Teachers Units on Using the Environment
The units for teachers under the collective title of Using the environment were written by Margaret Collis, described in the preface to the books as “a valued friend of the Science 5/13 project” but not a member of the project team. She had written Using the environment as a result of her many years of working with and for teachers exploring the introduction of child-centred methods of exploring the environment. The material, divided into six parts, was published as part of the Science 5/13 Units.
Using the environment is about field studies. It deals with investigations and problems children encounter through their natural interests in their outdoor surroundings and investigate through their senses. It is four volumes with two volumes being divided into two parts: Early explorations, Investigations parts 1 and 2, Tackling problems parts one and two and Ways and Means. Although the units can be used as resources in any number of different ways, there is a sequence running through them. This begins with basic skills of observation, refined by counting and measuring, followed by more detailed investigations. Tackling problems takes the work into the interpretation of the results of investigations to arrive at concepts such as interdependence and relationships between form and structure. Finally Ways and means considers developing rich outdoor environments for study, particularly for long-term projects. It also offers help in organising expeditions and in equipping outdoor areas as resources for study.
Throughout there is detailed guidance about suggested activities and how to organise them. Also included are cautionary notes about safety and care of the countryside. As for other Science 5/13 units for teachers, each book includes the Objectives for children learning science and an index.
HEALTH and SAFETY
Any use of a resource that includes a practical activity must include a risk assessment.
Please note that collections may contain ARCHIVE resources, which were developed at a much earlier date.
Since that time there have been significant changes in the rules and guidance affecting laboratory practical work.
Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.
Using the Environment 2: Investigations Part 1
The Science 5/13 unit Using the environment 2: investigations part 1 contains many questions and suggestions designed to help children work actively and purposefully in depth. This is most likely to happen when children find something of particular interest. The focus of part one of this unit is to ensure that this interest leads…
Using the Environment 2: Investigations Part 2
The Science 5/13 unit Using the environment 2: investigations part 2 follows on from part one focusing on what and how children can investigate in the outside environment. The first three chapters are concerned with helping children to become more aware of the things that change: the weather, living things and the landscape. Two…
Using the Environment 3: Tackling Problems Part 1
The activities described in the Science 5/13 unit Using the environment 3: tackling problems are designed for children aged 9-13, when they are becoming more capable of thinking logically and begin to speculate about the causes of phenomena and how their ideas could be tested. The work described takes children and teachers beyond…
Using the Environment 3: Tackling Problems Part 2
The activities described in the Science 5/13 units Using the environment 3: tackling problems are designed for children aged 9-13, when they are becoming more capable of thinking logically and begin to speculate about the causes of phenomena and how their ideas could be tested. The work described takes children and teachers beyond…
Using the Environment 4: Ways and Means
The unit Ways and means, from Science 5/13, deals with the provision of facilities, equipment and raw materials children need for all stages of their outdoor investigations and for resulting activities on their return to school. While the suggestions for plants in the school grounds will remain appropriate he information provided…
Collection author
Resource by: Macdonald Educational
Collections
The collection is part of Macdonald Educational,Schools Council
- Science 5/13
- Teachers Units on Using the Environment
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