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

Composting

May 10, 2021 | Gardening, Science Outdoors, Technologies

I visit a lot of schools who like the idea of a compost bin and have one, but in terms of really using it, are a little unsure about what they are doing. The trick is to prepare in advance. Composting is not a spur-of-the-moment activity for a supply teacher....

Backyard nature play

Jun 3, 2018 | Community Involvement, Nature Play & Learning

I love visiting different places for children to play. One space I’ve never blogged about has been backyards. Children can spend a lot of time in their garden or backyard and so making this a play-friendly space is a wonderful thing to do. This week I’ve...

Wee Green Fingers

Mar 14, 2017 | Early Years Outdoors, Gardening

For schools and pre-school settings wishing to increase biodiversity within their school grounds or outdoor space, then planting a wide range plants, shrubs and trees that benefit different wildlife helps. Biodiversity literally means diversity of life. Native flora...

How to Make a Seed Bomb

Apr 13, 2013 | Early Years Outdoors, Gardening, Science Outdoors, Technologies

In March I was facilitating a twilight workshop about gardening in the Early Years. Here in Aberdeen City, many practitioners work in settings where vandalism happens if anything is left outside, including children’s gardening efforts. So one of the things we do...

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...