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School Resources
Below are some of the resources available on the TeachShare online resource which is free to all schools and eco-educators. TeachShare provides a multitude of links and supporting information which help schools satisfy Sustainable Schools targets and Eco Schools topics. For more information and to gain free access to this fantastic resource, please click this link.
School gardens: Bringing learning to life
A school garden is a wonderful way to learn lessons in a creative, yet practical, way. It can be a place to learn green skills, to study the environment, to inspire art and execute design, to observe and conserve. Even a small patch can enrich the education of school children from nursery all the way to A Level.
Get students involved right from the initial research stages right through to the garden’s design and construction. Where in the grounds could a garden be planted? Is there a disused corner of a playing field or playground, or a wall with space for a trellis? If space is an issue you may wish to consider approaching a local allotment association. Members may even allow you to jump the often very long waiting list!
Alternatively, Landshare could introduce you to a private landowner with space in their garden to spare. Perhaps not as convenient, but it could improve your school’s links to the wider community. While researching your space you can register your school for Green Day and add your garden to the list of activities taking place.
For further information, please see the website http://www.engagingplaces.org.uk/teaching+resources/art75739
A new educational package has been designed to help children learn about hedgerows, and teachers to teach about them. It is aimed at children aged between 7 and 11, at Key Stage 2, and is closely linked to the primary curriculum.
Hedgerows ResourceChildren, have a go at one of the three interactive learning games introduced by Doris the dormouse. You will find them great fun.
Teachers, the package contains full information on how to carry out a children’s hedgerow survey with many learning opportunities, as well as a range of activity sheets and helpful notes.
The package has been produced by Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) for Hedgelink with expert help from partner members and teachers, and was funded by Defra, Natural England and the National Hedge Laying Society..
For further instructions and information, please see the website http://www.hedgelink.org.uk/hedgerows/
The Growing Schools Garden
This inspirational resource will allow you to take away ideas to make learning outside the classroom – within the schools grounds and beyond - a daily part of your curriculum.
As you wander through this virtual garden you will discover case studies from participating schools, fact sheets on how to develop areas in your own school, video testimonies and a rich resource library including information on support organisations and places to visit.
For instructions on how to set up your own Wild Corner, please see the website http://www.thegrowingschoolsgarden.org.uk/
The Big Wildlife Garden
Calling all teachers! Turn your school grounds into a nature zone and enter the School of the Year competition.
The search is on for England’s best school wildlife garden! You’ll have until July 2010 to make as many improvements as possible in your school to qualify for our Green Award level. You could create a wildflower meadow, build a pond and install nests for bumble bees – whatever it takes to collect enough points!
Once you’ve reached the Green Award level you’ll be asked send in an article and photos about your garden. Our judges will then scrutinise your entries to select a winner in each of the nine English regions, as well as the overall national Big Wildlife Garden, School of the Year.
Entry to the competition is free, but beware! - to get to Green level you’ll need to become really expert wildlife gardeners. Each winner will be presented with a special commemorative plaque to display in their garden, presented by a local celebrity.
We’ll be announcing more details of the competition and keeping a track on entries throughout the school year.
For further instructions and information, please see the website http://www.bwg.naturalengland.org.uk/news/show/2
National Nest Box Week (Starts 14th February, 2010)
National Nest Box Week is great for birds. Starting on St Valentine's Day, it's the time we remind ourselves to provide homes for dozens of species, from Blue Tits to Barn Owls. National Nest Box Week encourages everyone to put up nest boxes in their local area in order to promote and enhance biodiversity and conservation of our breeding birds and wildlife.
The natural nest sites on which many of our bird species depend, such as holes in trees and buildings, are fast disappearing as gardens and woods are ‘tidied’ and old houses are repaired. Since National Nest Box Week was launched in 1997, thousands of enthusiastic naturalists across the UK have put up boxes to compensate for th-is loss. It is estimated that there are now 5-6 million boxes in gardens across the UK.
For more information on this event, please click here.
BBC - Science & Nature UK Wildlife - Create a Wild Corner
A wild, undisturbed corner of the school garden can be a great habitat for birds and insects as well as a place for larger mammals to shelter.
For instructions on how to set up your own Wild Corner, please see the website http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/gardenwildlife/myspace/content.shtml?21
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