Go with the flow at Muiravonside

The team

Taking children outside involves making dynamic decisions in terms of safety and learning. Our trip to Muiravonside illustrated this in terms of learning. We had gone to Muiravonside with the intention of doing some winter tree identification and some bush craft skills.  A walk through the farm changed this……………..

We recognised that the children were very interested in the animals. As colleagues we have co-taught long enough to be comfortable making quick decisions together in terms of changing the learning experience.  This can occur with very few words or even just a look! We suggested that the children ask a farm worker about the animals.

Initially they were shy but with support their confidence increased and they all asked many relevant questions. The answers were informative and we all learned new things as we moved from species to species. Everyone was impressed and grateful that others had time to support our unplanned activity at short notice.

Cute baby chicks

No spotted wild animals were seen – it’s just a hat!

The ability to be flexible and open-minded with learning allows new learning opportunities to be taken when they arise. The planned learning experience turned into one of ‘communicating with others in the community’ as pupil’s generated questions to find out information.

Of course being teenagers we had to go to the play park………………….

Muiravonside is a great and diverse place, providing imaginative learning opportunities. Pretty too………