Oct 31, 2022 | Maths Outdoors
Thank goodness for leaves! How would we learn our multiplication tables without them. “Hmm.” I hear you say. “I managed just fine, thank you very much.” Maybe so, but let’s face it. There’s a lot of rote learning to be done. We need...
Oct 24, 2022 | Maths Outdoors
The Tower of Hanoi is a maths puzzle that is traditionally completed on rods with wooden discs. Teacher Tom blogged about The Evolution of the Tree Part Toys and this reminded me of this puzzle, I have resorted to leaves which are abundant and colourful at this time...
Oct 23, 2022 | Maths Outdoors
With autumn here, now is the time to capitalise on the beauty and variety of leaves falling from the trees. Here is an activity that requires a bit of logical thinking and strategy.First all of ask each child to gather a few leaves from under a tree. It works best if...
Oct 22, 2022 | Early Years Outdoors, Maths Outdoors, Nature Play & Learning
One of the most memorable parts of the story, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, is when Billy Bones is presented with a black spot. One side is black, the other side bears a message. A pirate – particularly a Captain – who receives this in their...
Aug 8, 2022 | Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces, Maths Outdoors
At the Macquarie Lake Variety Playground, there is a performance space which is intriguingly mathematical. From a distance, it just looks like a wavy wall – cute in a wall-ish, playful sort of way. After all, walking along a wall is a popular activity and this...
Jul 4, 2022 | Maths Outdoors
When I googled “minibeast outdoor maths” and went on Pinterest to see the buzz, I was amazed and dazed at the variety of possibilities. However, on closer examination, I couldn’t see many outdoor maths activities. So I reckoned it was time to chip in from...
Mar 30, 2022 | Maths Outdoors
This is a very slick little maths challenge that can be easily differentiated. If your class are into minibeasts then challenge them to make a symmetrical stick insect. Begin by asking children to think about what makes an insect an insect? Highlight the different...
Jul 6, 2021 | Maths Outdoors, Social Subjects Outdoors
Scottish and Land Forestry manage Bennachie, a woodland close to where I live. This summer, a trail can be followed that takes you around the area of woodland needed to capture the annual carbon footprint of an average UK citizen. As you walk along, you encounter...
Nov 29, 2020 | Maths Outdoors
I love learning outside for many reasons, not least because I’m a seeker of “Divine Aha!” moments. This is when the light dawns or a spark of an idea catches alight and sets my mind on fire. This post was originally written in March 2012. At that...
Nov 7, 2020 | Maths Outdoors
Recently I was working in a local primary school exploring multiplication outside. We finished with an investigation using sticks (SK), stones (ST) and cones (CO). Multiplication, like most things in maths is all about looking for patterns and relationships. Once we...
Feb 19, 2020 | Art & Music Outdoors, Early Years Outdoors, Literacy Outdoors, Maths Outdoors
This week I’ve been presenting at the Aberdeenshire Council’s Early Years Conference. The theme has been Outdoor Literacy and my workshop focused on the natural art of mark making outside. However the process is easy enough for older primary children to...
Sep 2, 2018 | Literacy Outdoors, Maths Outdoors
Several years ago, a fellow educator, Amber Grohs on Twitter sent me a sketchnote she had created from reading the first few pages of the Loose Parts Play: A Toolkit document. Immediately I loved the layout, look and feel of her work. Sketchnoting is a process which...
Jun 24, 2018 | Early Years Outdoors, Literacy Outdoors, Maths Outdoors
It is very easy when considering how to embed literacy and maths into an outdoor space to plump for sticking up an alphabet, words and numbers outside in various forms from bunting to letters to expensive signage. However this approach is rarely effective at engaging...
Jan 10, 2018 | Early Years Outdoors, Maths Outdoors
For many years I’ve been experimenting with useful pocket-sized maths resources. Things have come in and gone out again, as I’ve refined, tested and adapted what works. What I’ve been aiming for is a small set of resources which enable me to support...
Nov 21, 2017 | Maths Outdoors
I’ve always used syringes for water play, mark making, as air pumps in technology projects and for having fun in the snow. I’ve always chosen the biggest syringes I could find – 100ml ones. But this set, a present from a friend, fuelled the...
Oct 15, 2017 | Maths Outdoors, Whole School
This guest blog post is courtesy of Crianlarich Primary School. Back in September, I had the privilege of working with the school for a morning to kickstart using their school grounds and local environment for raising attainment in maths. How would use this maths...
May 13, 2017 | Maths Outdoors
Subitising is the ability to look at a number of objects and know how many are there without the need to count each object. It is an important skill in terms of being a good maths thinker. The Scottish Government have produced benchmarks for early numeracy and...
May 5, 2017 | Early Years Outdoors, Maths Outdoors
One of the most memorable outdoor learning in-set training sessions I undertook was at Tyntesfield Primary. It was a lovely day and I was made to feel very welcome. They came up with the following very simple maths investigations which demonstrate nicely how teachers...
Oct 15, 2016 | Art & Music Outdoors, Early Years Outdoors, Maths Outdoors
One activity that is consistently popular with children and adults is masking tape art. During a recent outdoor training session, I realised the concept fitted rather well with exploring aspects of 2D shape. Each child needs a piece of calico cotton or old sheet....
Jul 6, 2016 | Maths Outdoors
Most schools in Scotland have now begun their holidays. Andrea Stevenson, has had an exceptionally busy term. She’s a Canadian teacher, who lives in Aberdeen and has undertaken maths consultancy work on behalf of Creative STAR whilst waiting for her GTCS...
