‘Nature Knows Best’
Year 2 pupils at Roberts Primary have taken part in an exciting eco project that has got them out of the classroom and thinking about the environment. Pupils have researched and planned trips away and designed solutions to the ‘eco-zone’, an area of school. Twenty pupils went to Cornwall for 2 days to research Barbara Hepworth sculptures in her Cornish garden, followed by a day at the Eden project. Many of these children had never been away from home before, let alone to the seaside. It was a real adventure but the children found it exhilarating and transforming. It has heightened awareness of the world around them.
"We learnt a lot about caring for the environment. I learnt that every 10 seconds a part of the rainforest the size of the Eden project is lost." Scarlett.
They saw and learnt about new things, for example Lewis said "I learnt to milk a cow and it was nice because we were not doing work at school, it's different to just writing in school all day”.
"Eden project are eco savers, and I like this world so not only is it good and fun for us, the world likes it too." added Scarlett "it felt good because I like to work outside and you want to do more work then.” Mackenzie said “I want to do it forever, thinking about changing the e-zone was exciting, I want to build it now."
Throughout the project pupils and staff have worked alongside Pablo Productions, learning skills in media from film to photography. Year 2 staff have found the learning journey a surprising and exciting one; they have learnt new skills to bring into their teaching, namely the use of powerpoint, green screen and filming to present and record ideas. Staff have loved working with the children when practitioners are in, the feeling of learning together is a welcome change.
“The children have owned the project from the start and it has been interesting for us to see the pleasure children have in designing and planning.” Member of staff
This project is very much research and ideas based, therefore pupils have had to develop their communication skills and build a knowledge and understanding of how to communicate and present their ideas to others. Throughout the project they have had many exciting experiences involving trips, model making, storytelling, photography, green screen, animation and creating their own radio adverts. These experiences have all helped to develop the children's confidence and skills.
Article written by pupils at Oldbury Wells School
