P5-7 Take Learning Outdoors with DGOWL Workshop!
Today, our P5-7 pupils had an incredible experience as they took part in a family outdoor learning workshop led by Dumfries and Galloway Outdoor and Woodland Learning Group (DGOWL CIC). This exciting opportunity is part of a programme dedicated to promoting outdoor numeracy skills for parents, carers, and children across the region.
The workshop, facilitated by the talented Elizabeth Tindal and Shalla Gray from DGOWL, was filled with hands-on activities that brought maths to life through nature. Pupils split into two groups and explored concepts like measurement, symmetry, and grouping in fun and creative ways. Together, they:
- Measured and grouped natural materials found around the school grounds.
- Created a huge snake using sticks and other natural objects.
- Designed beetles using natural materials, exploring creativity and symmetry.
- Made symmetrical shapes with leaves, twigs, and stones, practising maths skills in a hands-on way.
- Worked collaboratively to make a giant “badger pizza” – a creative way to combine learning with teamwork!
We were thrilled to welcome several parents and carers who joined us throughout the day to share in the learning and the fun. It was wonderful to see families engaging with the outdoors, discovering how numeracy skills can be applied in practical and meaningful ways.
A huge thank you to Elizabeth and Shalla for their enthusiasm and expertise, and to our families for coming along to support this unique learning opportunity.
Check out the photos below!
We look forward to hosting more outdoor learning sessions in the future. Together, we can continue to inspire a love for learning, both inside and outside the classroom! 🌳✨
- UNCRC Rights of the Child:
- Article 5: Parents and carers supported their children’s learning by participating in the workshop, strengthening home-school connections.
- Article 15: Pupils worked in groups and collaborated with peers, parents, and facilitators, fostering a sense of community and teamwork.
- Article 28: Pupils accessed high-quality educational opportunities in an engaging, outdoor environment, enhancing their learning experience.
- Article 31: The workshop combined learning with play, allowing pupils to enjoy themselves while exploring and being creative with natural materials.
- SDG Goals:
- Goal 4: Quality Education – Promoting inclusive and equitable quality education through engaging, hands-on learning.
- Goal 15: Life on Land – Fostering respect for nature and biodiversity during outdoor activities.
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborating with DGOWL CIC to create impactful learning experiences.
- Meta-Skills Used
- Self-Management: Focus, integrity, and adaptability during group tasks.
- Social Intelligence: Collaboration, communication, and feeling skills while working in teams.
- Innovation: Creativity, curiosity, and sense-making in designing symmetrical shapes and creating natural art like the snake and beetles.
- SHANARRI Indicators Covered
- Safe: Working in a well-supervised outdoor environment, ensuring safety while exploring.
- Healthy: Engaging in outdoor activities that promote physical well-being and connection with nature.
- Active: Participating in practical, hands-on learning activities.
- Nurtured: Receiving guidance and support from facilitators, parents, and teachers.
- Achieving: Building confidence and skills in numeracy, problem-solving, and teamwork.
- Responsible: Caring for the environment and working respectfully with natural materials.
- Included: Encouraging collaboration and ensuring all pupils and parents felt part of the activities.
