For teachers, this activity can be used to help deliver Es and Os in the CfE MNU curriculum at First  Level in Data and Analysis, MNU 1-20b

This activity is designed to help learners sort and categorise objects in the world around them and to use tally sheets to record what they have found.    Tally sheets can be found here  Tally Sheets – Natural and Man Made Objects

In an outdoor space, record what you see around you in 2 separate tables – one for natural objects one for man made objects.  There may need to be some discussion to establish what defines these two categories. Learners use to tallies to count up the numbers of objects they see around them.

There is an empty row in each table for pupils to add their own choice of object to observe and record.

Suggestions for assessment questions:

Can pupils say which category (man made or natural) had the most number of objects?  Can they give reasons for difference in number in each?

Which single object had the most number of observations?  Can pupils suggest why this was so common?

Can pupils pose a question that someone in their household would be able to answer using only the information that has been added to the tables?

What could a survey like this be used for?

Can pupils suggest different ways to show the information?

Can pupils suggest a different location where they would expect to find very different results if they completed a similar survey?

Take part in other surveys:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/live-lessons/big-schools-winterwatch-live-lesson/zv8vn9q  29th January, 2021 is a 30 minute live lesson with teacher and parent pack and materials.

https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources has many resources created to complement the RSPB Big School Bird Watch.