May 21, 2012
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Jupiter Wildlife Centre – 20th Aniversary Celebrations

We are lucky to have a Scottish Wildlife Trust urban wildlife centre along the road, very convenient, and we are doing lots of Inter Disciplinary Learning with a mix of S1-S5-6 classess. We have done lots of work over the years. The recent Twenty year celebrations allowed us to build mosiacs into bollards and a cool sign for the centre. We linked with all the local Primaries too. The S1 pupils gave up lunchtimes to design and make the mosaics with the Art dept, the S5-6 Gardening class dug, measured and laid out the bollards during their class time.

Mosaics from ~5 years ago.

Mosaics from March 2012.

Bowhouse primary bollard

Mosaic bollard detail

The large 2m-1m sign which was designed and laid out by the S1 Pupils, with help from the Artist in residence and the Art dept.

May 9, 2012
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BBQ Relish and Orienteering

Tonight we had an Orienteering session with the S3 Duke Of Edinburgh Bronze Award group. We were at Muiravonside, a country park 2 miles from school, so ideal. We used the permanent orienteering course with some controls missing from the January storms. The group, 16, worked well. They gelled after the session with the BBQ too, thanks Mr G for the loan of your Barbie – not the pink one… We could have stayed longer as more wanted to cook food. Some of the group were introduced to the joys of veggy sausages and BBQ relish !

We started by splitting into pairs then split into three groups. Each group did a ‘map walk’ learning about symbols, setting the map with a compass and recognising features on the ground. The we progressed to setting a route and following it. The each pair when out to a control then back to teacher for feedback. Then out to another control and repeat. once the pair and the teacher are happy with the skills learnt, each pair were sent out on the full course. It’s good for each pair to stick together, make decisions as a team, think about timing and distances.

May 8, 2012
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‘Just one Cornetto….’ – Canoeing Solo

The group tonight were enjoying working together, after a false start, and wanted to go much further towards Falkirk. But, time was running out, so we headed back to our base for the session, Action Outdoors. A few paddlers tried some solo paddling. Singing- just one cornetto, give it to me… (linky here), Tricky, as you have to do a special J Stroke with the paddle. Three of the group have now done 10+ sessions so can help peer coach others.

Aaron showing us good posture and balance for ‘Just One Cornetto’ gondolier style.

May 3, 2012
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Hot Rock

Tonight we were climbing and abseiling at Rosyth Quarry, an unused Dolerite quarry. It’s urban so has graffiti and some rubbish but it’s a good venue for an evening session. After 7pm twenty climbers were climbing about the quarry. We had it to ourselves from 4pm till then. The rock was hot to touch and burning till 6.10 when the sun went over the top and the Haar was lingering form earlier in the day and some of the group were chilly.

‘Spidey’ Aaron showing good bridging moves.

Miss L showing good, relaxed posture abseiling down after setting up the routes.

May 1, 2012
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Canoeing – Girls Only –

Tonight was the last night of two for a girls only group. We were on the canal at Linlithgow. Lots of boys not happy they couldn’t come but understood why we were trying to get more girls active when they realised lots of girls don’t do ‘active stuff’ out of Core PE. They had a real fight against the wind – challenge – on the way out on the journey, but rafting up helps counteract the wind but requires even better co-operation, teamwork and talking to each other ! Which some groups took ten minutes to get some synergy ! They were then successful learners progressing, so going to -wanting to give up and go home – to – laughing and having fun controlling a big raft – in half an hour gave a good session from Miss L and my point of view. We have good kit which fits children properly and makes a difference in colder weather. Great session. Brookbank Canoe shop is running a free taster session day so you can try lots of different kayaks and canoes out. Details here

Lots of very bright and scenic yellow rapeseed oil growing and giving off a lot of pollen just now, this can cause pollen allergies being triggered but windy weather helps alleviate it. Rapeseed oil is a healthy oil and has lots of good Omega oils. Although sunny and bright it was quite chilly. The girls enjoyed the rafting so much they wanted a MEGA raft at the end of all the canoes together. They were keen to go under a small bridge but were warned that the bridge narrowing on the canal creates a Venturi effect accelerating the wind.

I was trying some UKCC Level 2 Coaching to help get ready for my Level 2 Assessment, yes even teachers get assessed !

I managed to not talk for at last 5 minutes, hard. And just observed. Earlier in the day Mrs H was practising J Strokes which helped me too, as I did – Command, Self Checks, Guided Discovery, Flags and Markers – in twenty minutes and she managed to do the stroke autonomously. Giving too much feedback to quickly is a common error of coaching and possibly teaching.

April 29, 2012
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Canoe Camping at Loch Ard

Checked the wild camping spots we are going to use in May, for a canoe camping trip. The bluebells are starting to come out. Quite a bit of litter about, early in the season, so some was collected. Only a small poly bag’s worth.

April 24, 2012
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Sun, Singing and Surprises

We had an all girl group canoeing tonite. We are targeting as many as possible to help achieve a Lottery 2014 Sports grant criteria to promote Active Lifestyles for Girls and over 14 girls in particular. Apparently Sports Scotland research reveals that over 80% of over 14 yr old girls don’t do any sport or active activity. An older document highlights best practice here and more recent research Fit For Girls, here.

We had a mix of S2-S6 girls, the S6 singing songs. It was definitely a different ethos from a mixed group. Miss L was helping tonite, as usual. We borrowed the open canoes from Falkirk Leisure Trust Outdoor Team. One of the benefits of open Canoes is it promotes co-op learning and lots of communication, if you don’t work as a team you hit the banks, bushes or even maybe capsize ! Normally the first ten minutes are critical to get the knack of going straight, then turning. Great to get this so quickly so they see they can do it, are surprised, and be successful learners. Skills then progress through a journey.

The girls were keen to jump in but they realised how cold the water is still at this time of year.

Lovely sunny weather, zero wind. Union Canal near Linlithgow.

Having a refreshment, after the journey.

Miss L helping the group work out how to cross the raft of canoes and get back in without falling in !

The return journey, still large thunderstorms but we had checked the Met Office Rainfall radar on our mobiles at Falkirk. The storm clouds (cumulus nimbus) were hovering over the Stirling area.

April 10, 2012
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More Mosaics…

We were creating more Mosaics to add to the bollards at the Jupiter Centre. Over the next few weeks we will be working with the Ranger. Today the S1 girls and S5-6 boys were designing and building the mosaics ready for putting outside. The learners chose their own design and were coached through the process.

The Scottish Wildife Trust have bought in a mosaic teacher to help out. This is her example below.

March 29, 2012
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Climbing – Ratho Climbing wall, largest in the world

Emily cruising the SPEED route

A good group all working hard tonite, a mix of top roping, simulated leading and a quick bouldering session. We spoke to three chaps in their 20s who climbed at school in S1, so now still climb. This group tonite included some S2s who have climbed for a year now, they have progressed to confident, safe and have become experienced in coaching new pupils.

A blurry pic of Josh jumping off in the bouldering room.

Laura, Aaron and Emily cruising around in the bouldering room.

S2 Bouldering

March 29, 2012
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Jupiter Mosaics

As part of the Urban Wildlife Jupiter Centre’s 20th Aniversary Celebrations, some S1 girls designed Mosaics and the S5/6 Boys moved, set and cemented the pillars in. Today we started designing new mosaics. We used the Nature – flowers, leaves, minibeasts – and abstract elements to inspire the designs. Over the next few afternoons, we will design and build the mosaics. Maybe a BBQ at the last session.

Stephen, the Ranger at the Jupiter Centre, is leaving today. He has a new Job at the RSPB. He has done well supporting the learning of Grangemouth children.

Mosaic resources

Engagement

Spring has Sprung

Beetle Mosaics

Jupiter Board

Mosaic Sketching, cool shades.....