A Curriculum for Excellence

Learning and Teaching> Curriculum for Excellence

A Curriculum for Excellence - Sustainable Development

In Argyll and Bute we acknowledge that Education should be concerned with developing informed attitudes to the environment and equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they will need to care for our world. Education for Sustainable Development should be part of an all round education for life and permeate throughout the curriculum. It should not be seen as a discrete aspect of Environmental Studies but go beyond this into all aspects of learning. It will be an integral part of the development of citizenship in our schools and communities. Argyll and Bute developed a curriculum paper and policy for Education for Sustainable Development to enable schools to access guidance. This was updated in December 2003 and will be reviewed in December 2006. Closely linked to A Curriculum for Excellence, these issues are embedded in all aspects of schools’ work ; it’s culture, ethos, management structure, its learning and teaching, community links and in the management of school buildings and grounds.

Elaine Magor

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

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION

www.ltscotland.org.uk/sustainabledevelopment - External site

Sustainable development is about improving our wellbeing without jeopardising anyone's opportunities to do the same locally, globally or in the future. Sustainable development is perhaps most easily understood as developing our society, economy and environment in line with the principles of sustainable development:
• Interdependence
• Diversity
• Carrying capacity
• Rights and responsibilities
• Equity and justice
• Uncertainty and precaution

What is sustainable development education?
Although environmental, development, citizenship and global dimension education have been teaching pupils about the principles of sustainable development for many years, studies have shown that it has not resulted in changes of behaviour. Our lifestyles are now more unsustainable than they have ever been.

Sustainable development education is about ensuring pupils not only acquire knowledge and understanding of the principles of sustainable development but also acquire the skills and values needed to do something about them. The three key features of sustainable development education are:
• A joined-up approach where the links between sustainable development issues, other subject areas, the pupils’ own lives and locally relevant issues are clearly articulated and obvious.
• A participative approach where all members of the school community, including pupils, are involved in decision making and planning changes to improve sustainability.
• A reflective approach where time is set aside to look at what has been achieved and answer the questions:
o Did we achieve what we set out to do?
o What went well?
o What would we do differently next time?
o What mechanisms are in place to ensure that ‘lessons learned’ are applied to future initiatives?

Learning for Our Future

www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications - External site

Learning For Our Future: Scotland's First Action Plan for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

Description:
The first wave of actions taken by the Scottish Executive over the next five years in support of the global programme to integrate the principles, values and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education - the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

Publication date:
August 21, 2006

SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND

www.sustainable-scotland.net- External site

A site bringing together practitioners from Scotland’s local authorities to share experiences and take action on sustainable development. A useful site to gather information

WWF SCOTLAND

www.wwflearning.org.uk - External site

WWF's site for those working to put Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at the heart of school life.

WWF SCOTLAND - WEB SITE

www.wwf.org.uk/core/about/scotland.asp- External site

“We live on a bountiful planet, but not a limitless one... Help us invest in a better future.”

WWF Scotland is based in Dunkeld, Perthshire. We are part of WWF-UK, and work on issues from a uniquely Scottish perspective. Our mission in Scotland is to build long-term solutions to environmental problems for the benefit of people and nature.

SCOTLANDS FOOTPRINT

www.scotlandsfootprint.org

“ The trouble with land is they stopped making it some time ago”. Mark Twain

HOW BIG IS YOUR FOOTPRINT?

As most of us know, Planet Earth has a limited amount of resources and we're using them up more quickly than they can be replaced - if they can be replaced at all.

Learning & Teaching Scotland, in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund, have produced a great new resource to help schools monitor their use of these precious resources. The Schools' Global Footprint materials are designed to help you to work out the size of your school’s Ecological Footprint and look at what you can do to reduce your impact on the planet.

It offers practical, curriculum-based teaching and learning ideas, designed for primary and secondary schools, and it's intended to act as a stimulus for change.

It's also a great way to help to monitor and evaluate your school's Eco Schools work!

Log on to the Global Footprint for schools website to find out more...

Linkingthinking

www.wwflearning.co.uk/linkingthinking

Linkingthinking is a ground-breaking, flexible suite of learning and teaching resources designed to generate new perspectives, introduce systems ideas, and develop relational thinking schools. In a highly complex and interdependent world, Linkingthinking provides the necessary component to the reductionist thinking which is helping to compound our problems.

Downloadable. Secondary resource.

THE GLOBE PROGRAMME

www.globe.org.uk

The GLOBE Programme encourages pupils to measure aspects of their local environment and report their results over the Internet. Data from schools around the world are then available for pupils to use in a wide range of projects and activities.

GLOBE aims:
• to enhance the environmental awareness world wide.
• to increase scientific understanding of the Earth.
• to provide practical opportunities for pupils to increase skills in science, geography, citizenship, maths & I.C.T.

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.

The Outdoor Classroom

A very informative and interesting inservice provided by Aileen Thomas, 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

Waste Prevention and Recycling Education for Schools

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

A useful site

TeachingSpace is the outdoor learning site for teachers where you can find:

A searchable database of outdoor sites in your local area and beyond

Downloadable activities and curriculum links

.....and lots more information on outdoor learning!

TeachingSpace

Litter / Waste Minimisation - Chewing Gum

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

Polar Lands Project

Project undertaken by Achaleven Primary School, near Oban.

Supported by provision of Polar Lands Active Learning Box from Active Learning Resources Ltd Active Learning Resources Ltd.

Schools chosen were to develop an Interdisciplinary Challenge or Storyline around the sustainability theme chosen.

Click here to download a copy of the Project Planning (scanned).

Click here to download a copy of the Science and Technology Project Planning (DOC).

Click here to download a copy of the Social Subjects Project Planning (DOC).

Click here to download a copy of the Project Evaluation.

Click here to download a pdf of photographs of the project.

Click here to download details of the Polar Lands Resource Box. (PDF)

Education for Sustainable Development

Materials issued January 2008

Policy Statement Click here to download (.doc)

Appendix 1 Supporting documentation Click here to download (.doc)

Appendix 2 Key organisations Click here to download (.doc)

Appendix 3 Relevant weblinks Click here to download (.doc)

Appendix 4 HMIE Click here to download (.doc)

Appendix 5 School Policy Statement Click here to download (.doc)

Outdoor Learning

Progress of the National Outdoor Learning Strategic Advisory Group (OLSAG)

Report on Progress to December 2008

Key Tasks identified:

. Learning and Teaching Scotland have appointed a Development Officer, initially until June 2009, to help OLSAG deliver the key tasks and work streams.

• Promote a national understanding of the nature and potential of outdoor learning based on the work of the ‘Outdoor Connections Programme’ definition i.e. the outdoor classroom is a setting; outdoor education is a process in which educators, students and others take part; and outdoor learning is that learning which accrues as a result.

• Explore what needs to be done at national and local level to support schools in using the outdoors as an extension of the classroom;

• Develop advice/tools to overcome the main barriers to outdoor learning as identified in Taking Learning Outdoors, partnership for excellence, and the summary of the LTS/SNH funded research;

• Demonstrate how outdoor learning can make a significant contribution to achieving the experiences and outcomes across all areas of the 3-18 curriculum for all pupils;

• Develop advice/tools to help plan children’s learning in the outdoor environment in the early years. This could include promoting good examples of opportunities for children to explore the natural world and their local environment;

• Improve equality of access to outdoor learning in schools and through a residential experience, and consider the potential contribution of philanthropic input;

• Share good examples across the country and encourage schools to provide more opportunities for outdoor learning, including a ‘Curriculum for Excellence focussed 5-day residential experience.

To date OLSAG has commissioned sub-groups to take forward the work streams listed below. Progress will be reported at the next meeting of the OLSAG on 27 February 2009.

• The Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL) to work with Scottish Natural Heritage to consider whether, and if so how, IOL could be brought together with Grounds for Learning.

• Produce advice for schools on how to access information on the range of outdoor learning opportunities across the 3-18 curriculum.

• Host a National Conference on 27/28 April 2009 at the MacDonald Aviemore Resort. A small steering group has been established to develop the programme.

• Provide advice for Ministers on financing outdoor learning in its widest sense, including 5 day residential experience.

• Discuss with the Scottish Government, General Teaching Council for Scotland and Initial Teacher Education Institutions the possibilities around outdoor learning being given a higher profile during initial teacher education.

• Develop easy to use guidance on good practice in health and safety, risk management and related child protection.

• LTS to work with Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland on mapping where the opportunities lie for outdoor learning in the Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes. Case studies will include exemplification of small activities that can be incorporated into the everyday school experience, will be included in this work.

• Develop good practice guidance for 5 day residential experiences.

• Explore the possibility of HMIE including outdoor learning in their series of portraits of current practice in Scottish schools.

ALIenergy Newsletter

ALIenergy have an Education and Development Officer who is available to come to schools and run workshops for pupils of all ages. These workshops can be customised to suit your requirements fitting under the basic topics of:
Renewable Energy
Energy Efficiency
Fuel Poverty
Climate Change and Global Warming

There is also a new part-time Education Support Officer who will be working with ALIenergy’s Benefits and Energy Advisors on the Argyll Affordable Warmth Project

There are various resources under development which you will be kept updated about through emails and twice yearly newsletters.

Click here to download (PDF)

Education4 Sustainability

National Park Rangers provide free educational activities to schools. Catering for all ages and abilities, this inspiring E4S:Education for Sustainability programme provides links to the Curriculum for Excellence. Rangers also offer an outreach programme of fun, hands-on, outdoor activities and can visit your school in or outwith the National Park.

Rangers support schools completing John Muir Awards, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, as well as sustainable school grounds development initiatives through Grounds for Learning and Eco-schools.

Rangers can assist in the planning and preparing for a visit and have expert knowledge of the Park's areas. They complete Risk assessments for all activities provided, are qualified First Aiders and always carry first aid kits.

The Ranger Service is available all year round, free of charge. Contact your nearest Ranger team:
Breadalbane and The Trossachs Ranger Team (Callandar) Tel: 01389 722 126
Lomond Land Ranger Team (Balmaha and Inchcailloch) Tel: 01389 722 100
Lomond Land Ranger Team (Luss) Tel: 01389 722 120
Lomond Water Ranger Team (Balloch Slipway) Tel: 01389 722 030
Cowal Ranger Team (Ballochyle) Tel: 01389 727 736

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)

Book REVIEW

One well - Imagine all the earth's water came from one source.

Rochelle Strauss

Imagine all the water on Earth came from just one well? As One Well by Rochelle Strauss makes clear, this isn’t as strange as it sounds. All water on Earth is connected, so there really is just one source - one global well -from which we all draw our water. All living things depend on Earth’s one well. Life would be impossible without it. But the water in the Earth’s well is threatened by our growing population and demands. What can we do to protect it?

One well answers these questions while telling the eye-opening story of water on Earth with the aid of beautiful illustrations and a clear informative text. One well’s call to action shows how every one of us has the power to conserve and protect our global well.

ISBN 9780713687613

£12.99

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

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

Grounds for Learning Pilot

In Session 2007/8 Grounds for Learning worked with Argyll & Bute Council to carry out a small research project with a few Argyll schools exploring the value of outdoor learning and how it works in practice. The project concentrated on how school grounds can be used to extend and enhance the curriculum, particularly with regard to Curriculum for Excellence but also taking into account Eco Schools, Health Promoting Schools, Enterprise, etc.

The project aimed to build on the successful use of school grounds as a curricular resource at Inveraray Primary School, encouraging and supporting other schools in the local authority to take forward their own plans for outdoor learning.

Outline information regarding these projects is contained in the entries below on this web page. Further information can be obtained from Elaine Magor (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

Colgrain Primary's GfL development

Theme of the GfL Pilot development : How can our school grounds be used to extend and enhance the curriculum with regard to Curriculum for Excellence and in particular the Health and Wellbeing of our pupils?

Summary of Conclusion:Huge impact on school ethos, attitudes to learning outdoors and to development of immediate environment. Feedback all positive – pupils love being outdoors because they have fun and don’t do work!

For further information, photographs etc contact Elaine Magor (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

Click here to download (DOC)

Achahoish Primary's GfL development

Theme of the GfL Pilot development : To measure the school's impact on the environment and in so doing create a plan to reduce and monitor our own Global Footprint.

Summary of Conclusion: There has been a lot of project work done in Achahoish School over the past 5+ years, which has included aspects of outdoor learning. This has now permeated into other areas of the curriculum and has been beneficial to the ethos and the success of the school. Many of the principles behind a CfE are now embedded in teaching and learning in the school.

For further information, photographs etc contact Elaine Magor (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

Click here to download (DOC)

Park Primary's GfL development

Theme of the GfL Pilot development : The Pirate Project - To encourage more use of the outdoors. To develop teachers’ skills in planning outdoor learning. To promote learning through play. To assess children’s enthusiasm and motivation towards learning when using the outdoors

Summary of Conclusion: It has been an enjoyable and worthwhile project for pupils and staff. Everyone has benefited from embracing Curriculum for Excellence, Eco School and Grounds for Learning approaches.

For further information, photographs etc contact Elaine Magor (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

Click here to download (DOC)

Iona Primary's GfL development

Theme of the GfL Pilot development : International education - the development of a weather project with links to schools in various countries, to communicate and share data.

Summary of Conclusion: Weather is not important although obviously it is much more fun when it is warm and dry but with the correct outdoor gear there is nothing to stop you going out and using the outdoors and as can be seen from this short account of what we do in Iona Primary School there is the possibility to cover all areas of the curriculum and have fantastic fun whilst doing it.

For further information, photographs etc contact Elaine Magor (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

Click here to download (DOC)

Inveraray Primary's GfL development

Theme of the GfL Pilot development : Forest Schools development - To put into practice and embed skills learnt during our level 3 Forest School Training course. To compile and resource suitable activities for a rolling program of Forest school in our school, ensuing that there is depth and progression to maintain the children’s needs as they mature and develop. To see if it was possible to use the outdoor for learning in the winter months.

Summary of Conclusion: Forest school has been an extremely successfully addition to our outdoor learning programme. The participating children have been very engaged in their learning, they have learnt new skills and this success has increased their self esteem and self confidence. Forest school has proved a good vehicle for improving relationships within the classes and the ability or children to work co operatively in groups has increased. The children have enjoyed the interaction with their environment and it is hoped that this will have a lasting effect on their environmental awareness.

For further information, photographs etc contact Elaine Magor (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

Click here to download (DOC)

SOLAR ENERGY

The Scottish solar Energy Group is offering a unique facility - SOLAR ONE. SOLAR ONE is a van which is fitted out with solar collectors (both heat and electricity), a small wind turbine and it is propelled by bio-diesel. The van carries a model train set powered by photovoltaics and also has a solar powered electric bagpipe.

The SSEG offers this van to schools, principally primary, across Scotland. The normal procedure is a 2 hour visit. This is composed of a talk for about half an hour in the school to as many pupils as possible. This is followed by groups of about 10 pupils visiting the van.

Charges are as follows:
Half day (one school) £100
One day (two schools) £150
Full week (ten schools) £500


Further details on Solar One

The Forest Education Initiative Partnership Fund

The Forest Education Initiative Partnership Fund is specifically to support the work of local groups known as Forest Education Initiative (FEI) clusters. The aim of the Fund is to help develop among young people a greater understanding of trees, woodlands, forest management, forest products and wood as a sustainable resource. Clusters can include woodland owners, related industries, schools and colleges, local authorities, community groups and environmental bodies .

The Partnership Fund can provide grants of between £500 and £5,000 for specific activities, which enhance the overall objectives of the FEI. The type of activities that can be funded include; training for teachers (e.g. teachers' workshops); educational visits (e.g. to the wide range of forest, timber and woodworking trades and industry) and creating facilities in woodlands for education; educational projects in schools; practical projects (in and out of school) involving children; case studies about woodland management or wood use; and development and production of materials for educational use by teachers or children (especially material that can be published more widely, for example by being placed on the FEI website); etc.

If you are interested in starting a Cluster Group, the FEI national co-ordinators are available to give support and guidance with setting up and running a cluster.

The next closing date for applications is the 1st June 2009.

BBC Website

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)

THE AGE OF STUPID

THE AGE OF STUPID - DRAMA DOCUMENTARY ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

In it, Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?

Secondary Schools are invited to put on a screening of the film. It has been described by the magazine The Ecologist as knocking "An Inconvenient Truth into a cocked hat"

(Apparently there are two swear words in it, but it is a 12A )

View the trailer here : Trailer Website(Unable to be accessed through our system: needs to be viewed elsewhere)

See this link about how a screening can be arranged .
Film Website

Here's stuff about action packs for schools .
Action Aid Website

The science behind the film can be read here :
Film Website

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

Ethical TV

Ethical.tv is the first dedicated global online TV website for films, stories, news and views about ethical lifestyle issues that affect people across the world.

Ethical tv aims to encourage and inspire active participation and empowerment through this first dedicated ethical online TV website.

Channels include:
Fair Trade
Health
Education
Investment
Environment
Campaigns and News
The Co-operative TV - The Co-operative's new online web channel featuring films, news & views from the UK's number one major retailer for social responsibility

Ethical TV Website

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

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

Whole school developments

SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

Sustainable development (SD) is the process of changing our society so that we are all living within the environmental limits of our planet and have made our society fair and equitable.

It is closely allied to global citizenship (GC) - being a responsible member of local, national and global society. Sustainable development and global citizenship involve addressing issues such as:
• environmental damage,
• climate change,
• biodiversity loss,
• discrimination,
• prejudice, exploitation and injustice.

Schools are now expected to link together the things they are already doing so sustainable development and global citizenship become a coherent theme running through the entire school.

It is also expected that pupils' learning will be based on taking practical action and being actively involved in tackling these issues rather than simply learning about them.

Planning a whole school approach – Audit Activity

1. Get a large sheet of paper and draw a table with three columns down the side and seven columns across the top. Label the three columns down the side curriculum, campus and ethos/culture - the three elements of a school.

2. Label the columns across the top with elements of sustainable development eg protecting the environment, caring for biodiversity, tackling discrimination and prejudice, valuing diversity, the global dimension, participation in decision making, and linking with our local community.

3. These suggestions are a starting point but if there is another element that is important in your school or community, feel free to add to or amend the list.

(See attached template) 4. For each element of sustainability, work your way down the column noting down what you are already doing about it :
• through the curriculum,
• through your campus (how you organise and use your school buildings and grounds) and
• through your school's ethos/culture (how your school organises itself, the behaviour that is expected and the rules and policies it has).

5. Once you've identified what you're already doing, ask yourself these questions:
• Can we link any of these activities together so our pupils experience sustainable development in a more coherent and consistent way?

• Can we make these activities more practical and hands-on so our pupils are learning sustainable development by doing it rather than just being told about it?

• What more could we do?'

6. You don't need to take on all the elements at once. You can focus on one or two, moving on to others in the future. Or, each element can be taken on by a different year group or department. Don't worry if you're not feeling too confident about any of the elements or you just want some fresh ideas and inspiration, there is lots of help available - see the information for sources of info, training and resources.

7. Once you've come up with some actions, they can easily be pulled together into a sustainable development action plan as part of your eco schools work.

Article and idea taken from 'Teaching Scotland' magazine. Issue 30. June/July 2009.

Click here to download the Audit template in Word.

Click here to download Useful Links.

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

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!

Nature Detectives

A wonderful website for ideas and free resources for early years.

Nature Detectives Website

Some ideas for Autumn : Click here to download (PDF)

Loads more resources available to download.

Some GLOW resources

Two resources from the Active Learning Indoors and Out GLOW website:

Click here to download (PDF) of Backpocket Outdoor Learning Ideas

Click here to download (doc) of Outdoor Learning Questions.

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.

Opening the Doorway to Sustainability

Schools and teachers have a vital role to play in ensuring that the next generation have the skills and knowledge to make lifestyle choices that are sustainable. This philosophy underpins WWF’s One Planet Schools® programme.

'Opening the Doorway to Sustainability' is the popular, and highly regarded, professional development programme from WWF-UK, which is once again being run 11 January - 26 March 2010 by Sustainability and Environmental Education (SEEd) .

This participative course offers an opportunity to explore how taking a sustainable schools approach can benefit pupils, teachers, the wider community and the health and wellbeing of the planet on which we all depend.

Course participants will explore different approaches to sustainable schools, identify and begin to develop key skills, and practice reflection and action learning approaches to ensure new skills and knowledge are applied. At the end of the course, participants should feel equipped to take forward sustainable development education in their school with confidence.

In the light of Copenhagen and the large scale issues that will become topics for classroom and general discussion, this course will help you explain how sustainable schools can mitigate climate change and how you can lead this through your school/s. The 10 week course involves two to three hours work per week. It is supported by skilled facilitators with a background in sustainability education and online learning who will guide participants through the stages of the course whilst encouraging dialogue and peer support.

How do I find out more?
To find out more, please download the supporting Course Information resource by visiting the dedicated course website: SEEd Website

This online course is extremely popular among teachers, local authorities and sustainability practitioners alike, and participant numbers are limited. To request a registration pack, or obtain further information on this course, please contact Sustainability and Environmental Education (SEEd) on:
Telephone: 020 7420 4446 or 07525 264540
Email: hermione.fricker@se-ed.org.uk
Or visit our website: SEEd Website

For more information on WWF's One Planet Schools® Programme, visit: WWF Website

Michael Cutts SEEd Projects Manager 020 7420 4446 07525 264 540

Creative Connections

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.

Conservation

Project undertaken by St Andrew's Primary School, Bute.

Supported by provision of Conservation - Lower Primary Active Learning Box from Active Learning Resources Ltd Active Learning Resources Ltd.

Schools chosen were to develop an Interdisciplinary Challenge or Storyline around the sustainability theme chosen.

Click here to download a copy of the Project Evaluation.

Click here to download the Interdisciplinary Planning sheet for the project.

Click here to download details of the Conservation - Lower Primary Resource Box. (PDF)

Click here to download photograph1.

Click here to download photograph2.

Click here to download photograph3.

Click here to download an example of one of the letters used in the project.

For further photographs and support materials contact Elaine Magor, Quality Improvement Officer (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

Rainforest

Project undertaken by Castlehill Primary School, Campbeltown.

Supported by provision of Rainforest Active Learning Box from Active Learning Resources Ltd Active Learning Resources Ltd.

Schools chosen were to develop an Interdisciplinary Challenge or Storyline around the sustainability theme chosen.

Click here to download a copy of the Project Plan.

Click here to download details of the Rainforest Resource Box. (PDF)

Click here to download photographA.

Click here to download photographB.

Click here to download photographC.

Click here to download photographD.

For further photographs contact Elaine Magor, Quality Improvement Officer (elaine.magor@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk)

Investigating Plants

Project undertaken by Achahoish Primary School.

Supported by provision of Growing Plants Active Learning Box from Active Learning Resources Ltd Active Learning Resources Ltd.

Schools chosen were to develop an Interdisciplinary Challenge or Storyline around the sustainability theme chosen.

Click here to download a copy of the Project Plan 1.

Click here to download a copy of the Project Plan 2.

Click here to download details of the Growing Plants Resource Box. (PDF)

Further materials to come as project develops.

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