Wild about Art Key Stage 1 Aim of session: To create artwork inspired by natural materials. To discover the diversity of colour in nature To use natural materials to encourage creativity. To investigate shape, pattern and texture within the natural environment Note: The activities are seasonal due to the availability of natural materials but your session may include the following: Catch a Rainbow Explore the diversity of colour by collecting rainbow colours Mirror walk See the world from a different perspective Texture Challenge Search for different textures to decorate a texture tree Wild Sculptures Use colours & textures to create a 3D sculpture. On a guided walk around school can the children find/make rubbings of different textures e.g. brickwork, wood. Provide natural materials to feel, compare and sketch e.g. pine cones, smooth pebbles, feathers Look at the work of Andy Goldsworthy. Give children the opportunity to create their own natural art in the school grounds, talk about their creation then take a photograph of it as a lasting memory. Leave it for the weather to re-arrange!
Exploring Attenborough Key Stage 1 Aims of session: To use the senses to explore a local habitat. To use the senses to explore the environment To collect objects on a scavenger hunt To follow a nature trail and treasure hunt using simple maps or numbered clues Journey Card As we go on a journey, collect natural objects to remind you of the way home Rainbow Chips Discover the diversity of colours in nature by matching natural objects to the colours of the rainbow A Dozen Touches Use touch to explore your environment Smelly Pots Create a smell sensation fit for a mini beast Sound Maps Take a moment to listen to the magical sounds of Attenborough Make a collection of natural objects e.g. pine cones, pebbles, feathers. Feel them and develop vocabulary to describe them rough, smooth, soft, silky Take photos of locations in the school or school grounds, perhaps close ups or from unusual angles. Can the children go out and identify them? Draw a simple sketch map of the school grounds. Provide pictures/clues/jigsaw pieces for the children to find. Collect texture vocabulary and use in creative writing.
Terrific Trees Key Stage 1 Aim of session: To find out more about trees and woodland creatures. To recognise the main parts of a tree. To appreciate the variety of trees. To understand the importance of trees as a habitat. To know that different creatures rely on trees. Sounds of the Wood. Listen carefully-what can you hear? Meet a Tree Explore your favourite tree from a different perspective Woodland Mini beast Hunt Use paintbrushes & bug boxes to look for mini beasts under logs Woodland Mini beast sculpture Make a sculpture of a favourite mini beast using twigs, stones etc. Look at trees in the school grounds/pictures of trees. Identify the root, stem, trunk, branches, twigs and leaves. Find out about the birds and creatures who might live in trees Talk to the children about showing respect for the plants and creatures that live in a wood Make some leaf rubbings or prints of trees in your school grounds. Look at the shapes and sizes of different types of leaves. Find out the names of some trees. Plant an acorn
Wonderful Wildfowl Key Stage 1 Aim of session: To recognise the differences between the ducks, geese and swans that live on water. To observe, record and identify ducks, geese and swans To look at the adaptations of wildfowl To find out how wildfowl survive, feed, breed and their life cycles To be safe near water To show respect for wildlife Stella the Swan Follow the Stella the Swan story trail to find out more about ducks, geese and swans. Observations of Wildfowl Use binoculars to observe birds Record using a tick sheet Good Weather for Ducks Discover what adaptations wildfowl have as we put ourselves in their webbed feet Look at pictures of ducks, geese and swans. Explain that they are all water birds. Look at a picture of a duck s webbed foot and discuss how this is useful for swimming. Look closely at a duck s feather and talk about why it is so important for feathers to be waterproof. Draw or paint a picture of a duck, goose or swan and label the key features. Make a class collage of a pond or lake with water birds and vegetation.
Available in Spring Brilliant Birds (Spring) Key Stage 1 Aim of session: to discover the smaller birds which live in our local habitat and may live in your school grounds too. To begin to identify birds To begin to understand how birds communicate Simple food chains and life cycles Sounds of the Wood Listen carefully, what can you hear? Life Cycle Game Build a nest Use natural materials to create your own nest. Hungry Chick game Can you collect enough food to feed your family? Look at pictures of garden birds that the children are likely to see loc ally and find out their names (RSPB website is very useful) also Wildlife Watch Spotter sheets. Listen to different bird songs Make some simple food chains Why not set up a bird feeding station in your school grounds?
Available October to March Brilliant Birds (Winter) Key Stage 1 Aim of session: to discover the smaller birds which live in our local habitat and may live in your school grounds too. To begin to identify birds To begin to understand how birds communicate Observe the bird feeding station Find out which birds are attracted to our bird feeding station and what they like to eat Hot Chick Challenge Make a bird roost and see if your bird can survive the night by keeping warm Hungry Chick Game Can you find enough food to survive? Bird Food Bonanza Make a simple bird feeder to take back to school Look at pictures of garden birds that the children are likely to see loc ally and find out their names (RSPB website is very useful) Listen to different bird songs Make some simple food chains Why not set up a bird feeding station in your school grounds?
Life in Water Key Stage 1 Available from April until October Aim of session: to investigate the small creatures that live in ponds and how they are adapted to survive there. Collect and record fresh water invertebrates Identify different categories of mini beasts Develop understanding of adaptation Learn about simple life cycles and food chains To treat all creatures with respect Build a pond activity. Introduction of pond mini habitats and mini beasts Pond dipping - collection of mini beasts using nets Investigation of finds - a closer look at mini beasts using pond magnifiers and tick sheets Life cycle role play - Learn about simple water life cycles Discuss which creatures live in a pond and the life cycles of some of these creatures. Talk to the children about pond dipping and how they need to look really carefully to see everything. Discuss pond safety and why it is important to listen and be safe around the water s edge. Think about what we need to survive. Use pictures of different creatures to think about what creatures eat, how they move and where they live. Do more work on food chains and think about linking pictures with string to show what eats what.
Available from April to September Plantastic Key Stage 1 Aim of session: To learn about the parts of a plant, a plant life cycle and to develop an awareness of the variety of flowers. To appreciate the diversity of flowering plants in terms of shape and colour To learn about plant reproduction and the relationship with insects To learn about simple plant life cycles To identify the parts of a plant. Flower Spotting Discover the amazing diversity of flower colour and shape Be a Bee Game Find out why bees like flowers and flowers like bees Seed Game Play this fun game to discover the needs of seeds. Provide the opportunity to grow some seeds and talk about the names and functions of each part of the plant Look at different packets of seeds what do they need to grow? Design and make flowers, create a collage of a wildflower meadow. Add insects, bees, butterflies. Why not create a mini meadow as part of the school grounds or grow some bee friendly plants? Make a sequencing activity to show the life cycles of different plants
Woodland Symphony Key Stage 1 Aim of session: To use natural materials to explore different sounds and to make musical instruments and perform as a group. To listen with concentration To create musical patterns To play un-tuned instruments To explore how sounds can be made in different ways To perform simple rhythms and keep time with others What sounds can they hear in the wood? Which are natural: birds, wind Which are manmade: lorries Woodland Scavenger hunt. With an adult, explore sounds in the wood, tapping sticks, rustling leaves Use natural and recycled materials to make own musical instrument. As a group perform a song/group activity using their instrument Experiment with playing different rhythms, copy a pattern and make up your own. Make your own instrument from recycled materials to make a rain maker or drum. Use your instruments to create a tune or to tell a story which could be performed in assembly Why not make a musical washing line for your school?
Available April to October Marvellous Meadows Key Stage 1 Aim of session: To recognise different plants and mini beasts in a meadow habitat. To identify different types of habitat To observe and identify mini beasts To treat animals and the environment with care and sensitivity To know that flowering plants produce seeds To know that seeds produce new plants Flower Spotting Use a tick sheet to record different colours and shapes of flowers Be a Bee Game Team game to show the importance of bees in pollination Mini beast Hunt Use bug pots and paint brushes, trays and sticks to search for mini beasts. Try to identify some habitats within the school grounds e.g. playing field, hedge, tree. Talk to the group about what a mini beast is and where they might find them. Discuss how the children need to handle mini beasts very carefully to avoid damaging them. Look at different plants and their seeds, reinforce the importance of bees as pollinators. Why not aside an area of the school garden to grow bee friendly plants? Make a mini beast hotel (hibernaculum) to encourage mini beasts into your school grounds.
Meet the Rotters Key Stage 1 Aim of session: To learn more about compost To find out how compost is made Introduction What is compost made from? Compost Tig Game to demonstrate that compost needs heat, mini beasts, water and air Investigating Compost Use magnifying glasses to get up close to compost and observe what it is made from Plant a Seed Use some compost to plant a seed to take home Talk to the children about what things can be recycled. Set up an investigation bury some things in soil to see what happens to them over a week or so. e.g. banana skin, paper, plastic bottle. Talk about how natural things decay back into the soil and help to improve it. Set up a compost bin at school. Find out about what a successful compost bin needs: layers of brown and green material, warmth, air, small pieces