I had the privilege of leading an inspiring session with my 9-year-old primary school students, where we delved into the world of outdoor learning. Together, we encouraged each other to share our unique perspectives and preferences on the joys of learning outside the classroom.
Read MoreObserving and understanding the ever-changing elements of weather can spark childhood creativity. Weather is not just a topic of discussion but a dynamic muse that can inspire the next great adventure. Weather watching can transform the landscape of children's stories in the classroom.
Read MoreAs an educator, there is a significant emphasis on getting children to write and then developing that writing through different styles and techniques. Within the classroom, there is only so much we can do to inspire and develop a zest for writing within our pupils, so by talking our writing outdoors and into nature, a whole host of new possibilities may arise. Read on to find out more.
Read MoreAs an educator, no matter how engaging your lesson often is, a classroom might feel a little oppressive and boredom-inducing after a while. To further develop yourself as a teacher and support the children as learners, it is essential to freshen up the learning with new and exciting ideas. Learning Outdoors might be one such option.
Read MoreAs part of my educational background and a key focus on the Outdoors and Outdoor Learning, I have been lucky enough to run several outdoor workshops for schools, adults and other education providers. My most recent workshop highlighted to others the significant potential and possibilities of taking learning into the outdoors.
Read MoreOutdoor residentials are vitally important for any child's well-being and educational development. In this post, I look at the effects of the COVID Pandemic and what impact this has had on residential visits overall and the importance of making sure they become an integral part of our school curriculum once things return to normal.
Read MoreHere is the second list of ideas in my series of Creative Writing prompts. The purpose of these writing prompts is to encourage both children and adults to get outside, be inspired by their natural surroundings and start writing. This time we focus on the Clouds.
Read MoreHere is the first list of ideas in my series of Creative Writing prompts. The purpose of these writing prompts is to encourage both children and adults to get outside, be inspired by their natural surroundings and start writing.
Read MoreLet’s write about the outdoors is my new initiative to get children writing about the outdoors. During this difficult time of self-isolating and homeschooling what better way to focus and develop our writing skills by writing about the outdoors. I have included writing prompts to inspire you to get writing and share your ideas.
Read MoreLearning with fun in a Creative Classroom allows all pupils to be themselves, take necessary risks to achieve and embrace the culture of learning in a fun and practical way. In this blog post, I hope to share some simple ideas on how you can make this possible.
Read MoreOutdoor activities and increased learning opportunities can have a significant impact on our lives. As a teacher, I know how important this is and within this new blog post, I hope to highlight the significance of these potential benefits. Read on to see if you agree.
Read MoreAs a teacher and outdoor enthusiast, I am continually looking for new ways to support and improve learning. This post highlights 3 great resources that can be used in the classroom and in the Great Outdoors, to help support and further develop personal development, as well as key learning skills.
Read MoreAn exciting Stone Age-inspired craft activity, that is ideal for all Key Stage 2 aged children, which can easily support any Stone Age Topic. It is a practical activity, and it can easily be implemented in the classroom or at home.
Read MoreDuring my own childhood and Primary Schooling, back in the 1980’s. I have very clear and distinct memories of how cool my school was. With my local Primary School being a diverse and exciting place, where I was not only lucky enough to be inspired by the world around me, but also by the bold and inspirational individuals who led us along this beautiful learning journey. One thing was clear, I really enjoyed learning from the Great Outdoors.
Find out more about the Surprising Benefits of Outdoor Learning in my new blog post.
‘Thoughts and Stories from the Great Outdoors’
Read MoreChildren should be embracing the outdoors.
My thoughts and response to the proposals set out by Education Minister Damian Hinds and his encouraging words about children utilising the outdoors as a creative learning tool. To learn in the outdoors and to incorporate good practice back in the classroom.
Read MoreIt is fair to suggest, that at some point in our lives we've all heard and possibly used the phrase 'I can't do it!' and as a result of adopting such an approach, it can often lead us into following a negative mindset and the distinct possibility of merely giving up before we have even really started.
Read all about my latest thoughts and why adopting a Growth Mindset with the outdoors, will bring overall positivity to your life and others around you.
www.garethmate.com
‘Thoughts and Stories from the Great Outdoors
Read MoreOne great thing about being a teacher is that you get to participate in some fantastic projects. Projects that are not exciting for you (the teacher), but also the children you are teaching.
Over the past few weeks my class has been excited about learning more about Prehistory and in particular life during the Neolithic and Palaeolithic periods.
Find out more about what we have been up to in my latest blog post. How to make Stone Age dwelling.
Read MoreIn pursuit of further developing creativity, I decided to present my class with another open-ended and creative task.
A task that would not only encourage the children I teach to work together, think expansively, but also build stronger levels of resilience and perseverance in order to reach and hopefully achieve a desirable goal.
Read on to find out more.
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