Emma's educational round-up
A weekly/fortnightly insight into developments within the realm of education.
My recommendations
Website
Being located in the south west of England, I was keen to learn more about the new Western Forest that is planned. This will span Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bristol and Somerset and include the planting of 2 500 hectares of woodland and 20 million trees by 2050, supporting the Government's net zero ambitions and fostering collaboration between local communities, businesses and landowners to drive nature recovery.
Read more about it here: https://www.wenp.org.uk/priority-programmes/western-forest
I imagine there will be opportunities for schools to become involved and educational resources produced alongside this project in due course. Watch this space!
Resource
The Geographical Association and Field Studies Council have been collaborating on some spiralised fieldwork resources. These are divided into two strands, techniques and themes. It is still very much work in progress, with the aim of having five or six sets of resources linked to techniques and the same for themes eventually. Do take a look at what is there already as they are really creative and clearly exemplify progression from EYFS to KS5 (the resources are open access, so you do not have to be a Geographical Association member to view and download them). I have gained inspiration for work with pupils and teachers at North Nibley C of E Primary School in Gloucestershire in early June; they have just discovered that a Frederick Soddy Trust Award application which we submitted together was successful. An example linked to ‘asking questions’ can be found here: https://geography.org.uk/resources/carrying-out-questioning-techniques
Book
The Greatest Stuff on Earth by Steve Tomecek
A fascinating, recently published, non-fiction book suitable for 8 years and over, which has plenty of geographical links.
Have you ever stopped to think about all the stuff you encounter every day? There’s the stuff you breathe, the stuff you eat, the stuff you wear, the stuff you read, the stuff you walk on, the stuff you ride in, the stuff your body is made of… plus water, trees, sunlight, soap, electricity, vaccines, smartphones, and so much more! In The Greatest Stuff on Earth, Steve Tomecek and John Devolle show us how this stuff works, including the miracle of transforming energy into matter and matter into energy. Stars do it…and also internal combustion engines…and living things, including grass and bacteria and worms and cheetahs and even us humans.
With contagiously enthusiastic and chatty explanatory text, fast facts, and clever, stylish and sometimes funny photos, illustrations, and diagrams, this fantastically browsable book offers hundreds of entry points for knowledge-hungry kids.
Steve holds a degree in Geology and has 30 years’ experience educating children (and their teachers) about science in a super fun, friendly way – as a writer, a radio and television presenter, and a live performer. He’s the perfect person to introduce kids to the inner workings of the material world.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Greatest-Stuff-Earth-smartphones-between/dp/1804661414
Podcast
Constant Wonder Kids
There is also a junior version of the podcast Constant Wonder, which explores the world around us. Episodes in the latest series have a degree of overlap with geography, e.g. Arctic Explorer (27.01.2025) … worth exploring and having a listen: https://www.byuradio.org/constant-wonder-kids
TV programme/movie clip
Many people have been talking about Bruce Parry’s Tribe. In the first episode, Bruce travels deep into the Colombian Amazon to meet the Waimaha. They live successfully in this remote region thanks to their connection to the rainforest around them. One for yourselves to watch and show a short clip/image to pupils, perhaps? N.B. The programme does come with a ‘contains upsetting scenes’ warning so you will need to be selective about any content shown.
App
TiCL: https://ticl.me/ticlapp
This app is described as ‘an exciting new way to FIND and COMMENT ON things around you’.
The Tree Council suggest creating a #TreeTrail near you: https://treecouncil.org.uk/tree-trial/
It is also given a mention in the Geographical Association and Field Study Council’s latest spiralising fieldwork resources (Fieldwork involving woodland and trees KS2): https://geography.org.uk/resources/fieldwork-involving-trees-and-woodland-ks2/
As a class, create a guided tour or treasure hunt of the different trees that pupils have investigated, using images, QR code information and a map with instructions. This could be done using the Tree Council’s tree trail app Create a #TreeTrail near you – TiCL – The Tree Council. Perhaps parents could be invited to take the tour as part of an open morning.
‘Geography in the News’ item
It is worth following @lavashowiceland on TikTok to find out the latest regarding volcanic activity on Iceland: https://www.tiktok.com/@lavashowiceland … hear and see it from those living there.
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CPD event
Details about the third Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting of this academic year have been released (with input from Mark Enser, former National Geography Lead for Ofsted and an HMI and now working in school support, who will talk about how to quality assure geography by focusing on the key principles for a successful curriculum). Places are limited, so make sure you reserve a space swiftly!
Competition
Royal Mint Museum
The Royal Mint Museum’s annual short story competition is back and some great prizes are on offer. Pupils aged 8 to 11 years are requested to submit a story of no more than 500 words based around the theme of ‘sustainable futures’. The Royal Mint wishes to move towards more sustainable practices and is keen for this idea to inspire youngster’s stories. Michaela Strachan, BAFTA award-winning television presenter and author, will be judging entries, which need to be submitted by Friday 25th April 2025.
Further details can be found here: https://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/learning/short-story-competition/
Opportunity for pupils
A virtual experience offered by Step into the Amazon:
Hope the above provides some inspiration and saves you time. Do let me know if you make use of any of the recommendations; I do love to hear about, and see evidence of, pupils in action both in and beyond the classroom.
Have an enjoyable Easter break if you are finishing school this week.
Emma Espley