All posts tagged with ‘scottish culture’
- August 2nd, 2011
New resources on outdoor learning
- imenzies
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: community, nature, resources, scottish culture
: Categories biodiversity, community, early years, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, mathematics, outdoor learning, primary schools, sciences, scottish culture, secondary schools, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development
The following new resources on outdoor learning have recently been added to the Education Scotland website.
These case studies highlight a number of different examples of the way that woodland environments can provide a rich resource and context for learning.
Lady of the Lake: A Literacy and Outdoor Learning Transition Project
This project was a partnership approach to an innovative transition process, involving the 14 feeder primaries to McLaren High, Stirling. This incorporated outdoor learning and collaboration with local artists to inspire creative works, just as Sir Walter Scott took inspiration from the landscape of the Trossachs 200 years ago to write the epic poem ‘The Lady of the Lake’. The resultant process and outcomes supported many aspects of literacy across learning.
In June 2010, 130 young people from Upper Deeside started working with local and national archaeology groups on what is thought to be the largest schools archaeology project of its kind in Scotland.
The project took place within the Cairngorms National Park, an area with a unique natural and cultural heritage, where the impacts of anthropogenic climate change are becoming a reality. The project aimed to involve young people in exploring these impacts, through the medium of film, and to identify opportunities and consider adaptations to climate change. This was an interdisciplinary project that allowed pupils to make connections between their learning in school and the world outside.
Working in partnership with Grounds for Learning, Education Scotland have developed a series of short video clips supporting various ways in which school grounds can be used and developed to support the Curriculum for Excellence. Scroll down the page to select from clips such as Messy Outdoors Maths, The Creative Spark in Literacy, Nature’s Playground and Fire as a Context for Learning.
More- July 29th, 2011
Election fever: developing young politicians in primary school!
- kmayer
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, democracy, enterprise, learner voice, scottish culture
: Categories citizenship, primary schools, scottish culture, social studies
At Mearns Primary the election fever topic looks at election processes, the Scottish parliament and is run as an enterprise topic. Pupils work in teams to run an election campaign and undertook the following:
• Through discussion and activities the children realised the importance of a leader to organisation and decision making capabilities
• Pupils discussed what qualities a leader (a candidate) should have. For this the children used a resource called ‘Ideas Trail’, to sort their ideas and arrive at important qualities. This allowed them to structure their discussion and rate their final choices.
• Pupils had opportunity to think as to whether they had these qualities or indeed whether they could develop these qualities and propose themselves as a candidate.
• Candidates then had to write a manifesto, whilst those not applying had to write a similar script on what they would like to be changed in the school/classroom.
• A mini secret ballot was then initiated and 4 candidates chosen to run for election. The other children in the class were assigned to work for a candidate and they were to choose a logo a party name and a slogan.
• On the day of voting children were given specific roles: Presiding Officer, Polling Agent, Counting Agent and Tellers.
• The winning candidate then made a speech and gave thanks to their supporters and support team. A considerable effort was made to ensure ballot was as realistic as possible by making a ballot box, voting booth, using name cards, high visibility vests etc.
• Pupils are also given an additional activity where they are given the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer. We watch a video of the Budget and the children are given a fictional amount of money and they have to decide how they are going to spend it e.g. Education, Armed Services, Health etc. The class then have a debate about how the money is spent and get to see that people from different perspectives have very different opinions.
- May 2nd, 2011
Scottish Heritage
- nickmorgan
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: scottish culture
: Categories citizenship, scottish culture
A core part of being a global citizen is a knowledge of your own heritage and culture. ‘World Heritage Day 2011′ was celebrated in April, and many Scots took part in events to enjoy aspects of the rich historic and contemporary cultures of Scotland.
The ‘Shadows of our Ancestors’ project highlighted the significance of the five locations identified by UNESCO as ‘World Heritage Sites’ of international importance. New Lanark is one of our five Scottish sites, and its staff organised a special event to mark the occasion with students. An article in The Guardian reported on celebrations in Edinburgh in the historic Old Town.
During May 2011 Scotland’s museums will be taking part in the ‘Festival of Museums’, offering the public a range of additional events which highlight aspects of our culture, arts and history. The festival website lists local events.
National organisations such as Historic Scotland run learning activities and educational visits throughout the year, and teachers and students also have access to resources like the Scottish Screen Archive which illuminate Scottish history through photographs and moving images.
More- October 22nd, 2010
Scottish Culture and Education
- nickmorgan
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: scottish culture
: Categories citizenship
November 30th is the date of the annual commemoration of Saint Andrew’s Day. As part of the celebrations for 2010, the Scottish Government has launched a poster competition for young people in primary and secondary schools and early years centres. The theme is Scotland’s Food and Drink, a topic for which many Scots show a keen interest. Young people are invited to interpret that theme through the creation of a poster. A leaflet giving full details can be downloaded from the Scottish Government website, and the closing date for entries is 12th November.
Learning and Teaching Scotland has developed many resources to support teachers as they encourage a greater knowledge and awareness of Scottish identity among learners. A new webpage to support school celebration of St Andrew’s Day will include an interactive map to show communities where local activity is taking place.
And the latest issue of the magazine of the General Teaching Council for Scotland has a feature based around a panel discussion on the role of Scottish culture in the modern classroom.
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