New teaching resource helps children learn in the ‘great outdoors’.
December 4th 2007
Development Officer, Iain Porter, of the AONB service
looks at new web site with local school children
The Quantock Hills AONB service has just launched two new educational resources to help children learn more about their local landscape.
Aimed at 7-11 year olds in key stage 2, the AONB service have produced seven teaching packs based on special sites around the Quantock Hills alongside a comprehensive new educational website www.quantockeducation.info .
Teachers and the web developer
try to get a look in
The launch was held on 4th December at Nether Stowey Library and was attended by children and teachers from Lydeard St Lawrence and Nether Stowey Primary schools. Also in attendance were educationalists and others involved in the development of the project. The children listened attentively to a presentation, and were then given opportunity to explore the new web site, whilst teachers pored over the printed resources. The children then demonstrated the site to their teachers.
The teachers packs cover 7 specific areas in the Quantock Hills, and provide teachers with lesson plans, activities and worksheets that can be used across a variety of subjects from Science to Geography helping students make the connection between the classroom and their local surroundings.
The packs were developed by teachers in the local area, alongside the Quantock Hills AONB Service. Specially organised training days were held to road test the packs and obtain feedback from other teachers.
Iain Porter, Development Officer for the Quantock Hills AONB Service says:
“These Quantock based resources aim to provide local schools with the confidence and ability to use the special beauty of this protected landscape as a learning tool and the project forms an intricate part of the schools outdoor classroom initiative which is an example of the best practice recently identified by Government in respect of lifelong learning.”
The packs will be distributed to schools in the area and are also be available on the Quantock Education website.
