Published by Alix Marschani on 16th November 2019 at 6:21 pm | No Comments
I was invited this past week to visit a nursery class set in a state maintained school in the home counties. The nursery teacher told me she uses ‘the theory of loose parts’ as a stimulus for children’s learning alongside the EYFS curriculum. She wanted to bounce some ideas and share her nursery practice. What […]
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Published by Alix Marschani on 11th November 2019 at 8:11 am | No Comments
Year 5 got to grips with two essential rope knots: the clove hitch and the timber hitch. They watched the demonstration in disbelief that this could be achieved because many struggle to tie their own laces. Hearing that a knot should be able to be undone easily set the standard we were aiming for. Working […]
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Published by Alix Marschani on 10th November 2019 at 8:17 am | No Comments
The Wildlife Trusts commissioned UCL to evaluate the possible effects of nature activities upon 450 children aged between 8 – 9 years old. It will come as no surprise to read that the findings were positive. Here is a summary: 90% of children felt they learned something new about the natural world 79% felt that […]
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Published by Alix Marschani on 4th November 2019 at 9:01 am | No Comments
A really fun way to get children thinking about seed dispersal. Very few seeds actually survive in the ground during winter as only 1% is said to make it to spring. This is where the seed bomb can help. What is a seed bomb? Seeds are contained in organic matter, namely potting compost and clay, […]
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Published by Alix Marschani on 27th October 2019 at 2:06 pm | 1 Comment
This term Y3 have been exploring the beliefs and practices to explain how symbolic actions communicate meaning. We looked at two major world faiths: Christianity and Islam. We have been learning about the practices and ritual found in both faiths. Both religions have a recognisable symbol, and we drew this on the ground outside. Natural […]
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Published by Alix Marschani on 21st October 2019 at 2:46 pm | No Comments
Riverside Rascals invited me to visit their outdoor daycare setting which they neatly described as ‘one of a kind’. It is located in a nature reserve close to the Ivel Springs in Baldock. The setting caters for about nine children up to three years old. When I arrived the children were just having an afternoon […]
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Published by Alix Marschani on 21st October 2019 at 9:09 am | No Comments
Following our litter-pick and nature walk we collected a few natural items to recreate our own nature thoughts onto a dream catcher. Using coloured wools to weave a web, adding bits such as acorns, leaves, bark and ribbon, we retraced our journeys from outdoors. They all looked different as there was no ‘right’ or […]
Read MoreTeacher of young children enchanted by the natural world, inspiring educators to bring nature into the curriculum.
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