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Useful Resources for Learning Outside the Classroom
In our experience theres a whole host of places you can look to find ideas, tools and suggestions to get you and your learners in an outdoor environment yet cover your curriculum at the same time. If you have an outdoor classroom or just a corner of the school grounds you’ve got what you need to excite, engage and stimulate your learners. Here’s our compilation of the best places you can look to make best use of your time:
FREE support from…
The Woodland Trust:
Nature Detectives www.naturedetectives.org.uk
Schools (lists all learning opportunities including free sapling packs for schools)
Green Tree Schools Award www.naturedetectives.org.uk/schools/award
Ancient Tree Hunt www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk
Forestry Commission:
Woodland Learning www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland
Key partner in Forest Education (Forest Schools) www.foresteducation.org/
Other organisations:
Education Scotland, especially:
Outdoor Learning www.educationscotland.gov.uk/outdoorlearning
KS1–KS4 Growing Schools Garden Teacher Resource Pack (and much more!)
Available to down load from: www.growingschools.org.uk/Resources/
Scottish Natural Heritage www.snh.org.uk/TeachingSpace
Grounds for Learning Scotland www.ltl.org.uk/scotland/
RSPB Bird Identifier www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdidentifier
Wildlife TV (in case it rains!) www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com
Scottish Outdoor Access Code (primary and secondary resources)
Creative Star Learning especially ‘I’m a Teacher get me Outside ’blog
Council for Learning Outside the Classroom
Education Scotland www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningteachingandassessment/approaches/outdoorlearning/supportmaterials/resources/Research.asp
Roger Greenaway www.reviewing.co.uk/research/links.htm
Outdoor Ed Research and Evaluation Centrewww.wilderdom.com/research.php
Books or resources packs (to buy)
- Earth & Snow Walks by Steve Van Matre, The Institute for Earth Education UK
- Sharing Nature with Children – Part I & II by Joseph Cornell, Deep Books
- Nature’s Playground by Fiona Danks & Jo Schofield
- Go Wild by Fiona Danks & Jo Schofield
- Talking to the Earth by Gordon MacLellan
- No Fear – Growing Up in a Risk Averse Society by Tim Gill
- Natural Leaders: Environmental Games and Activities by The National Trust for
- LOC Handbook by School Outdoor Learning www.schooloutdoorlearning.com
- Arbojo Packs (for Teacher led team building) by School Outdoor Learning
- Expansive Education by Guy Claxton, Bill Lucas and Ellen Spencer
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
- Children Learning Outside the Classroom by Sue Waite