If, as teachers, we are to educate pupils about the environment we be aware of our environment and that of our pupils to maximise understanding.

Last week’s workshops consisted of a variety of activities. The activity I took the most out of was the sensory walk, it allowed me to explore areas of the campus I didn’t know existed and showed me the vast amount of green, open space in the University’s grounds. The sensory walk would be a great activity to conduct with pupils as no equipment is required. It can also be done at different points throughout the year and pupils could explain the differences they see in their environment as the seasons change. After the walk, many cross-curricular activities can begin, for example, writing a descriptive piece mentioning their senses.

During the directed study task, I learned that there is a much higher level of deprivation than I had imagined. I was aware that my town had obvious areas of deprivation but had no idea it was as bad as the statistics have shown. Last week’s classes taught also me that we need to care about the environment closest to us to care about the global environment, taking small steps make a big difference. For example, walking to the shops rather than taking the car.