Archives | Creative STAR Learning | I'm a teacher, get me OUTSIDE here!

Using local materials and features in your playspace

Jul 31, 2011 | Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces, Play Resources

A few weeks ago I blogged about a presentation given by Rusty Keeler. I’m still reflecting on the ideas he suggested, in particular relating to the cultural traditions and heritage of a local area and thinking about this in relation to the school grounds and...

Give your Ugly Fence a Makeover

Jul 31, 2011 | Art & Music Outdoors

All over Scotland there are hideous fences that mark our boundaries and purport to keep our children safe. They are ugly. This post is a collection of ideas from a range of schools and ELC settings who have undertaken art projects to brighten up their fences. ...

Red Squirrels

Jul 27, 2011 | Nature Play & Learning

Ever since I was a child I have loved red squirrels. I grew up in a part of Britain where these furry mammals lived. When I was about nine years old, I remember visiting a friend of the family who had chanced upon an abandoned baby red squirrel and managed to rear it...

Making a pond from a tyre

Jul 23, 2011 | Gardening, Science Outdoors, Technologies

NOTE: This shows an example of a tyre pond. All ELC settings need to consider location, access and the need for a cover. This pond was in my back garden. Many years ago, I made a pond from an old tyre that had been sitting in my garden for more than a year. I happened...

Crime Prevention in School Grounds

Jul 20, 2011 | Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces

When planning to develop an outdoor playspace or school grounds, many practitioners are concerned about out of hours visitors and the possibility of vandalism to their area. Yuk! This graffiti isn’t even that arty! Last month, I listened to an interesting...