A Curriculum for Excellence

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A Curriculum for Excellence - Eco Schools Developement

The Eco Schools programme is an international initiative designed to encourage whole-school action for the environment. It is an award scheme that accredits schools that make a commitment to continuously improve their environmental performance. It is also a learning resource that raises awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues throughout activities linked to curriculum subjects and areas. It is an ideal vehicle for taking forward the principles of a ‘joined-up curriculum’ in A Curriculum for Excellence. Argyll and Bute schools continue to have a strong focus on the development of “green issues” throughout all sectors. Schools have been actively encouraged to include such developments on their Improvement Agendas over the past few Sessions. Over 84% of educational establishments are registered in the system, working towards Bronze, Silver and Green Flag status.

Elaine Magor

Elaine Magor, Quality Improvement Officer, is one of Argyll & Bute Council's education authority contacts for Eco Schools Development. Elaine is based at the Oban Education Office and can be contacted on 01631 564908.

Argyll and Bute Eco School Scotland Statistics

Congratulations to Park Primary School who have been awarded their Fourth Green Flag on 15 June 2010. They join Inveraray Primary School who gained their Fourth Green Flag on 24 November 2009. Both schools now have permanent Green Flag status.

Congratulations to the Third Green Flag Schools. These schools are working towards their Fourth and final Green Flag.
Achahoish Primary
Achaleven Primary
Ardrishaig Primary
Dunbeg Primary
Lochnell Primary
Luss Primary
Port Ellen Primary
Sandbank Primary
Strachur Primary



Congratulations to the Second Green Flag Schools:
Ardchattan Primary
Barcaldine Primary
Bowmore Primary
Castlehill Primary
Clachan Primary
Furnace Primary
Iona Primary
Rhu Primary
Skipness Primary


The figures below have been forwarded by Eco Schools Scotland in relation to participation by Argyll and Bute schools.

Data as at June 2010

Argyll & Bute	Schools registered	Bronze Awards	Silver Awards	1st Green Flag	2nd Green Flag	3rd Green Flag	4th Green Flag
Primary and Secondary	87	67	70	32	20	11	2

Congratulations to the following Early Years Partnership Providers:

Apple Tree Nursery - First Green Flag - 2/12/09
Baden Farm Nursery - First Green Flag - 10/9/09

Cairndow Community Childcare - Registered
Cardross Parish Church Playgroup - Bronze Award
Clyde Nursery - Bronze Award
Fyne Families - Bronze Award Kanga Rhu Pre-School - Registered
Mulberry Bush - Registered
Nursery Rhymes Childcare Ltd - Registered
Oban 1st Steps Day Nursery - Registered
Patchwork 2-5 Group - Registered
Riverside Rascals Day Nursery - Bronze

Waste not, want not…

Eco Schools Scotland, in conjunction with Changeworks and SEPA,is proud to announce the launch of a brand-new resource for Scottish Eco Schools.

The Standardised Waste Audit is a great way to evaluate the amount of waste your school currently produces and will help you to come up with ways of reducing this. The Audit also provides loads of creative ideas for re-using and recycling the various different kinds of waste generated by a school.

The activities outlined in the Audit are designed to fit in to everyday curricular learning and are a useful tool for helping pupils and staff with the fourth step in the Eco Schools process - Monitoring and Evaluation.

The Standard Waste Audit can be downloaded from here. Click hereto download (PDF) Scotland, Changeworks and SEPA.

Eco Schools Scotland

www.ecoschoolsscotland.org - External site

The aim of the Eco Schools programme is to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of the school for both pupils and for staff and to engage the wider community.

The Eco Schools programme can help schools to:

• Improve the school's environment
• Reduce litter and waste
• Reduce energy and water use
• Devise efficient was of travelling to and from school
• Promote healthy lifestyles
• Encourage active citizenship
• Build strong partnerships with a variety of community groups
• Develop international and global links

Evaluation of Eco Schools Scotland

Anne Pirrie, Dely Elliot, Fraser McConnell and J Eric Wilkinson

In October 2005, Keep Scotland Beautiful commissioned the SCRE Centre at the University of Glasgow to undertake an evaluation of the Eco Schools Programme in Scotland.

Eco Schools is a programme for environmental management, certification and sustainable development education. It is an international programme that was developed in 1994 in response to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The Programme was introduced in Scotland and the rest of the UK in 1995.

Click here to download Evaluation Report of Eco Schools Scotland (PDF 324k)

BOOK REVIEWS

George Saves the World by Lunchtime

By Jo Readman and Ley Honor Roberts.

ISBN 13: 9781903919507

£5.99

"Today I'm going to save the world by lunchtime!" George tells Grandpa one morning. And with a little help from Grandpa, he does.?

?Join him as he saves electricity, recycles rubbish, repairs his toys and visits the farmers market. Children everywhere will be delighted to discover how their everyday actions can affect the world around them.

BOOK REVIEWS - The World Came to my Place Today

By Jo Readman and Ley Honor Roberts. £5.99

ISBN 10: 1903919509

£5.99

The world really does come to visit George when his Grandpa arrives, with a globe, to look after him and his sister for the day. Grandpa explains how everything from the cereal they eat for breakfast and the chocolate bars they love, to the rubber in their bicycle tyres and wood in their toys, come from plants all over the world. The lively, simple text follows George’s day as he discovers the wonder of plants and how they affect his daily life. With eye-catching, quirky illustrations coupled with photographs of the original grasses, fruits and plants on the right hand side, this highly original and entertaining book follows the ethos of the Eden Project by increasing awareness in children of the natural world around them.

GROUNDS FOR LEARNING

www.gflscotland.org.uk- External site

Grounds for Learning (GfL) is the school grounds charity for Scotland, helping schools and early years settings use & develop their grounds to promote positive play,learning and growth.

We believe that outdoor learning and play is vital to every child's development. That’s why we campaign for better outdoor opportunities for all children and young people in education and childcare.

GfL undertakes research and evaluation, develops programmes and provides training, resources and support to raise awareness and advance understanding in grounds use, design and management.

Today, Scotland's schools and early years communities and those working on their behalf turn to GfL for guidance in developing and implementing improvements outside for the benefit of all children.

Biodiversity Stories

www.biodiversitystories.co.uk- External site

This site contains a growing collection of stories about Scottish nature and the way people see it. The site allows a search of • Stories
• Species
• Habitats

Cartridges4Causes : Every cartridge counts

Support your chosen charity through Cartridges4Causes Recycling Appeal

Cartridges4Causes runs a recycling programme for a number of their partner charities, providing an additional revenue stream and an environmentally friendly option for the return of used printer cartridges and mobile phones.

They are a family owned company with over 15 years experience in supplying businesses with all their cartridge needs. Their philosophy in business is to ensure they act with social responsibility. For the last 5 years they have operated a cartridge recycling scheme which has raised money for charity & also acted as a means of raising funds for schools.

Environmentally the recycling scheme has reduced the number of cartridges ending up in landfill. They also recycle all the cardboard packaging. Cartridges 4 Causes has been developed to extend their fund raising activities & to work with various causes . It operates entirely separately from their existing business. Fundraising Project.

Supporters can now choose to return their used printer cartridges and mobile phones for their chosen charity. Not only will you raise valuable funds for your chosen charity, your recycling is important to the environment.

Did you know an inkjet cartridge could take up to 1000 years to biodegrade? Or that the Nicad batteries in mobile phones contain Cadmium, a toxic and carcinogenic substance? By recycling printer cartridges and mobile phones, you are directly reducing unnecessary and toxic landfill and that’s good news for the environment!

Mobile phones, printer cartridges & PDAs...they take them all!

Simply let them know how many items you have ready for recycling and they will do the rest!

Catridges4Causes

Sea and Learn Pack and Posters

A reminder about the Sea and Learn Pack. The Pack contains activities for children linked to the marine section of the Argyll and Bute Local Biodiversity Action Plan. It includes timings for activities and guidelines for assessment to help teachers with lesson planning and follows the Curriculum for Excellence.

Every Primary School in A&B received a hard copy (and CD) of the pack a couple of years ago.It is available online (with some translation into gaelic) and there are some CDs left. Are you aware of this resource in your school?

Click here to download the leaflet which has information about the pack and where to get hold of it.

The latest news is that there are 500 each of the 9 posters that were sent out with the packs re-printed so they are available for teachers if they would like to use them to decorate their classrooms. Click here to download a pdf of the posters.

Argyll and Bute Biodiversity Website

The Outdoor Classroom

A very informative and interesting inservice provided by Aileen Anderson, Grounds for Learning, and Fiona Hamilton, Acting Principal Teacher of Inveraray Primary.

"The best classroom and widest cupboard is roofed only by the sky". Margaret McMillan 1925

Some important points from the inservice:

* The importance of canvessing opinion on the best areas for particular developmenrts in a school grounds - from staff, pupils and parents.
* The importance of analysing the present use of the playground in "zones of use" by various groups i.e. which areas of the playground do staff use; which areas do pupils use; which areas do parents use etc.
* Try out developments before making changes eg if planning a seating area, take chairs outside and try it out!!
* The importance of thinking about how you will USE your grounds rather than what it will LOOK like.
* Use the TASC approach to challenge and deal with the reasons why the playground is not being used at present.

Planning for using the Outdoor Classroom.

1. Take a large sheet of paper and write the topic title in the centre.
2. Divide the paper up into 5 sections (Language / Maths / Environmental Studies / Expressive Arts / Religious and Moral Education).
3. Brainstorm areas of the topic you could address OUTSIDE.

Creating an Outdoor Box

Here are some ideas from the inservice course.

You need -

A large plastic box with a clip on lid.

Ingredients:

Tubs containing -
Buttons
Little pegs
String
Little paper artist palettes
Large chalks


Bags of -
Dolly pegs
Cocktail sticks with a small flag on the top
CDs stuck on card squares (makes little mirror cards)
Cards with a double sided sticky strip down the middle (to attach items to when the protective strip is removed)


Egg boxes - for collecting samples
Numbered squares
Magnifying glasses
Ribbon
Scissors


Baby wipes for messy fingers!

Squares of mat (a spongy camping mat cut into squares) - for kneeling / sitting on.

Add other ideas of your own!!!!!

Resource websites-

Artastik

Mindstretchers

Taking Learning Outdoors

Taking Learning Outdoors

Traditionally, outdoor learning has been a combination of adventure and environmental activities often carried on outside school hours and linked to a limited range of subjects, like expressive arts, environmental education and PSE. It was frequently driven by one or more enthusiastic outdoor types on the staff, and as such was unsustainable and often only accessed by a minority of pupils.

Outdoor learning today, and into the future, is much broader. A young person’s progressive experience from 3 to 18 years demands a wide range of outdoor learning activities taking place outside the school. This outdoor classroom can be found in a variety of locations: school grounds, urban spaces, rural or city farms, parks, gardens, woodlands, coasts, outdoor centres, wilderness areas and more. In this context, outdoor education is no longer seen as just adventure or environmental activities, but as a teaching approach outdoors which can enhance and integrate a huge range of activities across the whole curriculum - activities which connect learners with their environment, their community, their society and themselves. It engages and motivates learners through first-hand experiences which demonstrate the relevance of knowledge and understanding.

A Curriculum for Excellence recognises that learning is embedded in experience. By taking learning outdoors we remove the barriers that the traditional classroom can put up between young people and first-hand, real-life experiences. Outdoor learning is hands-on and direct, and the knowledge that pupils gain from it is real, first-hand and unforgettable.

Great Resources

Caledonia Play

A great website for resources to encourage exploration of the environment and outdoor play.

The Mag Post - a 5 x magnifying glass on a solid wood post under which pupils can explore tiny objects. This can be bolted to the playground surface.

Dimensions: 10cm x 10cm x 130cm (maximum height)

Excellent value for around £100.00

My thanks to Cathleen Russell from Toward Primary for showing me these resources in her school.

Another great resource from Caledonia Play

The cover of this sandpit opens to enable seating space. Dimensions : 1.2m x 1.25m x 225mm.

Growing Success: Wildlife Lodge Range

Growing Success Website

A range of 'homes' for various creatures to encourage wildlife in your Eco Garden eg
Ladybird Lodge
Domicile Dormouse
Bumble Bee rest
Robins Nest
Butterfly Feeder
Bat cave
......and so on. Contact details :
Wessex House - Tel: 01722 337744

My thanks to Christine Darroch of Keills Primary for this information.

Encourage pupils to be an RSPB Wildlife Explorer

RSPB Wildlife Explorer website

This is a website which encourages children to become actively involved in taking care of our planet. For example, among other things on this site, children can learn about the albatross and become involved in saving this endangered species.

Introduce this site to your pupils and let them explore!!!

Free Educational resources

RSPCA website

Information and resources available free eg
What animals can we see in our school grounds?
What makes an area animal-friendly?
What are our priorities for improving the school grounds?
Planning the school grounds project

Waste Prevention and Recycling

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has launched new information which can be used to teach school children about the importance of recycling etc. This information includes short videos (available online) and factsheet

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has produced six online short films on how you can manage your household waste, and the recycling process it goes through once it leaves your hands.

Over one tonne of waste is produced annually by every household in Scotland and this figure is increasing by almost 2% each year. These films have been developed as a school resource for 7 to 13 year olds to enhance the environmental education provided through the school curriculum and the Eco Schools programme. But they will also be of interest to a wider public. The messages they contain support Scotland's National Waste Plan and are in line with the Waste Aware Scotland campaign messages.

What's more, the films have been created in conjunction with a series of 11 waste related educational fact sheets containing additional information about the waste hierarchy, duty of care and landfills, amongst other topics.

These online waste resources are intended to raise awareness of waste management initiatives and regulations amongst young people and adults, as well as give ideas on how they can take action and make a difference. They also include details for further information resources so the subjects can be researched further.

The waste journey films and fact sheets are available online at:
SEPA resources

· The 6 waste journey short films are on the topics of:

· Your Waste! Your Responsibility!
· Paper
· Glass
· Aluminium
· Plastic
· Recycling your car


. The 11 waste education fact sheets are on the topics of:

· National Waste Strategy: Scotland
· Waste Hierarchy
· Waste Prevention
· Waste Minimisation
· Duty of Care
· Landfills
· Composting
· Packaging Waste
· Thermal Treatment
· End of Life Vehicles
· Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Ideas for your Eco Garden

Include some ' Touch and Feel Boxes' around the garden.
Use a painted bird box and add a laminated label
eg "Things from a tree"
" Used by birds for nests" etc
and allow pupils to feel and guess the contents.
Contents can be changed when the novelty has worn off!!

Ideas for your Eco Garden 2

Encourage pupils to examine things in the Eco garden.
Nail a plastic tray to a post and attach a magnifying glass.
Minibeasts beware!!

Ideas for your Eco Garden 3

Obtain a slice of tree trunk showing the rings.
Make a timeline of Scottish events with laminated labels drawing pinned to the rings.

Ideas for your Eco Garden 4

History in the garden: Have your very own stone circle.
Make your outdoor classroom within the shelter of your school "stone circle". Obtain some boulders from a friendly quarry and place in a circle formation.

Recycling electronic waste

On 01 July 2007, the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive came into force. This will make it easier for people to recycle all of the electrical appliances, and gadgets.

Log on to the Sort It! website to find the nearest WEEE recycling point.

WEEE Website

The Rag Bag Scheme

The Rag Bag Textile Recycling Scheme started in September 2006 and the main aim of the scheme is to collect unwanted textiles from schools and organisations for reuse in the third world or recycling in the UK. They work closely with local authority Waste Minimisation Officers or Recycling Officers who introduce the scheme to schools and ask them to register directly with Rag Bag.

Schools must be registered to participate and once they have signed up, Rag Bag arrange asuitable time with the school for their first collection. Collections are then carried out every 6 months or so. Schools and organisations are paid £200 per tonne for unwanted textiles. (£300 per tonne for their first collection.)

What happens to the unwanted textiles?

Once the textiles have been collected, they are brought back to the Rag Bag factory to be sorted and graded. The factory is in Denny, Stirlingshire and provides employment for local people. Once the textiles have been sorted and graded, the good quality items are then sold to customers abroad, generating employment and supporting entrepreneurship in the Developing World, whilst providing affordable, good quality, second-hand clothing. The poorer quality items are recycled into wiping cloths for the oil and printing industry.

Since the scheme started in September 2006, schools have donated 561,644 kgs of textiles. That’s 5,616 tonnes of textiles saved from going to landfill ! The registered schools have also raised £112,329 so far for school funds/projects. The scheme currently operates in 20 of the 32 Scottish local authorities and talks are underway to persuade more authorities to get involved.

Gummy Bins

Saying “recycled chewing gum” to someone always get a reaction! People’s faces screw up in disgust as they start to contemplate the possibilities. They’re very relieved to hear that the waste gum isn’t recycled into more gum. That would be really disgusting!

Gummy Bins® is developing a hygienic disposal and recycling system for waste gum. Each Gummy Bin contains a reusable cartridge which can hold either 250 or 500 pieces of gum. Once inside the bin, the gum is not touched again until it is disposed of or recycled.

The recycling process, which is still being developed, involves removing the gum from the cartriges then filtering out any loose foreign objects. The gum is then cured with an additive to harden it. The cured, hardened gum is chopped into small pieces and mixed with an aggregate ready for re-use.

What is recycled gum used for? Gummy Bins is the sole provider of a system for the disposal and recycling of chewing gum, now a major polluter across the country. They are on a mission to educate that deposits of chewing gum are polluting streets, buildings, park benches and more but, thanks to recycling, that can be a thing of the past. The company provides educational materials for pupils to use in PSE classes.

After sterilisation and mixing with aggregate, the resulting material can be used for football pitch drainage systems, underlay for running tracks and even as construction material when recycling begins in volume.

News from another Authority:

Notre Dame High is the first Inverclyde school to install Gummy Bins, the revolutionary recycling programme for chewing gum! Making the school a ‘gumfree’ zone is one of the key targets for its Eco group who joined forces with the school council to purchase and install five gummy bins, with more in the pipeline. The bins have been given the thumbs up by the entire school community, not least of all the janitorial and cleaning staff who are delighted by the results.

Learn more at Gummy Bins

The UK Carbon Footprint Project

Google aims to help people find information that matters to them quickly and easily. Through the UK Carbon Footprint Project Google makes information on calculating and reducing your carbon footprint, as well as information on climate change in the UK, easily accessible to everyone.

The project enables you to calculate your carbon footprint, choose personalised carbon-reducing actions and compare your footprint and actions to those of others around the country by placing yourself on the Google UK Carbon Footprint Map.

Join schools across the country taking part in the UK Carbon Footprint project. Working with teachers, Google have developed lesson plans to help integrate this project into the curriculum. In addition to this particular activity, the lesson plans explore the topic of climate change more broadly, with ideas for how to use Google tools such as Google Earth, Google Maps and Search to bring the subject to life.

The Uk carbon Footprint Project

Chocolate and Fair Trade

This lesson helps students to understand the production, transport and consumption of food around the world, using chocolate as an example. Students start by finding out about cocoa, what it looks like and where it's farmed. They find pictures of cocoa beans using Google Images and then use Google Search to find out how chocolate is made from cocoa beans. They research the countries that produce cocoa and plot the information on a Google My Map.

They are introduced to the idea of Fairtrade and how this can benefit farmers and the environment. Using the Fair Trade Certified Global Awareness layer in Google Earth, they can read information about many different Fairtrade cooperatives; from cocoa farmers in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, to coffee farmers in South America and tea farmers in India.

The second activity introduces pupils to the idea of food miles. They use Google Search to find a definition of food miles, how the transport of foods can affect the environment and also learn how far food has to travel to the UK using the line tool in Google Maps.

Chocolate and FairTrade

Climate Change

Students research information about climate change and its causes using Google Search and and learn how to discriminate between results from different sources. They consider the different viewpoints that they have found on the topic and create a simple presentation using the information they have researched.

Students are then introduced to the concept of carbon footprint and use the Google Carbon Footprint Project tools to calculate their personal footprint, consider the actions they can take to reduce it and share their results on the map. Using these tools and activities, pupils gain a greater understanding of the issues surrounding climate change and can see how their own energy use compares to that of others.

The final activity uses layers in Google Earth (such as the United Nations Environment Programme layer) to study the effects of climate change.

Climate Change

Breathing Spaces

Are you a primary school looking for ways to enhance biodiversity in your outdoor space?

Then take a look at the BBC’s Breathing Places programme. Registration – which is free – includes a termly ‘Do one thing’ activity pack designed to help turn your grounds into a haven for wildlife. The programme can be adapted to involve the whole school or one class, form part of a lesson, be run at lunchtime or as an after school club.

Find out more at Breathing Spaces

Mapland Scotland

Mapland Scotland is an incredible learning environment that can be brought into schools and supports A Curriculum for Excellence. There are various programs designed for pupils from P1 to P7 and S1 to S4, with activities based on tactile active learning, problem solving and teamwork. Pupils learn, discover and participate giving an experience that is unforgettable.

Mapland Scotland is made up of adjoined Ordnance Survey topographical maps at the 1:50,000 scale in 180 giant jigsaw pieces and is completely walkover.

Mapland is approximately the size of a badminton court and fits into most school halls/gyms.

Mapland is available for hire for full day periods or multiple days.

Full details of the educational programs, photos and feedback are available on the website www.maplandscotland.co.uk

You can also contact Mapland on Tel: 07892 871 057 or email at info@maplandscotland.co.uk
Please feel free to contact for any further details.



Suzanne Hills and Chris Cromey
Mapland Scotland

Click here to download (PDF)

Local Markets

Information on local markets which welcome participation by schools.

Contact for Argyll Country Markets - Lochgilphead - Katie Ritchie 01852 500 271 katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk

Contact for Campbeltown Country Markets - Andrew Gemmell 01583 431 666 monicagemmill@btconnect.com

These markets are the first and second Saturday of every month.

Climate Change

* Ideas for primary and secondary classroom activities
eg Climate Bingo
Carbon Quiz
* Links to useful websites with resources

Stride Magazine pages 10/11

Pupil Participation

To what extent is your Eco School Council REALLY participative?

Stages in the development of a Council with pupils -
1. Manipulation
2. Decoration
3. Tokenism
4. Assigned but informed
5. Consulted and informed
6. Adult-initiated, shared decisions with children.
7. Child centered and directed
8. Child-initiated, shared decisions with adults.

Aim to be at stage 7 or 8!!

EXPLORE A FOOD WEB

Most animals are part of more than one food chain. Explore with older children how these interconnected food chains form a food web.

What you need:
A large white sheet
Collecting trays
Recording materials, hand held microscopes and pooters (if available)

What to do:
Place the sheet of paper under a tree then carefully shake the lower branches until there is a collection of leaves, flowers, seed pods and insects on the sheet. Gather up the sheet and empty the contents into a collecting tray. Working in groups, ask the children to sort the items into different categories and, where possible, identify any creatures. What are the relationships between the different organisms, and between the organisms and the tree? What is missing? What creatures, for example mammals, birds, creatures in the wood, are required to complete the web? Count the frequency of different creatures and repeat for different trees to compare the communities supported by different trees. What is the relationship between the number of species and the area surveyed? Why not..?

Ask pupils to produce posters for each tree, comparing them for their habitat value in terms of the wildlife they support.

GfL Issue 8

GO ON A TREASURE HUNT

Encourage younger children to explore their environment.

What you need:
Collecting baskets / boxes
Laminated pictures of ‘treasure’ to find (leaves, twigs, pebbles etc)

What to do:
Encourage children to work in pairs walking around the grounds collecting what they find. Challenge them to find items in a chosen category such as:
Numbers – find leaves with one/two/three/four/five/six/seven points
Colours – find items that match the colours on their clothing or colours on a paint card from a DIY store
Alphabet – find items beginning with each letter of the alphabet
Shapes – find an example of a circle, a square, a rectangle, an oval, a star etc

GfL Issue 8

Art of Recycling

Inspirational ideas for art and design using reclaimed materials Ages 5-11

Belair Publications - Folens
ISBN 978-0-94788-235-8
Cost :£16.99

Folens Website

Hopscotch Theatre

Hopscotch Theatre Company

Hopscotch has been touring primary schools across Scotland for the last 20 years. A registered charity, Hopscotch bring a fun and enjoyable learning experience to over 140,00 primary school children per year.

Hopscotch are planning a national tour in Spring 2009 that will focus on rubbish, waste and landfills - ‘What a Load of Rubbish’. Please find attached a leaflet about Hopscotch and this production.

The play will follow the adventures of a family who live next to a landfill site which starts to overflow into their back garden. To avoid being swallowed up by the ever-expanding mountain of horrible waste they are forced to come up with new ideas to reduce, re-use and recycle rubbish and stop the problem of waste. Drama workshops to reinforce the key messages from the production will also be on offer.

Please contact hopscotch if interested.

Click here to download (PDF)

Generation Green

Generation Green is a schools and community programme from British Gas.

The programme supports schools, pupils, their parents and the wider community in becoming more environmentally aware.The lesson plans and activities aim to increase pupils’ understanding of their school’s carbon footprint and the responsibility they have to reduce it. The programme is designed to require little effort to initiate and run, but its effects are significant and long lasting.

By taking action, schools, pupils and their parents will earn green leaves which can be exchanged for energy efficient rewards to be used within the school.

Register your school at Generation Green

Book Review

WHO WILL SAVE US?

Rebecca Morch 2007

This book aims to reach children and their adults. It covers the main aspects of climate change, from ‘the greenhouse effect’ to the causes, effects and potential solutions, and offers a stepping-stone to further research and understanding of climate change.

The 48 full-colour pages contain numerous illustrations and picture words, which enable younger readers and those with special educational needs to actively follow the story, focussing their attention, whilst provoking thoughts and questions.

ISBN: 978-0-9556550-0-5

£5.99

Scottish Eco-Coordinators - Take note!

GTCS recognition available for Scottish Eco-Coordinators

Are you an Eco-Coordinator in a Green Flag-awarded Scottish school? If so, don’t forget that you’re eligible to apply for the ‘Sustainable Development Education’ category of the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s prestigious ‘Certificate of Professional Recognition’.

This award has been designed with a view to getting professional recognition for the work that teachers put into bringing their schools to Green Flag status. If you have been the main driver (or one of the main drivers) behind a school’s progress towards Green Flag status, then the GTCS accepts that you have already gone through the ‘process’ of having a professional discussion with your head teacher, involving other colleagues etc.

You can find out more about what’s required from the GTCS website - GTC Website

The sample Application Form shows the kind of evidence that you could supply. Click here to download sample Application Form(PDF)

Eco-Schools Scotland strongly encourages you to apply for this certificate.

Information from Eco Schools Scotland newsletter January 2009

Interesting Polytunnels!

Some ideas for interesting polytunnel developments

* Use your polytunnel as a covered ' outdoor classroom' space.
* Use a polytunnel for role play / drama eg an igloo as a setting for an imaginative story.
* Make a sensory walkway in your tunnel - use different colours (buttons, ribbons) and textures (natural materials) and smells (herbs). Set these at different heights for different age groups of pupils.
* Use your polytunnel as a gallery for a natural art exhibition.


Ideas courtesy of Aileen Anderson, Grounds for Learning.

Eco Posters

Eco Posters.

Remember to use the Fruit Bin

Use the paper Bin

Pick Up Litter

Switch Off Lights

Keep Doors Closed

Recycle Carrier Bags

Turn Off Computers

Turn Off Taps

Walk instead of drive

Compost Bin

Recycle x2

We are an Eco School

Eco Class/ Green Award of the Week / Half Term / Term / Certificates

Recycling Box Labels

Click here to download Posters 1(PDF)

Click here to download Posters 2(PDF)

Click here to download Posters 3(PDF)

Discovering Poetry

The Discovering Poetry Project is a creative writing multimedia website that combines audio/visual digital presentations and printed worksheets to encourage and help children write poems about their own experiences of everyday life, and to increase their awareness of the natural environment. The site is targeted at Primary 3-7 and is intended to provide a valuable resource to those responsible for teaching poetry in community workshops, at home and in the primary classroom.

The program can be used on the website, and a series of worksheets and an extensive Teacher Resource Section are available to download.

The Discovering Poetry website can be found at:Discovering Poetry Website

BOOK REVIEW

THE PLAYGROUND POTTING SHED Dominic Murphy

The Playground Potting Shed is a mine of information on how to grow successfully within the parameters of the academic calendar. Subjects covered include:
Growing fruit and vegetables
Bringing gardening into the classroom
Making the most of space and resources
Encouraging wildlife

ISBN 978-0-85265-098-1

£12.99

Order through Guardian Books Website or phone 0845 606 4232

Earthship Fife Centre

Sustainable Communities Initiatives (SCI), is an educational charity set up in August 2000 to demonstrate, inspire and support initiatives that build community through waste and renewable energy projects. The Earthship Fife Visitor Centre is Scotland’s first Earthship, and indeed the first in the UK! The Earthship was launched and officially opened on 21st August, 2004. The Earthship has been granted full planning permission and now has a permament building warrant, giving validation to Earthship building techniques in Scotland.

The Earthship Fife Visitor Centre overlooks Kinghorn Loch, (at a site shared with Craigencalt Ecology Centre), where it serves as an educational and research building.

An Earthship is a passive solar building with thermal mass. This means that it maintains a comfortable living temperature year round. It is made from natural and recycled materials - predominantly earth-rammed tyres and aluminium cans. It is powered by renewable energy, such as wind, water and solar power. It catches its own water supply from rainwater, and treats and contains its own sewage in planter beds.

The Eco-Schools Support and Advice Service can help Eco-Schools achieve their Green Flags. Through a session of interactive talks and practical hands on experience they help with the Eco-School environmental topics of Waste Minimisation and Energy.

Through active learning, class discussions and games the students will get an understanding and awareness of how their actions and behaviour can make a difference allowing them to live more sustainable lives.

Photographs of recent Eco School Support Inservice for Argyll and Bute staff. Click here Click here

For more information or to book workshops contact: Earthship Fife Visitors Centre

BOOK REVIEW

CONNOR'S ECO DEN Pippa Goodhart

Written as fiction but chock full with fact, this is a brilliant mix that will ensure kids learn a lot about the environment, about greenhouse gases and about the world but in a very entertaining way and all because Connor's family home is too small and his dad challenges him and his brothers to make the 'best' den and in return win themselves a bedroom that doesn't have to be shared.

Brilliant. Shortlisted too, for the award that really matters - the Blue Peter Award (Best Factual book) - as the shortlist is chosen by children.

ISBN-13: 978-1842992906

£5.99

Climate Challenge Fund

The Scottish Government has ambitions to deliver an 80% reduction in Scottish emissions by 2050. The Climate Challenge Fund, £18.8m over three years (2008-11), is designed to enable communities to come forward with their own solutions to make a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

The Climate Challenge Fund offers grants to a range of community organisations to help with the planning, learning, communication and most importantly, action to reduce carbon emissions. The projects can involve a range of actions, from helping us to use less energy, or walk and cycle more, to local sustainable food.

The fund has generated a lot of interest to date but not many of the applications are from community groups working in partnership with local authorities.

For further information Click here to download (PDF)

Outdoor Learning File

Following suggestions at last Sessions Outdoor Learning Festival, an Outdoor Learning File has been produced. The idea of this file is to bring together in one place the various bits of information relating to Outdoor Learning so that it is easily accessible by a school eg relevant Standard Circulars, advice and information. This 'skeletal' fie should be added to and customised by individual educational establishments.

Thanks to staff at Inveraray Primary School who provided much of the initial content of this file

To obtain this information on cd please contact Elaine Magor (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk) with your name and postal address.

BOOK REVIEW

Dear Children of the Earth - A letter from Home

Schim Schimmel

ISBN 978-1-55971-225-5

£7.95

A letter from Mother Earth asking for help from children everywhere. Beautifully illustrated.

Superb for an eco-based interdisciplinary project!

Enjoy!!

BOOK REVIEW

MICHAEL RECYCLE

ALEXANDRA COLOMBO AND ELLIE BETHEL

ISBN 978-1-84539-281-9

£4.39

"I'm Michael Recycle for all that I'm worth I'm green and I'm keen to save planet Earth! A small town somewhere near you is in desperate need of salvation...from drowning in rubbish at the hands of its lazy and wasteful inhabitants!

Join Michael Recycle, the green-caped crusader, as he rescues the town and proves to the lazy layabouts that recycling can actually be quite good fun!He is a new kind of superhero in a new kind of world.

BOOK REVIEW

This Morning I met a Whale

Michael Morpurgo

ISBN 978-1-4063-0646-0

£5.59

At sunrise, young Michael spots a whale on the shores of the Thames and thinks he must be dreaming. But the creature is real and it has a message for him – one that only an open-minded child can deliver to the rest of the world. The whale warns that the earth’s days are numbered and that humans must put right the damage they are doing, but how can Michael fulfil his promise to tell others when neither his teacher nor his classmates will believe his story? Within hours, the city and the wider world have learned of London’s remarkable visitor, and all eyes are on the whale’s struggle against the receding tide. Michael must now join his new friend in a race against time to reach the ocean, and hold fast to his promise in the race to save the world itself.

Beautiful illustrations by Christian Birmingham

Book Resource

You Can: Have a Green School

Ages 4-11

Author : Anthony David


ISBN: 9781407100838

£17.50

Sustainable schools aim to prepare young people for a lifetime of sustainable living, through their teaching, their fabric and through the example of their day-to-day practices.
Easy to use at-a-glance format
Includes quick reference problem related index
50 practical suggestions and activity ideas that can be taken and used straightaway in the classroom
Photocopiable pages
Handy tips

This book is in the You Can series.

Click here to download example 1 (PDF)
Click here to download example 2 (PDF)
Click here to download example 3 (PDF)
Click here to download example 4 (PDF)

My thanks to Kareen Ross, Lochnell Primary School, for recommending this book.

You Can : Create an Outdoor Classroom

Ages : 3-7

Author: Rosaleen Joyce

ISBN: 9780439945592

£17.50

Children love playing outdoors – here’s how to make sure you do too!

* 50 practical suggestions to help you structure your children’s outdoor play.
* Includes points for reflection, photocopiable pages and handy teaching tips.
* Covers planning and risk-assessment advice.
* Includes activity ideas across the Areas of Learning from religious stories to maths activities.
* Shows you how to use the outdoor time to encourage independence.

This book is in the You Can series.

Click here to download Example 1 (PDF)
Click here to download Example 2 (PDF)
Click here to download Example 3 (PDF)
Click here to download Example 3 (PDF)

Green Balloon Club Week 2009

In four years Breathing Places has come a long way… £9.5million from the Big Lottery Fund invested in creating new breathing places, over 9 thousand schools signed-up to BP Schools, around 9.5 thousand breathing places registered on the Event Finder, and over 10 million people engaged in the campaign to date.

This summer they are joining forces with CBeebies and the Green Balloon Club to get young children and their families to do one thing for nature.

The Green Balloon Club is on air every Friday on CBeebies. It’s aimed at children aged 3-7 years and encourages them to explore and care for nature.

Read more........ Click here to download (PDF)

Walk to School Week 18th-22nd May 2009

Following Argyll and Bute’s success in previous Walk to School Weeks, and the continued partnership work with School Travel and Active Schools, we are pleased to be able to provide support and resources for schools who wish to participate again this year. We’ve ordered certificates, classroom posters and participation stickers and the catchy slogan "Walk n Talk" will be used in order to inspire children with the social aspect of walking to school together.

Unless we hear otherwise, we will assume that you would like to get involved this year. Resources will be distributed by the Active Schools team at the start of May. For some excellent curricular ideas for implementing the initiative please refer to the official website Walk to School Website Examples include literacy and numeracy, health, environment, local studies, music, art and design and a geography.

If you would like any further information or additional support please contact your local Active Schools Co-ordinator or Julie Young, Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator.

Nicola Malcolm
Tel: 01369 703 214

Julie Young
Tel: 01546 604309

Storyline - The Scarecrow's Hat

Storyline for Pre Five / Primary One - Early Level Experiences and Outcomes

A Storyline which culminates in the creation of a scarecrow for the school grounds.

“In this gentle picture book with an old-fashioned feel, an enterprising chicken pulls off a hat trick of sorts when she finds a way to obtain a chapeau she admires. Chicken would love to have Scarecrow's straw hat for her very own. Scarecrow says he would gladly swap his headdress for a walking stick, something that Chicken does not possess. So Chicken sets out to visit Badger, who does have a walking stick. Trouble is Badger wants to make a trade, too, for something else Chicken can't provide--a ribbon.

Chicken calls on an array of animal pals until she at last makes the deal that leads her back to Scarecrow's hat, via a chain reaction of satisfying swaps.

British author/illustrator Brown's story proceeds at a leisurely pace, allowing young readers time to join in Chicken's creative problem-solving.”

Click here to download topic outline

Click here to download Support materials - one (PDF)

Click here to download Support materials - two (PDF)

Click here to download Support materials - three (doc)

Scottish Biodiversity Week

Scottish Biodiversity Week. 16-24 May 2009.
“Earth, nature and you – connected.”

The aim of Scottish Biodiversity Week is first and foremost, to stimulate public interest about nature and wildlife through a wide range of enjoyable events. Last year during Scottish Biodiversity Week, 141 events took place around Scotland in a wide range of places including city parks, greenspaces, nature reserves and the wider countryside and coast.

For people holding an event during the week, the Scottish Biodiversity Forum can provide event organisers with free promotional items.

A Salad Bowl for Nature and Us
2009’s Biodiversity week promises to be a tasty one – literally! We have joined forces with the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society to promote healthy eating and healthy wildlife.

Seed Packs
Home grown salad crops in a pot or in the garden are a healthy and delicious way to help Scotland’s Biodiversity. Not only do you have an instant salad whenever you want, but these plants will help attract all manner of insects. So, in conjunction with the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society, we have put together a mixture of easy to grow herbs and salad crops – rocket, coriander, lettuce and chives.

These seed packs are available for Scottish Biodiversity Week events and all you have to do is go to the Biodiversity Week website event organiser’s page -SNH Website and enter your details and the seed packs will be sent out in time for your event.

For larger events, we also have PVC banners (6’x 2’) with a bright colourful design including the Scottish Biodiversity Week logo. To help you stand out in a crowd the banners can be tied to a nearby fence, railings or pole – perfect for attracting people to your stand.

Help is at hand to advertise the events locally; we have A3 & A4 posters which you can download from the website

Competition
Following on from last year’s photographic competition we have 3 beautiful postcards of the winning entries for 2008, with details of this year’s competition on the back.

This year’s theme is “Colours of Nature”. The Scottish Biodiversity Week website has all the details that you might need: SNH Photo contest

There are 3 fabulous prizes, including a day’s tuition with professional nature photographer Peter J Clarke, a trip on the Seaprobe Atlantis - Scotland’s only semi-submersible glass bottom boat based at the Kyle of Lochalsh and a copy of the inspirational National Geographic book - ‘Visions of Paradise’.

The week of varied events throughout Scotland is a good reason to get people involved and go outdoors and learn about and enjoy Scotland’s biodiversity.

If your school is running an event or doing some biodiversity activities in your school grounds, you can get 'freebies' from the Scottish Biodiversity Forum. Please return the form by 29 May 2009. Click here to download Biodiversity 2009 form to return.

Interdisciplinary Study

I Can / We Can Interdisciplinary Study

Primary Four / Five - Experiences and Outcomes from Levels One / Two

With thanks to Yvonne Wilson, formerly of Rockfield Primary School, Oban.

A four week project focussing on healthy eating / canned food / recycling.

Click here to download the Project outline.

For a cd of support materials and photographs contact Elaine Magor (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

Green Bug Productions

Green Bug Productions design and produce a range of high quality wildlife activity packs for children, fun, educational and engaging. The packs are full of ideas and activities to guide and encourage observation and a 'hands-on' approach to discovering the wonderful wildlife around them in a fun & exciting way.

The wildlife activity pack concept was conceived in 2002 by ecologist and artist Fiona MacGillivray on the beautiful Hebridean island of Islay. Initially the Islay Wildlife Discovery Pack was produced in 2003. Green Bug Productions was set up in 2004 to expand on the success of the initial pack and to produce a broader range of discovery packs to cater for more regions and habitats.

Fiona MacGillivray has lived on Islay for 14 years undertaking work with RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage and the local Islay Natural History Trust. Surveying all manner of flora and fauna, managing a natural history centre and leading and organising wildlife activity sessions with families and schools.

Wildlife Discover Packs

The range of high quality wildlife discovery packs introduce children to wildlife found in different regions and habitats. With help and encouragement they can nurture children's interest in the wildlife around them, learning a little along the way, but above all having fun!

Designed around the 5-10 year core age group, they encourage children to get out and about looking for wildlife, with eye-spy cards, treasure hunts and other fun activities.

Green Bug Productions Website

The Emperor's Egg

STORYLINE - CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE LEVELS EARLY / FIRST

Can you imagine spending a freezing cold Antarctic winter outside, with no food for miles around--maybe even a hundred miles? This is what the male emperor penguin does. After his mate has laid her egg, she takes off for the ocean where she swims about, getting plump on squid and fish, while Papa stands around keeping the egg warm for two entire months!

Martin Jenkins's remarkable picture book about an extraordinary bird is sure to be an immediate favorite with children of all ages.

The Storyline has been developed from the mysterious arrival of an egg one morning in the classroom.......

Click here to download Storyline Outline
Click here to download support item 1 (Label)
Click here to download support item 2 (Letter)

Further support materials can be obtained on cd from Elaine Magor (elaine.magr@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

National Geographic

Classroom magazine.

Excellent variety of information, quizzes, games etc on sustainable issues

National Geographic Classroom Magazine site

Are you making the most of your school grounds?

Are you making the most of your school grounds?

Could you use them more?

Johanna McClelland, Head Teacher of Colgrain Primary School, Helensburgh, asked herself these questions when she realised that although the school had 'fantastic grounds' they needed to make better use of them.

To do this, they planned an Outdoor Day to show ‘ourselves, our parents and the pupils how learning can benefit from being outside’and stimulate interest in learning and teaching outside.

For one day the whole school left their classrooms and, working in mixed age groups, they rotated around 10 curricular activity ‘stations’. These activities were delivered by staff and covered all areas of the curriculum, including
●Spanish– pupils got to grips with basic vocabulary by listening to words called out by the teacher and running to the corresponding words or pictures in hoops on the ground
●Language(listening) – pupils listened to favourite stories, using resources found outside to stimulate imagination
●Language(poetry) – groups of pupils collected hidden cards to make limericks
●Technology- paper aeroplanes were designed, made and tested to discuss the merits of each
●PE– parachute games involved all ages and abilities
●Design– pupils worked in pairs to create pictures using natural materials such as leaves, pebbles, feathers, flowers.
●Science–materials from the grounds stimulated discussions about what they were made of and where they came from
●Music– bottles, yogurt cartons, water and sand were used to make home-made percussion
●Maths– ‘sum stars’on the tarmac had a number in the middle and pupils had to chalk sums on each point to give their star’s number
●Art– every pupil painted a pebble to be varnished and set into a concrete border in the school grounds as permanent reminder of Outdoor Day.

The outdoor day was described as a huge success by all. Every pupil, including those with additional support needs, took part and they plan to repeat it on an annual basis.

‘The playground was our classroom for the day,’said Johanna McClelland ‘and we were in the grounds from the start to the end, covering every aspect of the curriculum, from technology and music to modern languages and citizenship. ‘The pupils, who were in mixed age groups, were all fully engaged in cross curricular tasks designed to extend their knowledge and skills in an effective and enjoyable manner. There were lots of opportunities for enhancing team building, co-operative learning, peer and self assessment. The day was a huge success – the most positive outcome being that the children were enthusiastic and engaged throughout the day.’

Article from Grounds for Learning Newsletter May 2009

CfE: Eco School Development Work

Eco School Scotland are in the process of mapping the Eco-Schools 9 topics and 7 elements against the Experiences and Outcomes of the curricular areas and for the different levels to identify the links and also to identify opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching.

These will then be available to the Eco-Schools network to download from the website. They also plan to run CPD courses for teachers relating to this starting in the autumn/winter term.

How well do you know your grounds?

With the sun finally making an appearance and this year marking Darwin's 200th birthday now is a great time to get outside and find out how well you know your grounds! Here are some great ideas to help you find out more about your surroundings.

Science
‘From a range of sources, including my local environment, I can identify and classify examples of living things to help me appreciate their variety.’(SCN 205B)
●Voyage of discovery : See how many new species you can discover and classify. Keep a record as Darwin did. Don't worry if you're not an expert as there are many resources to help you identify anything and everything.
●Special spot : Discover your environment through all your senses. Ask each pupil to find a quiet spot away from others and sit for a few minutes. Ask them to note what they hear and record this on a ‘sound map’. Repeat this activity regularly so they notice the changes in their surroundings.

Literacy
‘I explore the richness and diversity of language, how it can affect me and the wide range of ways in which I and others can be creative.’ (Overarching experiences for all language learning)
●Poetree : Find a tree in your grounds and position a group around it - lying on the ground, looking up through the leaves, standing far away or up close. Ask them to stay in their position for a few minutes and describe their view. Record these descriptions and together you will have created a poem for the tree.
●Find a friend: In pairs one partner should be blindfolded while the other partner chooses a tree for them to ‘discover’using their other senses. Once they have got to know ‘their’tree they return to their starting point, remove the blindfold and try to find ‘their’ tree.
●Telling tales: Encourage lying…challenge your pupils to persuade the rest of the class that an object found in the playground is not what it seems – for example, an acorn is no longer an acorn but a football from a very important game being played above us – which has just been kicked offside and needs to be returned!

Expressive arts
‘Through observing and recording from my experiences, I can create images and objects which show growing awareness and recognition of detail.’(EXA 208G)
●Paint palettes : Use paint charts to find objects in the natural environment that match the colours/shades on the strip.
●Environmental art: Individually, in pairs or as a whole class make a piece of art outside using only the materials you find – including mud paint, towers of twigs and mobiles in the trees. See the work of Andy Goldsworthy for inspiration.
●Camera: In pairs ask one partner to close their eyes – only to open them when asked – to ‘take a photo’. The other partner positions them around the grounds to show them the world with new eyes (for example, lying on the floor looking up through the leaves, close up to see the detail of bark on a tree).

Article from Grounds for Learning Newsletter May 2009

Probationer Research 07/08 - The Outdoor Classroom

Nick Henry – John Logie Baird Primary School

The purpose of this study is to provide a report on the benefits of taking learning outdoors. For this particular study, the curricular area is language, with a focus on written poetry work. ACfE is encouraging teachers to take learning outdoors, and this project will give an insight into the possible benefits of incorporating this stimulus into a teacher’s lesson planning.

Click here to download a copy of the report.

Eco Drama

Eco Drama is an educational theatre company. It provides educational shows and workshops to primary schools across Scotland. Uniquely touring in The Magic Van, a vehicle run on renewable bio diesel, they aim to liven up core environmental topics within the Curriculum for Excellence and motivate children towards leading greener, healthier lifestyles.

From recycling workshops to interactive theatre shows about sustainable living, they aim to further the pupils learning and help pupils on the journey to becoming a top class Eco School!

Currently they are touring two Workshops & a Show, 'The Isle of Egg'.

* The Isle of Egg is an ecological fable inspired by Eigg, a beautiful, self-sustainable island off the west cost of Scotland. Through interactive storytelling, live music, eco gadgets and humorous characters, Eco Drama brings to life an uplifting story about climate change, positive thinking and the power of community spirit.

Touring Scotttish primary schools from May 2009.

* Professor Green's Eco Gadget Workshop explores themes of sustainability, specifically relating to transport and solar power. Pupils will have the chance to see a solar powered windmill, a hydrogen powered car, a boat run on nothing but candle wax, plus, a very special mystery gadget! Professor Green has a problem however; no one trusts her inventions because they don't run on traditional oil. Using drama and role play, pupils work with her to solve the problem, and in doing so become top class ambassadors for the environment!

Pupils also learn about The Magic Van, our unique touring vehicle which runs on 100% reclaimed vegetable oil.

* Recycling Heroes is an extremely fun and energetic drama workshop where pupils work with 'Bag Girl' to rid the town of the menacing Rubbish Monsters. The workshop is written around the principles of Reduce, Reuse & Re-cycle.

EcoDrama Website

Click here to download Isle of Egg Flyer(PDF)

Click here to download Recycling Heroes Flyer(PDF)

Click here to download Price List

Sustainable Assemblies

Some materials obtained off the internet in relation to Sustainable Assemblies.

Click here to download Fairtrade assembly

Click here to download Litter Assembly

Click here to download Recycling Play

Learning Landscapes Project-Dalmally Primary

A collaborative interdisciplinary project undertaken by Primary 6/7 in Dalmally Primary in liaison with Sam Harrison of Open Ground.

The project, which was based in Glen Strae, took place over a period of six to seven weeks and focused on three or four curriculum areas. The curriculum areas varied depending on the tasks. They were designed to allow scope for depth of learning within a concept or skill. Each task involved finally presenting learning to a wider audience.........

Read the full report

Click here to download the full report by the teacher.

Click here to download a pdf of the Learning Landscapes powerpoint presentation.

Click here to download a copy of the Interdisciplinary Planner.

Click here to download a pdf of media coverage of the Project.

Further information available from Dalmally Primary or Elaine Magor, QIO (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.gov.uk)

Project run in cooperation with:
Sam Harrison, Open Ground (Ecological Education and Consultancy for People and Place)
Open Ground Website
Sam@openground.eu

Playground Partnerships is Back!

Playground Partnerships 2009 is now open for registration.

To be in for a chance of winning up to £10,000 to redevelop your play area please register to participate in the scheme via the Kids First Trust website.

Playground Partnerships is a scheme designed to enable primary-aged school children to redesign their play areas. Fitting in with the national curriculum, the scheme helps develop core skills and competencies. The scheme is run as a competition for all primary schools in the United Kingdom and will be open from 8th September 2009 to 19th March 2010.

How

Register via the Kids First Trust website to participate - Kids First Trust Website You will be given a unique login allowing access to the resource materials
Guide the Children with preparing the portfolio
Send the completed portfolio along with application form to Kids First Trust by 19th March 2010

What

One lucky winner will be awarded the top prize of £10,000 in order to transform their play area.
Ten runner up prizes of £1,000 each are also up for grabs.
If you think you're school would be interested in applying please visit the website now.

Good luck!

Email: playgrounds@kidsfirsttrust.org

Tel: 020 7841 8966

Grounds for Learning Resource Box

GfL Website

This box is available for all schools to borrow. See website for details.

Tree-o-clock Event

Breathing Places with the BBC

Free Rowan Tree

Breathing Spaces Website

To sign up to the Breathing Places scheme, just follow the link and you will be sent a rowan tree. This tree must be planted on the 10th November, and all the schools can take part in a record breaking tree planting event, titled Tree-o-clock

Green Balloon Club Week 2009

A set of 5 story books, certificates, mini-beast and flora hunt sheets and an activity pack are available, free for all schools to register for and recieve at the following link, downloadable and sent resources.

Breathing Spaces website - Green Balloon Club

Wee Green School

Wee Green School Pack and Garden for Life

SNH Website - Wee Green School

An excellent pack, available to download or send away for.

Great Glow Sites

Keep an eye on the list of National Glow sites springing up. There are a large number to assist with taking forward Outdoor Learning and Sustainability

eg

Active Learning Indoors and Out
Designing a Garden
Fairtrade
Global Citizenship
LTS Outdoor Learning Conference 2009
Outdoor Learning
SNH Sharing Good Practice events

.... to name but a few!

The Iceberg Game

An indoor / outdoor game relating to global warming and the effect on wildlife eg penguins.

Gets pupils active and thinking!!

Click here to download the game.

Interdisciplinary Studies at Minard Primary

Eco Detectives

Brief statement summarising nature of tasks and how these build towards the final outcome -

Pupils will research, experiment, investigate, report and present their knowledge of CONSERVATION through the interdisciplinary tasks outlined. The impact of their learning will be applied to the whole sesssioon parallel interdisciplinary focus on Africa.

My thanks to Fiona Macdonald, Head Teacher, for sharing this work.

Click here to download a copy of the Interdisciplinary Planner (PDF)

OUTCOME MAPS

OUTCOME MAPS FOR CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE OUTCOMES AND EXPERIENCES

Eco-Schools Scotland have just launched of their new Outcome Maps for the Curriculum for Excellence.

They have worked with experts from each of the five curricular Levels to provide an overview of how the Seven Elements of the Eco-Schools programme, and each of the Nine Topics, can link into the outcomes of the new Curriculum for Excellence.

These Outcome Maps are only designed to provide a starting point for teaching staff when it comes to linking Eco-Schools work with the new Curriculum for Excellence. They have supplied them in an editable 'Word' format, as well as PDF versions, and they strongly encourage adaptation, addition, and further development in accordance with the specific needs of each educational establishment. The maps are in no way prescriptive and are simply intended as 'starters for ten' to help teachers’ planning as they introduce the new curriculum.

They would also be very grateful if users could feed back their thoughts on these documents and any adaptations they have made.

Word and PDF formats are available from their website. (www.ecoschoolsscotland.org)

Click here to download Early Level Outcome Map (Word).

Click here to download First Level Outcome Map (Word).

Click here to download Second Level Outcome Map (Word).

Click here to download Third Level Outcome Map (Word).

Click here to download Fourth Level Outcome Map (Word).

Gaelic Eco Notices

Gaelic notices for display

Lùghdaich - Reduce
Ath-chleachd - Reuse
Ath-chuartaich - Recycle

Click here to download Lùghdaich poster.

Click here to download Ath-chleachd poster.

Click here to download Ath-chuartaich poster.

Cycle Friendly School Awarded

December 2009

Barcaldine Primary in Oban achieved Cycle Friendly School status due to their efforts to ensure pupils have the right infrastructure, training and encouragement to make their way to class by bike.

Barcaldine Primary is engaged in a wide range of activities in connection with cycling and active travel. Through their participation in the Generation Green project the school has purchased a bike for every child, and all pupils are offered on-road cycle training. 40% of children regularly cycle to school, which is significantly higher than the national average of around 3%. The school also works hard to promote cycling to pupils, with recent school trips including a visit to the Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup and there are plans for a led ride to the Scottish Sea Life Centre.

The example set by Barcaldine shows how cycling can form part of a much broader approach to raising environmental awareness and encouraging sustainable living.

To find out more about the Cycle Friendly School award Cycle Friendly Website

You can register online and complete the self assessment form that will help you determine how cycle friendly a school is. You may find that your school already qualifies, and if not, Cycling Scotland can provide help and support to guide you towards Cycle Friendly Status.
Christopher Johnson
Active Travel and Education Officer
Cycling Scotland
24 Blythswood Square
Glasgow
G2 4BG

0141 229 5353

'Creative Connections' course

EcoSchools Scotland in Partnership with RSPB, the SpeyGrian Educational Trust and the Isle of Eigg community will be running their annual 'Creative Connections' course from 24th - 31st July 2010.

Based on the beautiful island of Eigg (recent winners of the UK Green Challenge Award) it is a unique opportunity for personal and professional development for teachers drawn from all sectors of education. Participants in the past have included nursery, primary and secondary across disciplines, librarians, community educators, LA advisors, LTS secondees, countryside rangers and National Park staff.

The cost this year is £295 which includes all tuition fees, ferry fares and full board for seven nights. There are only 16 places and the course is normally over subscribed.

'Creative Connections' is particularly relevant in 2010, where both International Year of Biodiversity and the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development are being celebrated.

Detailed information and photos - Speygrain Website

CREATIVE CONNECTIONS: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION

Creative Connections is a week-long residential course which takes place annually on the Hebridean Island of Eigg. The course which includes a large outdoor element, is delivered by Eco-Schools Scotland in partnership with RSPB, the SpeyGrian Educational Trust and the Eigg community. At its core is the concept that the best way to understand the complexity of current world issues is through real world learning opportunities in our immediate surroundings. First hand experience of local natural history, local community and local economic activity combined with imagination, creativity and reflection allows teachers and the young people in their care to develop a place-based environmental view that can be expanded to encompass sustainable lifestyles.

Using the expertise of facilitators specialised in writing, ecology, art and music, Creative Connections participants explore sustainability, biodiversity and citizenship from different perspectives helping them to reflect on their role as teachers including the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence. They are also given opportunities to discover their own creative potential through a combination of arts, science, technology and philosophy. Discussions continue after the course through regular networking events and through the use of Glow.

Outdoor Bench

As recommended by Dunoon Grammar School.

Good, substantial bench for outside use. Under £150.

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