The dawn chorus is just starting and the first tadpoles are hatching. Spring is definitely here, so it's time to think about practical ways in which you can inspire your pupils about nature and the environment - and what better way to do it than to focus on ponds and the amazing life that lives in the water. This is the focus of this first ever Avon Wildlife Trust Schools e-newsletter.
If you would like to join our email list, send your email address to: schools@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk with JOIN in the subject field. The e-newsletter will be sent out twice each term, so please circulate it to colleagues who may find it useful.
In each issue of the e-newsletter we will provide links to tried and tested resources that you can use in the classroom or outside, just click the link to download a PDF for each activity.
Frog life cycle game
Engage children in the life story of frogs from spawn to adult and introduce concepts such as predation, all with lots of noise and fun.
Click here to download
Adopt a pond
Maybe there is a neglected pond in your school grounds, why not adopt it and make it better for wildlife.
Click here to download
Pond exploration
A whole series of activities including pond dipping, animal identification, as well as some simple games that can be played indoors.
Click here to download
Avon Wildlife Trust has over twenty years of experience of working with schoolchildren of all ages. Our educational programmes are designed to support specific areas of the national curriculum and are built around specific Key Stage targets. We offer three types of services for schools.
School trips
Visit either Folly Farm or Willsbridge Mill for an inspiring day of outdoor environmental education. Willsbridge is offering 'Splash in the Garden' at Foundation and Key Stage 1 - an exploration of a frog's life and pond dipping in some small safe ponds. At Key stage 2 Willsbridge offers 'Pond Magic' and Folly Farm offers 'Creatures of the Dark and Deep' - both are investigations of the minibeasts that lurk in the depths.
Both centres offer much more than pond-related activities and Folly Farm provides residential facilities too.
Click here for more details on Folly Farm
Click here for more details on Wilsbridge Mill
Environmental activity days
Our education experts can provide a full day of activities in your school, supporting science, maths, language, art or geography curriculum targets. Activities focus around either the school grounds or a nearby nature reserve and can include pond activities, trees and woodland work, art and earth education. Each day is tailor-made to your educational requirements.
Click here for more details
School grounds improvements
We can help turn your school grounds in to an educational resource for the whole school. We've built wildlife ponds, butterfly gardens and planted hedges, often involving children in the creation of a new area alive with wildlife.
Click here for more details
For more information email us at: schools@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk or call on 0117 917 7270
Contact
schools@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Tel: 0117 917 7270
Avon Wildlife Trust - Charity No. 280422