EXPLORERS!
Year 3 have been fortunate to be given the experience of grappling alongside 2 outdoor education explorers specialists this term, Amy and Ali, to compliment our EXPLORERS and ADVENTURERS theme based learning. The unit will take us through the geographical knowledge of map and atlas work, compass directions as well as the historical aspects of key explorers and their motives to adventure. Within this unit, the children will also be experiencing designing and making an outdoor learning space, archery and orienteering, and culminating in a expedition around Men-an-Tol.
DAY 1
The morning started with team building, as we need to build trust and energy amongst a team of explorers. We were also lucky enough to receive our gift of a compass each from Ali and Amy, and played compass games to ensure we understand the meanings of what compass directions are and why they are important. The 4 key British explorers were introduced through ‘Pin the explorer on the Map’! The knowledge and facts of Anthony Jinman, Mary Kingsley, Captain Scott and Captain Cook started flowing, learning of the trials and tribulations of their voyages and their often tragic adventures and … endings!
The outdoor classroom needed to get underway after lunch, so we searched for a suitable site and measured out using trundle wheels the circumference. So had so many ideas about tunnels, pods, shapes and sizes, we then needed to get these designs down on paper, for Ali and Amy to judge which ones would be combined to make the most effective outdoor learning classroom.
DAY 2
Our wellies were ready and we had the tools … so the day was spent building our Ultimate Outdoor Classroom. Amy and Ali had deliberated over designs and chose Bliss’ design for the outdoor classroom with elements of Toby’s and other designs too . With tunnels reaching into an inner circle, we were ready to start THE BIG BUILD! We learnt that willow will be used for the structure as its roots will start growing into the ground that we plant it and branches will start shooting off once the water seeps into its roots. We were fascinated at how versatile and bendy willow is!! Using a spike and mallet we dug holes into the ground to plant the willow. It was so much fun, not only the digging but getting dirty – it was hard work but worth it. By the end of the day we had planted more than 300 pieces of willow and the structure was taking place. We used our Numeracy a lot throughout the day – with problem solving and Shape and Measure as we had to tie the willow together in diamond shapes to secure it! A tiring day but well worth it when we got to go up and weave in and out of the tunnels in our new outdoor classroom.
Following the class 1 outdoor classroom build it was class 2′s job to finish off the structure. We also learnt how to plant and weave the amazing willow as the winter sun shone down on us. The pods surrounding the central circle were constructed, as were the entrances that were made clear and secure in the ground. The structure took shape as an inspiring outdoor learning space with separate rooms for small groups and a main circular room for whole class experiences. At the end of our day we were all astounded that so much had been completed in two days and were excited to hear that as it grows the 400 withies will attract wildlife such as ladybirds, aphids and birds to our school grounds. The final result is stunning and we are all eager to have our first lesson in our special outdoor space.
DAY 3
Wow what an amazing day! Our day began with a lesson in how to draw and orientate a map by mapping out objects onto page rather than places. Next we learned how to read a map and through problem solving how to locate certain destinations. The mizzley Cornish weather did not deter the year 3 map-readers as they speedily and efficiently answered all the explorer anagrams by locating clues and letters on a grid through map reading. Later in the day our skills were increased and developed further until we were able to complete a real orienteering activity, searching for flags, collecting stamps on our way. Today was a jam-packed day which has resulted in Ali and Amy announcing that were are now fully qualified at orienteering!
DAY 4
This week the year 3′s had archery on their explorer day. We got into groups and went up to the cage. We were given a bow and arrow. We had to place the arrow onto the bow and fire. Each one of the circles had a number on it and if you fired on a 6 then you won different things that explorers use. After that Ali and the team put up balloons that you had to try and pop with your bow and arrow. Inside the balloons were clues leading you to find a prize. Finally we worked out that the prize was in the willow dome and we ran up there to find magnets which we all had as a prize.
Written by Kitty, Class 2.
DAY 5
Year 3 became explorers themselves today in their exploration of the St Ives Library. Following the stunning walk from our school, overlooking the St Ives harbour, each group were given the chance to re-use their orientation skills by following a plan of the Library. The challenge was to investigate where different images and fact files of explorers were in the library building – identifying the location on their maps. Time was also given to read through the amazing collection of explorer themed books in the library and for the children to imagine that they were explorers themselves and wrote a postcard home describing what they felt and saw.
Back in school we learned about the flags explorers used to sign post their discoveries and designed and made their own flags to use in our exploration next week on the Cornish moors!
DAY 6
What an adventure to end our Explorers learning! Ali, Amy and the team lead 50 excitable year 3 explorers, over the moors of Penwith, putting all the skills learn over the last 6 weeks into practice. On Wednesday 8th February 2012, we boarded the coach to the destination, only known by our leaders. We had packed our bags thoughtfully, and were prepared for all eventualities. The weather was our hardest opponent, causing us to wrap up warm, and really testing our TEAM work. In sub-zero temperatures, we hiked past frozen muddy puddles and beautiful frost on the surrounding fields.
Our first stop was Men an Tol, three totally unique ‘holed stone’. We attempted to go through the hole 7 times without touching it, for our wishes to come true. We also used this spot, as explorers would have done when making a base, to look at the natural surroundings. We tried to see if we could find an organism that had never been discovered before. Using the natural juices from the plants around us, we created landscape pictures.
We quickly moved on, not wanting to experience frostbite, and hiked up to Nine Maidens. On the way, we collected things to put on our story sticks, to make emotional connections with the day’s exploration. Nine Maidens was the most exposed part of our trip, and also, where we were to have our picnics. The shelters came out, and provided toasty restaurants for our explorers, providing warmth for our fingers and toes to defrost.
Our exploration was nowhere near over. Our aim was now to reach the highest point of Penwith, Westcroft – a challenge we were unsure we would complete. But, with teamwork in full force, and our flags flying, our determination took over, and soon, we were true explorers, conquering our destination.
The day is memorable for so many different reasons, not only the extreme temperatures experienced! Just ask any one of us, and find out more!
Thank you, as always, go to Ali, Amy and the team of explorers which are left our explorers thirsty for knowledge and keen to develop their geographic skills.
Do we have the future Anthony Jinman in our midst?
WOW! What a packed 2 days year 3 have had. It sounds really cool and i bet the year 3′s have worked very hard! Well done year 3.
2 jam-packed days!! Year 3 are really lucky. I hope you all had fun.
I loved doing all the activities. What I most of all loved, is making the outdoor classroom.
Wow! It looked like a lot of fun.
The willow garden sculpture / house looks very exciting and very well made. It will be amazing when it has grown leaves in the summer.
i loved the year 3 trip it was so cool and so cold but fun at the same time