Some suggested curriculum links
This page sets out a few suggestions on how a visit to the Hurst could link
into the National Curriculum.
A visit to the Hurst Water Meadow provides opportunities for pupils to
- increase their knowledge and understanding of the natural world
- observe the diversity of both plant and animal species in compact
area
- look at various conservation and management techniques that are used
on the site
- enjoy the space and the freedom that this space allows
Use of language across the curriculum
- Writing - prepare a general information leaflet for visitors to the
Meadow
- Speaking - present an account of their visit to the whole school or the
class
- Listening - taking in information from the guide, answering and asking
questions
- Reading -information gathering on a range of subjects, wildlife animals,
conservation, history of the site, adventure stories
Maths
There are many activities that will promote the application of numbers and
the use of mathematical language. Collecting a variety of data for analysis back
in the classroom could form the main emphasis of a visit depending on the group.
- Describe where you are in number terms e.g. 10 steps away from the tree.
- Walk 20 paces forward (link directions north east south west)
- How many trees can you see?
- Estimating height and then calculating the height of a tree measuring the
girth of a tree.
- It is possible to look at the flow of water under the bridge playing 'poo
sticks'
Geography Geographical skills and enquiry
- Working with maps, identifying different land marks
- Mapping the journey-following the route, identifying different land marks;
buildings; recognising road signs.
- Talk about the flooding of the Meadow and how it has been controlled by
ditches, flood gates and weirs.
- The river Thame forms one of the boundaries of the meadow and erosion and
deposition are visible as well as man made erosion where fishermen have
their positions along the banks, The whole topic of water can be
started or finished here including the conservation of water and the
problems faced by people who live in drought conditions.
- The conservation and management practices undertaken on the Hurst can be
used to explain how and why change occurs and mans influence on the
landscape.
Science
Life processes and living things.
- Look at the different plants along the river bank the hedgerow and the
field. Using hoops record the number of different plants, different leaf
shapes, photograph each sample or use identification sheets.
- Look for and listen to the variety of birds and insects .Make recordings
using a tape recorder or record them visually using patterns to represent
the sounds.
- Use the beating and sweeping technique (nets, sheets and beaters) to
collect insect samples.
- Record results using graphs and, bar charts (link to Maths curriculum).
Care for the environment
- Respect and appreciation for the countryside and others.
- How we behave and how we expect others to behave
- Countryside Code
- Citizenship
Art and design
Children can be given the opportunity to record from first hand
experiences they can explore the shape, pattern and texture of natural
materials.
Children could make sculptures from natural materials on site, make their
own picture gallery at school and develop their field sketches.
Photographs could be used to inspire collage work and there are
opportunities to look at the work of artists and crafts ·from different
times in the Abbey
Using information technology
- Using the Hurst website to plan a visit.
- Building a simple website to record the project.
Managing hazards and risks
Children are required to learn how to:
- Recognise hazards and risks
- Minimize risks
- Use the information to assess risks
- Explain the steps they can take to control risks
- Before the children visit the Hurst they could consider how they should
behave and discuss the risks. They could write their own health and safety
guide lines.
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