Archive for November, 2011
- November 8th, 2011
Pupils urged to get creative for conservation
- imenzies
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: nature
: Categories biodiversity, outdoor learning, scottish culture, sustainable development
http://www.nts.org.uk/designcompetition
Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland is asking secondary schools pupils to design an interactive, environmentally-themed game to take out on the road next summer.
The Trust launched its competition at Ben Lomond near Drymen, Scotland’s most southerly Munro. Ben Lomond is one of the most popular mountains in Scotland, with around 30,000 walkers of all ages visiting it each year. Helping Trust staff at the launch were pupils from Drymen Primary, who were photographed doing their best to try and figure out some initial ideas.
The Ben Lomond Design Competition challenges teams of pupils to invent a portable, interactive game which is easy to set up and explain, is fun for all ages and which highlights how we need to conserve our environment.
The Trust hopes that the new family activity will raise awareness of its work to care for Scotland’s countryside and wildlife.
There are a range of prizes on offer, including Amazon vouchers for school equipment, iTunes vouchers and of course, the winning entry will be used week-in week-out by the Ben Lomond team on their travels.
For full information and an entry pack visit: http://www.nts.org.uk/designcompetition
More- November 7th, 2011
Dynamic Youth Awards and Eco-Schools
- imenzies
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: news, resources
: Categories biodiversity, community, outdoor learning, renewables and climate change, sustainable development
Accrediting the achievements of individual Eco Committee members
Youth Scotland have worked together with Eco-Schools Scotland to produce a booklet designed to support members of a school’s Eco Committee to receive accreditation for their individual achievements. Young people complete the relevant sections of their booklet as they work through the Eco-Schools programme. The booklet has two aims: (1) to support young people to collect evidence which will be used for them to gain a Dynamic Youth Award, and (2) to strengthen the Eco Committee’s work towards Eco-Schools’ targets. The individuals receive a Dynamic Youth Award, which recognises the responsibility level they took as well as their achievements.
Schools wishing to use the booklets should email: [email protected]. There is further information at: http://www.youthscotland.org.uk/projects/dynamic-youth/understanding-the-award/eco-committees.htm
More- November 7th, 2011
New Outdoor Learning Resources
- imenzies
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, nature, resources, school improvement
: Categories CPD, outdoor learning, sustainable development
Building your Curriculum: Outside and In
As an active and productive pedagogy, outdoor learning is an integral part of good practice within learning and teaching. Planning for regular, frequent learning outdoors ensures that progressive and sustainable outdoor learning opportunities are embedded in the curriculum and that they form a central part of the vision and ethos of the school or centre.
Building your Curriculum: Outside and In supports a strategic approach to the development of outdoor learning and provides a framework and process for collaborative planning and review. Click here to view resource.
Outdoor Learning: Practical guidance, ideas and support for teachers and practitioners in Scotland
This resource provides practical, accessible and straightforward advice on how to engage children and young people with learning outdoors. It incorporates ideas for organising learning in the outdoors, for making connections across the curriculum and for planning within curriculum areas. It also includes a CPD framework and supporting materials.
More- November 6th, 2011
Global citizenship champion wins UK Teacher Award
- imenzies
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: school improvement
: Categories citizenship, primary schools, sharing practice, sustainable development
Christine Emmett, an inspiring global citizenship champion from St Elizabeth’s Primary School in Hamilton has won the UK Teacher of the Year Award.
She won the category of Best UK Teacher, beating thousands of nominations from all over the country following her success earlier in the year when she was voted top in the Scottish Teacher of the Year awards. She said that winning the Scottish Teacher of the Year bowled her over but winning the UK award was way beyond her expectations.
Christine said: “I am absolutely thrilled with this award and am stunned and surprised to have won and I am truly humbled. I feel that this is for all the staff and pupils at St Elizabeth’s Primary School and although this has been a fantastic experience I am keen to get back into the classroom and show the trophy off.”
She was nominated by her pupils who admire and respect her, think she is great and really enjoy learning with her. A pupil from P5/6 who she taught last year nominated her for being ‘the best teacher ever’.
She may have been teaching for more than 25 years but her enthusiasm, energy and appetite to inspire young children never wanes. UK judges found her big personality and profound influence runs ‘like a golden thread’ through everything that happens at St Elizabeth’s.
The judging panel agreed that she captivates children’s interest ‘like a pied piper’ and is adept at involving the community, for example a car salesman and cake shop owner help out with practical maths. Even snow on the playground is a teaching resource for Christine!
Councillor Mary Smith, the chair of the council’s Education Resources Committee, said: “Christine is a great role model for not only her pupils but for teachers, families and friends in the local community.
“Her enthusiasm for children and learning shines through in the classroom where she is most at home. Although she is very modest and humble she undoubtedly deserves this brilliant accolade. Well done Christine, we are all very proud of your achievement.”
Christine also speaks Scots and Spanish fluently in her P3/4 class and has long-held passions for green issues and fair trade. At her instigation the school has more than 20 partnerships with local businesses from St Andrew’s Hospice to Lanarkshire TV.
All of these things were taken into consideration as judges chose Christine who received her award from legendary fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood at a glittering ceremony in London hosted by Lenny Henry MBE at the weekend.
And in typical fashion Christine made arrangements to ensure that she could get back to her class as soon as possible to do what she loves best - teaching.
Larry Forde, the council’s Executive Director of Education Resources, said: “This award is very well deserved - Christine is an enthusiastic and dedicated professional. She has an infectious personality, motivating everyone around her as she works tirelessly to make the lessons interesting and fun for pupils.
“She really brings learning to life and is an inspiration in every sense of the word. Colleagues and friends across South Lanarkshire are delighted and proud of Christine’s achievement. I know there will be great celebrations at St Elizabeth’s Primary School when Christine returns from London.”
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