer
Pupils practise curiosity through "UK and Hong Kong Explorer": Compare two places without assuming everyone lives alike.
Lesson guide
1. Hook Β· 5 min
Show the π mission title and read the opening: "Hong Kong lies on the coast ofβ¦". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model Β· 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Sniff the Beagle's line as your prompt: "Great question! Ready to dig one layer deeper? Pick your next mission below."
3. Do Β· 10 min
Pairs work through the 5 steps on screen or on the printed sheet. Circulate and ask "why?"
4. Discuss Β· 10 min
Use two or three of the discussion questions. Ask pairs to share different answers, not just correct ones.
5. Reflect Β· 5 min
Exit ticket: one sentence on how they used curiosity today.
Discussion questions
- What was the hardest choice in "UK and Hong Kong Explorer", and why?
- Hong Kong lies on the coast ofβ¦ β explain your reasoning to a partner.
- Which is a physical feature found in both the UK and Hong Kong β explain your reasoning to a partner.
- A fair comparison of places usesβ¦ β explain your reasoning to a partner.
- Where could you use curiosity outside school this week?
- If you did this again, what would you change?
Adapting it
Support: Read prompts aloud, pair with a confident partner, and accept spoken or drawn answers for writing steps.
Stretch: Ask pupils to create their own extra step for a partner and explain the correct answer.
Curriculum links
- National Curriculum: Geography: locational knowledge, place and map skills
- National Curriculum: Science: working scientifically β asking questions and observing
- National Curriculum: Geography/History: enquiry and using sources
- PSHE: Living in the wider world: media literacy and checking information
Pupil sheet
π UK and Hong Kong Explorer
Name: ____________________ Β Date: __________
1. Hong Kong lies on the coast ofβ¦
β Northern Scotland
β Southern China
β Western Canada
2. Which is a physical feature found in both the UK and Hong Kong?
β Coastline
β Identical weather every day
β Only deserts
3. A fair comparison of places usesβ¦
β Evidence and both similarities and differences
β Only stereotypes
β Only the tallest building
4. Connect the clues to their meanings.
London β ________________
Victoria Harbour β ________________
MTR β ________________
5. Plan a postcard comparing the UK and Hong Kong. Include a physical feature, transport and a question to investigate.