Woodlands Words and Wonders a Tremendous Success

20/09/2012
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Over 1400 school children from sixty five schools across Perth and Kinross have taken part in a unique outdoor learning experience.

The innovative Woodlands Words and Wonder project, created by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) centred on local plant collector David Douglas, who introduced over 200 new plant species to Europe in the early 19th century.

Aimed at P4-P7, the project involved classes in a full day of excitement and adventure. Children were met at the school by ‘Henny’ – professional storyteller – who led them on a nature walk to the tipi in the woods. Here the children gathered round a campfire and listened to a series of stories from characters in costume about the adventures of David Douglas and his Native American guide ‘Running Fox’ in the American wilderness.

Primed by Douglas’s exciting tales of plant collecting expeditions and demonstrations of survival skills from Running Fox, the children then spent an hour out in the woods in the company of one of the characters on their own wildlife expedition.

The day came to a close with the children creating their own stories incorporating something of their day’s discoveries and experiences before gathering in the tipi to share their tales.

Paul McLennan, Manager, PKCT commented: “The main aim of the project has been to foster connections between schools and their local woodlands to facilitate the idea of an outdoor classroom that can be used at any time. We have taken the children out in all weathers and the feedback from them has been consistently positive.”

Kirsty Scott, Promotion and Awareness Officer, PKCT added: “We have been really encouraged by how many schools have been inspired by the project to use their local woodland as an outdoor classroom on a more regular basis. To assist teachers further, PKCT worked in partnership working with the outdoor learning team at Perth & Kinross Council to offer two CPD (Continuous Professional Development) training sessions for teachers entitled ‘Using Woodlands for Outdoor Learning.’ The training helped teachers develop confidence in teaching in the outdoors and provided experience in a variety of practical activities and ideas that could be used as a stimulus for learning across the curriculum. The sessions included literacy, numeracy and creative use of woodlands.”

A teaching resource pack created to complement the project has been developed with very clear links to the Curriculum for Excellence. This has been distributed to all schools throughout Perth & Kinross and is also available on the Big Tree Country website – www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk.

Woodlands, Words & Wonders was delivered free to schools thanks to a Forests for People grant from Forestry Commission Scotland and funding by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust.

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