#498: New from Bloomsbury - 100 Ideas series - "Greener School"

New out from Bloomsbury for September and looks to be useful...

I have a copy on order....

100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Greener School is the guide that schools need to implement and achieve their Climate Action Plans. Linking with the DfE Sustainability Climate Change Strategy, as well as the Eco-Schools' top ten topics and the Let's Go Zero Objectives, this is the essential book for creative activities that schools can use throughout the year to empower children and support teaching and learning of sustainability topics.

This book will equip primary teachers with practical ideas and knowledge of resources across a range of environmental topics, including litter, marine life, biodiversity, energy, school grounds and transport. It will cover how schools can reduce their waste, save money and even make money through practical campaigns!

With a foreword from Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE.

Update

Just arrived... will post a better review but this looks excellent with plenty of quick ideas to action.

#189: The Harmony Project

 Check out the Harmony Project.

The Harmony Project aims to transform education to ensure it is fit for purpose in preparing young people to engage with the environmental and social challenges we face, not just to pass exams. We work with educators to develop learning that is based upon a deep understanding of, and connection to, the natural world – learning that will equip students with the skills they need to live more sustainably.

The booklet they've created has been designed for primary teachers rather than GCSE students, but the ideas could easily be adapted, and that goes for much of the other resource library on the site.

We've created a booklet for #primaryteachers and #schoolleaders which outlines children's progression in expertise and skills from Reception to Year 6 across six key #sustainability themes. It's free to download from our website: https://t.co/WzA14VDmqB #climatechange #SDGs pic.twitter.com/JEfD2dYtC9

— The Harmony Project (@HarmonyOrgUK) November 8, 2023

Visiting the website revealed a whole range of other resources that would be of value to those preparing to teach the new GCSE but also existing subjects including Geography but also English and PSHE.

For example, there's a 90 page pack on Antarctica which has links to videos and other aspects of life on the frozen (for now) continent. This explores our connections with the continent.

Our Natural History is being impacted by change taking place in distant areas.

 

#24: Wildflowers for Primary Schools for the King's Coronation

I've set up a Google Alert for the term 'GCSE Natural History' and it sent me to a recent post from the Department for Education.

They are going to be sending Wildlfower Seeds to Primary Schools around the country.

According to the blog post:

This initiative is inspired by His Majesty the King’s commitment to the environment. Working with the Eden Project’s National Wildflower Centre, over 200,000 seeds packets will be sent to schools.

If planted together, around 40 rugby pitch sized wildflowers meadows would be created. The packets of seeds include native annual wildflower species, like cornflower, corn poppy and corn chamomile.

Planting the seeds will be an opportunity for children to engage with the natural world and learn more about the importance of biodiversity, as well as being a way for them to celebrate a historic national moment.

The Eden Project has produced some educational resources, and guidance on planting the seeds.

There is also a link to the new GCSE in Natural History which I am preparing resources for, and have a dedicated blog.

You can also join over 750 other teachers on our GCSE Natural History Facebook page.

As the post says:

We’re also developing a new Natural History GCSE which will enable young people to explore the world by learning about environmental and sustainability issues, and gain a deeper knowledge of the natural world around them.

This is all part of the development of a National Education Nature Park which is in the making.