A year of supply teaching (Outdoors).

When I joined Perth and Kinross as a supply teacher I started off in the classroom covering classes for absent teachers, as is the norm. However, within a couple of months word got out and a headteacher I had trained in Forest School contacted me and asked if I would come to her school as a supply teacher, but take classes outside when covering. I jumped at the chance.

So here are some photos from my year. I have aimed to support and extend the learning that takes place in class. I therefore work closely with the class teacher or headteacher to determine each week what curriculum area or theme we wish to follow.

I have delivered the obvious! - phonics and language (imaginative and functional), Mathematics (Measurement, angles, weight, volume, capacity, symmetry, pattern & sequence), Health and wellbeing (a range of experiences and outcomes), plus a bit of general bushcraft. But the connected topic work has brought me the most satisfaction, and I believe, embedded the learning for many pupils putting theory into practice outside.

In Primary 1/2 we explored the books and life of Katie Morag- making boats to float in a large container of water, creating miniature islands and storytelling in a range of ways.

Primary 2/3 were exploring weather and so each week (sometimes with the weather being helpful, sometimes we created our own) we explored a weather condition. Week 1 - Wind - making wooden wind turbines and material wind socks, Week 2- rain and water- making rain gauges, making steam to catch a ‘cloud’ from a storm kettle, week 3 - Sun & Temperature - solid, liquid and gas with water, capturing the sun and how heat changed the properties of materials (by making salt dough on the fire and creating our own animal footprints- linked to a previous topic on animals.

In Primary 3/4 we explored the Drovers lives (by putting up temporary freestanding and supported shelters, making porridge on the fire, weaving rush mats and making ember bowls from the fire). We also tried to light a fire using a bow & drill (then resorted to a fire steel).

In Primary 4/5 with The Body as their topic we explored heart rate at rest and after activity, using our senses, testing our own strength with a focus on the hand and arm (hanging, holding heavy objects and dexterity/manipulation) and finally hand to eye co-ordination.

In Primary 6- The River. We made our own river system in a piece of guttering. Then, constructed boats to float on a visit to a river where we gathered data on the velocity of the river and drew river features. This also included gorge walking with outdoor pursuits instructors this week.

In Primary 7, we re-created elements of World War 1 and 2. On the WW1 day the children explored first aid and made a stretcher to carry an injured party off the field of battle, they then used morse code to communicate with one another, created a water filter and made pea soup on a fire. For WW2 we made a life-size Anderson shelter out of cardboard and LCVP boats from Balsa wood.

Now my year draws to a close with the children and staff. It has been a great journey so far and on the way we have developed the site ~(making 2 wild spaces planting trees and making planters), built up useful resources and trained other colleagues to take things forward. I hope to be back again next session. I will wait to see what we can get up to next year!!!