I’ve just uploaded a new document to share which I thought you may be interested in – ‘Step Outside!’ A 132 page Outdoor Learning Resource which I wrote a LOOOONNNNGGGG time ago in 2004!
You can download it for free as a set of PDFs on our ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ page.
I thought it was time to brush off the dust and put this pack out there again – it was originally created as part of a 2004 project funded by HLF inspiring Primary Schools to use their School grounds more. It was a partnership between Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk County Council’s Environmental and Outdoor Learning Team and Norwich 21. Gratitude to everyone who was part of this project and contributed to the co-creation of this pack. A particular shout out goes out to the super organised Nell Seal who without her much needed systematic thinking the pack would have never met it’s deadline!
As it was created in 2004 some of the links and information may now be out of date, and it is also worth acknowledging that the resource pack was designed to support general curriculum based Outdoor Learning (Reception to KS2) rather than Forest School. Despite this I believe that most of the activity ideas and information about developing school grounds is still a useful resource and could be adapted to fit into the play-based ethos of Forest School.
There are 12 outdoor learning activities to explore in total – 4 each for Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 under 4 different topics: Plants, Animals, Habitats, People and Nature. The third folder is full of practical ideas for developing school grounds and includes guidance on how to create a pond, plant a tree, make a bird box, compost etc