Outdoor Learning

2017 S6 Outdoor Learning Challenge

billstephen Bill Stephen, Curriculum For Excellence, Events, Outdoor Learning

IMAG0987The Outdoor Learning Challenge for S6 teams from all Secondary Schools will be held at Vogrie Country park on  the 29th  March 2017

As always an exiting that is a mixture of team  and journeying skills around the estate. Teams of 6 from all Secondary Schools can compete to win this years trophy in this amazing Outdoor Learning experience.

To register a team for the 2017 S6 Challenge – email outdoorlearning@midlothian.gov.uk

Information for DHT/S6 Year Heads click here

Click here for poster for S6 Pupils

Click here for team registration form

We will send out further information nearer this years  event. You can see images and results for last years event by clicking here

 Curriculum for Excellence & the S6 Challenge

The challenge enables teams to work effectively to achieve success on the varied challenges set up around the Vogrie Estate through exploration and discovery.

As well as the wider capacities of the CfE in encouraging effective contributions from all team members to guarantee success.This event contributes too many curriculum subject areas including Health and Wellbeing outcomes e.g;

Movement skills, competencies and concepts (HWB 21-22a), Cooperation and competition(HWB 23a)  and evaluating and appreciating (HWB 24a) These events are physical and mental challenges which naturally encourage  physical competencies and fitness but are also designed to  develop;

Cognitive skills  e.g. decision making, problem solving and creativity , concentration and develop Personal Qualities, i.e. motivation, leadership, communication, trust respect, tolerance and resilience.

Details for booking your team are above and have been  sent out to S6 coordinators , however you can also contact the team to declare interest now! don’t miss out on this exicting event.

Develop and Achieve Coaching Orienteering Sessions

seanfallon Outdoor Learning, Sean Fallon
Aim –
The aim of these coaching sessions is to support primary school athletes to develop skills which have already been introduced during the discover orienteering or elsewhere.   By offering these additional sessions we are helping athletes to enjoy orienteering and giving them a pathway to achieve in to the sport.
About Orienteering
There are many reasons to get involved in the sport from increased health and well being benefits to just having fun in wild places.  Orienteering is an inclusive adventure sport which offers great enjoyment through challenging and exciting training and competition opportunities. It is also a great family activity where you can have fun learning together.   You don’t have to be the fastest runner or the best navigator but you need the determination to develop skills in both areas.
These develop and achieve session will be supported by Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club as well as the Midlothian Outdoor Learning Services.
Dates and proposed venues
Group 1 –     (selected from the November Discover O sessions)
March – 10 (Dalkeith CP) and 17* (Penicuik Est),  24 (Bush Est)
Fridays 2pm to 3.30pm
*no transport available on this date.
Group 2 –      (selected from the March Discover O sessions)
April  21 (Bush Est) and 28 (Penicuik  Est)
Fridays 2pm to 3.30pm
All coaches will be British Orienteering Federation qualified and have a current PVG check. These sessions  will be insured by Midlothian Council.
Charges
FREE (Midlothian Outdoor Learning to cover any costs)
 
Entry prerequisites
Athletes in P5 to P7 are invited to join the Midlothian Develop and Achieve squad sessions.  The sessions are open to all but any pupil who have already been at a Discover Orienteering event will get priority.
Transport
Option 1 –  Parents/Guardians take responsibility for their own child’s transport
Option 2 –  Pupils are collected from the front of the Penicuik Leisure Centre and taken to the training and back at the end.  Not available on the 17th March. Transport will leave 15 mins before the session begins for Bush estate and Penicuik Estate and 30 mins before for Dalkieth CP.
If you would like to book a place or more information please contact Sean Fallon, Email sean.fallon@midlothian.gov.uk or phone – 01968 664117 or mobile 07786198407

CLPL course – Outdoor Learning Cards Staff Training

seanfallon Outdoor Learning

olc-headeer2

The Outdoor Learning Cards activities are an exciting and inclusive way to engage all levels and full classes in learning onsite or in local outdoor areas.  The course has been developed by The Outdoor Education Advisers Panel .  The activities contribute directly to a wide range of educational and development aims for young people and cover four elements of Outdoor Learning that can be delivered on a school/youth club site and surrounding environment:

Orienteering – developing good map reading skills
Team Building and Problem Solving – how to challenge your young people
Bouldering – Use of low level climbing walls
Journeying – Local visits organised by young people

Next Scheduled Course :  22nd May 2017.

Venue :  To be Confirmed!

Time : 0900-1600

STOP PRESS  – The first 10 applicants this year will receive their cards FREE!

Cost: £ 100.00 per Midlothian Council delegate  – includes all training & full set Outdoor Learning cards and handbook /CD

Booking : Via learnPro or complete the booking form and forward to  outdoorlearning@midlothian.gov.uk

olc-detailWe can also train school staff groups  in using these cards and ideas effectivley within there immediate school environment contact us for more information.

The Cards are supported by a Handbook and CD that provide detailed information on all aspects of activity delivery. All key elements for succcessful delivery are explored further in the 6 hour training course

Contact us if you would like a bespoke course delivered at your school/establishment.

We look forward to seeing you on our next course

Geology Days Rock for P7 (and some help from MOLE’s too)

billstephen Bill Stephen, Curriculum For Excellence, Outdoor Learning
Ancient Inhabitants
Ancient Inhabitants

We’ve had great few days out and about recently with Danderhall P7 classes . Our walks in the Pentland Hills  included some Geology tasks.  As well as our generic outcomes for Outdoor Learning we looked at wider related learning outcomes that linked in with Earth Science working back in the class using M.O.L.E’s. “Midlothian Outdoor/Online Learning  Environment ” to burrow in (get it !?) & review knowledge from the daygeology-learning-outcome-1

 

 

group-and-moles
One of the P7 Groups and one of the online knowledge review questions (MOLE’s)

Pupils undertook a journey through geological time and became geology detectives to view the landscape and learn about earth science and the Pentland Hills Geological history.

geology-outcome-2

The online environment (M.O.L.E.) allows pupils to  review the learning outcomes covered  back in the classroom.  This tool allows us to go beyond some of the “surface learning” as part of the “micro teaching session”and dig deeper to stimulate further class  discussion on the aspects of formative learning covered in the day. It can also help gather some further useful feedback from pupils and their level of engagement . These groups certainly seemed to have a good experience and judging by the knowledge review (14 questions)  some pretty successful results. Thanks for  great days out Danderhall P7 & we look forward to seeing all the results once completed.

You can access more information about our generic Outdoor Learning Plan by clicking here . Please get in touch if you want to use MOLE’s to review knowledge for your Outdoor Learning Day /Programme back in the classroom.geology-outcome-3

 

 

 

CLPL news – Introduction to Taking learning Outdoors (Primary)

billstephen Bill Stephen, Curriculum For Excellence, Learning and Teaching, Outdoor Learning

bushcraft-iconThe Introduction to Taking Learning Outdoors  (Primary) course will take place at Hawthornden Primary school on INSET day May 22nd 2017.

This course is a fantastic opportunity for primary staff who are looking to take their learning outdoors. Staff, with little or no experience of taking groups of children and young people to learn outdoors, are encouraged to take an introductory training course aimed at the age group with whom you work.

Training will give staff the confidence and basic skills to undertake outdoor learning in school/centre grounds and other local areas and develop ideas for outdoor learning.

Training is 6 hours, delivered in one day , and includes a mix of theory, practical(some time outdoors!) and discussion.

We are  hoping to get folks signed up early as this will be a well subscribed course – there is no cost – just bring yourself along and start getting outdoors and making learning connections across the curriculum areas. We will be inviting teachers to share some of their outdoor learning approaches and start to build strategy for outdoor learning.Staff training

Tutors (Rob Heasman –  Teacher – Hawthornden PS & Bill Stephen PT Outdoor Learning) will guide you through this course developed by Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education & Education Scotland.

Where : Hawthornden Primary School

What time : 0900-1600

What to Bring : Lunch, Outdoor Clothing & Rucksack/Backpack (for outdoor walk session)

Costs: free to all Midlothian Council Primary Staff.

How to Book – on learnPro or by completing the booking form at link here and email to outdoorlearning@midlothian.gov.uk